What Is Hemp Seed Oil, and Does It Act Like a Drug?

Hemp seed oil is a natural supplement derived from plants grown to contain very little psychoactive THC. It contains hundreds of beneficial nutritional compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids and skin-nourishing GLAs. Since hemp oil is not created from THC-rich cannabis plants, it cannot be classified as a “drug” and is extremely unlikely to cause you to test positive for THC use on a drug test.

The name “hemp” is a clue as to why products created from its oil are not psychoactive or considered a drug. Hemp differs from cannabis grown to produce THC and other mind-altering cannabinoids. It is considered an industrial product, used for its fibers, oils and other by products.

Depending on the area in which you live, the classification requirements for “hemp” as opposed to cannabis or marijuana may differ. For instance, in Canada “hemp” refers to any plant varietal that contains less than 0.3% THC in its leaves or flowering heads.

People looking for a healthy way to improve their diet and their appearance can therefore enjoy hemp oil without worry. Although cannabis grown to produce psychoactive medicinal and recreational products has plenty of benefits of its own, hempseed oil can be considered in a category unto itself.

Learn more about “what is hemp seed oil?” and similar questions by looking at the eye-opening information below.

What Is Hemp Seed Oil?

Like its name sounds, hemp seed oil — sometimes called “hempseed oil” — is created using the seeds of a hemp plant.

Hemp and the cannabis you find at marijuana dispensaries are the exact same species of plant (Cannabis sativa), but the plants themselves have clear, distinctive differences. While THC-containing cannabis is grown to maximize production of THC within flowering buds, hemp is grown to maximize seed and fiber production.

The stalks of the hemp plant are incredibly thick and fibrous, creating raw materials that can be used for clothing, rope, insulation, and more. Hemp therefore grows tall and stalky, looking way different than bushier cannabis plants.

Another huge difference is that commercially-grown psychoactive marijuana is produced in such a way that avoids fertilization and the production of seeds. When a female marijuana plant produces seeds, it decreases the amount of cannabinoids created while making the flowers harder to consume as a drug.

Hemp, on the other hand, is grown to be chock full of seeds, which are useful for their ability to create oil — among other things.

What Are the Main Types of Hempseed Oil?

Producing oil from hemp seeds can be done through a few different methods.

The method that keeps the most nutritional value of the seed intact is called “cold pressing.” Cold pressing uses equipment to place the seeds under high-pressure that forces oil out of the seed.

You can also extract hemp oil by heating the seeds or placing them in a type of solvent, but these methods tend to damage beneficial proteins, oils, fatty acids and other compounds.

Cold-pressed hemp oil extracted from single-plant sources can provide the best nutritional benefits while retaining a more pleasant and palatable nature thanks to compounds remaining intact.

Note that oil produced from hemp seeds differs from oil produced using the flowering parts of marijuana plants. The latter product is often called “cannabis oil,” “hemp oil,” or “hash oil,” and it can contain moderate to high amounts of THC depending on how it was produced.

Is Hemp Oil a Drug?

Many people may wonder “is hemp oil a drug?”

Oil made from hemp seeds is non-psychoactive, but there are products labeled as “hemp oil” that can be psychoactive, so use caution when buying if you want to avoid consuming THC.

Under Canada Law, all hemp products including hempseed oil are not considered illegal or a controlled substance. They can be sold and consumed freely within the boundaries of typical food additives, oils and nutritional supplements.

In the United States, hemp seed oil is similarly uncontrolled, legal to purchase, and free to be consumed by all. However, since growing hemp is currently illegal in the U.S., all products must be imported or produced using imported base materials.

Can Hemp Seed Oil Show Up on a Drug Test?

By definition, oil and other products made from industrial hemp contain only the barest amount of THC.

“If a laboratory-tested hemp product did happen to contain trace amounts of this compound, it would be in such small quantities that it would likely require exorbitant amounts of ingestion or use for it to even remotely begin to show up in the smallest amount on a drug test,” asserts Leafly.

One study in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology did reveal that it is possible for THC acquired from consuming hemp seed oil to show up on a drug screening, but the amount detected was minuscule. It would be unlikely to count as a “fail” for a drug screening unless the test-taker had a zero-tolerance threshold.

This assertion presumes that any oil you are consuming is made from industrially grown hemp seeds as opposed to THC-containing cannabis, so check the label and sourcing of any hempseed oil products carefully before consuming.

What Are the Uses of Taking Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp seed oil contains high levels of nutritional compounds known to benefit immunity, heart health, health for your skin and hair, and more.

Many people take hemp oil by the tablespoon as a daily supplement to boost their health.

Others use it much as they would a cooking ingredient. They drizzle it on salads, mix it in with baked goods, or cook foods in it on low to medium heat.

You can also apply the oil of hemp seeds directly to your skin or hair to moisturize.

Or, you can do all of the above! Part of the wonderfulness of hemp oil supplements is how versatile they are.

Namaste!