Is Hemp Extract the same as CBD?

December 6, 2022

Written By: Earth Buddy Team

Earth Buddy 500mg Hemp Extract for dogs. Is hemp extract the same as CBD? Keep reading.

There are a lot of companies these days trying to sell CBD products. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which products truly provide the benefits you’re looking for. You may have noticed two common terms in your search, “Hemp Extract” and “CBD Oil.”

You may have also heard of the term “full-spectrum.” hemp extract or CBD oil. But, what do all of these mean? Is hemp extract the same as CBD? Here’s what you need to know and why it’s important when shopping for a cannabis product.

The Cannabis Sativa Plant

The Cannabis sativa plant includes two main species known as hemp and marijuana. Both plants contain both CBD and THC, although they are at different levels. Hemp contains high amounts of CBD with trace amounts of THC. The marijuana plant contains high amounts of THC with lower amounts of CBD. This is why CBD is generally extracted from the hemp plant to produce hemp extract or CBD oils.

What is Hemp Extract?

Organic Hemp Extract is derived from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis. Instead of a single-molecule CBD product, also known as isolate CBD, Organic Hemp Extract contains an array of naturally occurring terpenes and cannabinoids that promote the entourage effect. The entourage effect is what allows Full-Spectrum Organic Hemp Extract to work with the Endogenous Cannabinoid System, also known as the ECS.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol is the most abundant molecule in organic hemp. CBD compounds containing naturally occurring terpenes and cannabinoids are showing great promise for use as a daily supplement.

As the hemp plant begins to flower, they begin producing a precursor to CBD known as CBDa. Through supercritical CO2 extraction, Earth Buddy was able to derive a whole plant concentrate of CBDa and convert it through a process known as decarboxylation.

Hemp Extract VS CBD: Is Hemp Extract the Same as CBD?

At Earth Buddy Pet, Hemp Extract is our way of describing our product as a full-spectrum extract that does not process or refine the botanical compounds through the extraction process. 

This is a critical aspect of our product as it contains the listed amount of cannabinoids (see our lab results page), including CBD, CBG, CBDa, and CBN. In addition to the cannabinoids present, the full-spectrum extract also contains a variety of minor bioactive cannabinoids and terpenes. 

The largest difference between Hemp Extract and CBD oil is that Hemp Extract hemp oil contains compounds that work synergistically to encourage the entourage effect. 

We have heard this referenced as being like a football team. The quarterback is key in the game, but with the other players, they can more effectively reach the goal. The compounds in  cannabis plants work similarly. Although cannabidiol is the main compound responsible for efficacy, we want all the players involved to work together for the best outcome possible.

In CBD oil isolates, all botanical compounds are removed from the extract except cannabidiol. Although there are many people who do use isolates and claim great benefits, Earth Buddy believes in keeping the product as natural as possible. Many of the chemicals used to make an isolate are harmful to the environment and therefore could potentially be harmful to our pets, resulting in a less effective product.

 

Earth Buddy 1000mg Hemp Extract. Compare hemp extract vs CBD here.

The Differences in CBD Extracts, Distillates, and Isolates

We have now discussed the differences in products, but what about how the products are extracted? “Does that matter?” you may ask. Yes, it does. Different extraction methods yield different results. 

Extracts, distillates, and isolates are three terms that you’ll hear a lot when it comes to cannabis, and it all comes down to how the products were processed. 

The difference between extracts, distillates, and isolates can be confusing for many people. With so many products on the market and in your local dispensary, it can be hard to know what you are purchasing. The differences between these three products are important to understand if you want to get the most out of your pet’s cannabis experience.

What is an Extract?

When you hear “extract,” this generally means the product was extracted without anything being removed and contains all bioactive compounds without extensive processing procedures. Common extraction methods for Hemp Extract include supercritical Co2 or ethanol. These are reported to be most effective, even in small doses. This is beneficial because we aren’t necessarily searching for a product with the highest necessary dose. As pet lovers, we are looking for the smallest dosage with the highest efficacy.

Extracts are also known for their strong smell and flavor.

At Earth Buddy, we utilize Co2 extraction methods as opposed to ethanol to reduce the impact we have on the environment. 

How CBD Distillates Are Made

Distillates typically require an additional step in the extraction process following ethanol or Co2 extraction practices. This allows companies to remove or refine their desired smell or taste. This generally involves ethanol distillation to remove compounds from the natural portions of the plant. This includes the terpenes and low amounts of THC that were in the product prior to distillation. Some argue that this eliminates the ability of the entourage effect to occur and hinders the product’s ability to remain natural. Distillates also have little aroma and taste associated with them.

What is CBD Isolate?

Isolates take this a step further by adding another step in the product’s refinement. Chemicals, including hexane, pentane, butane, and others, are used to remove all compounds associated with the cannabis plant other than cannabidiol. This often produces a 99% pure CBD isolate. This is often lacking aroma and taste and research has shown these products often require higher dosages, are not as effective, and produce more side effects.

What Compounds are in Cannabis Plants?

To fully understand the difference between Hemp Extract and CBD oil, it’s important to get a grasp of how many compounds exist in cannabis. The cannabis plant has more than 400 different chemical compounds, which can be put into the following groups:

  • Cannabinoids: The chemical compounds that work with the Endocannabinoid system; there are over 100 different cannabinoids including CBD, THC, CBC, CBN, and CBG
  • Terpenes: Organic compounds that are present in a wide variety of plants worldwide; give each plant its own unique smell and flavor; also protect against fungal infections and/or harmful insects
  • Flavonoids: A group of phytochemicals that occur naturally in plants; give plants their distinctive colors and often have antioxidant qualities
  • Lipids: The cannabis plant contains lipid fats, plant lipids, and waxes in its natural state
  • Omega Fatty Acids: Cannabis contains omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids
  • Chlorophyll: A molecule that’s found in all plants and algae that is responsible for absorbing light from the sun

Are Hemp Extract and Hemp Seed Oil the Same?

Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract and hemp seed oil are both derived from the same plant, Cannabis sativa L., or industrial hemp plant. This means they share many of the same benefits, but they have differences in how they’re used and what they offer.

Hemp seed oil is not made from the whole plant, like full-spectrum hemp extract. Instead, hemp seed oil is made from the seeds of the plant. Hemp seed oil is also known as hemp seed meal or hemp nut oil because it contains about 50 percent protein and 20 percent oil by weight. This oil is most commonly used to enhance flavor or as a dietary supplement for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Does Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract have Psychoactive Effects?

Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract can contain THC, but it also contains CBD and other cannabinoids. The ratio of these components is critical for the effects of the product. THC does not go beyond 0.3% in Full Spectrum Hemp Extract. 

THC is the compound that causes psychoactive effects when consumed. It’s what gets you high, and it’s also helps with soreness, discomfort, and antioxidant. You can find THC in both hemp and marijuana, but the amount of THC in hemp is significantly lower than in marijuana.

CBD is non-intoxicating, and it may be beneficial to your pet’s health. It promotes a healthy inflammatory response, for example.

Check the Lab Analysis

The world of cannabis for dogs and cats is highly unregulated. So, it’s important to check the lab analysis of each product you’re looking at. The lab results document shows you exactly what was in your product when it was bottled. As the purchaser, this is your way of ensuring that the product’s claims are true.

You should also make sure the lab results come from a third-party lab. This eliminates bias and ensures the results have not been skewed in any way. You can tell which company the lab results come from based on the logo generally found at the top of the document. 



For further reading, we recommend the sources listed below.:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324885/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
  4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf052858j

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