Everything you need to know about HEMP
Author : Amal Rahiman
There is a lot of debate and confusion around Hemp. Hemp has found its way into the cosmetic world, gaining popularity one moisturiser at a time. It has also gained popularity in the superfood world, as the benefits of consuming hemp seeds seem to be growing day by day.
So why is the word Hemp a taboo word for some among us?
Because of its origins – the cannabis sativa plant.
The word cannabis brings with it a lot of confusion, some say it is a drug, thereby making hemp a drug as well.
But it is interesting to note that hemp is not a drug. It does not contain enough psychoactive components to term it as a mood-altering drug.
In this article we discuss everything that hemp is, and everything that it is not.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is derived from the cannabis sativa plant and is also known as industrial hemp. The drug cannabis is also derived from the same plant, causing hemp to undergo a lot of confusion and scrutiny.
However, hemp contains less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC). THC is responsible for giving you the “high” once cannabis is consumed. But having less than 0.3% of this component, hemp cannot get you high, and can thus be legally used.
It can increase your nutrient levels, but it cannot alter your moods as it is not a drug.
It contains higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) instead, which contains a plethora of benefits for the human body.
One of the many ways in which hemp can be used is by consuming hemp seeds. These are jam packed with protein, fibre, fatty acids, and antioxidants.
They are also a great source of vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc, and many much more – making hemp a superfood that can be easily added into salads or crushed and mixed into smoothies.
Health benefits of Hemp:
Healthy fats: A powerhouse of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp’s nutritional benefits cannot be ignored.
Protein: Hemp contains all the 9 essential amino acids, making it the perfect protein partner for vegans.
Packed with vitamins and minerals: Magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamin E, everything a human body would need to protect itself from harmful radicals.
Eases stress: Hemp oil has been known to reduce stress and help ease your anxiety.
Uses of Hemp:
Hemp has a multitude of uses. It is grown as a replacement for cotton, to make paper, to make medicinal oils, and as a superfood in the form of hemp seeds.
Hemp has been used as a substitute for cotton in making clothing items. It is more durable and lasts longer than cotton. It is also environmentally friendly, as it does not require the amount of chemicals required by cotton plants to grow. Hemp plants also help detoxifying the soil in the long run.
Hemp has also been used in the cosmetic industry, as cosmetologists rave about the moisturising and healing properties of hemp oil. CBD oil derived from hemp has also been proven to improve sleep cycles in this study.
Compared to other plants hemp is highly sustainable. The oil extracted from its seeds can be used in cosmetics; the cold-pressed remnants of these seeds can be used as animal feed; and the plant fibre can be used to make clothing, ropes, and canvas, making hemp a zero-waste plant.
Hemp vs Cannabis vs CBD vs Marijuana:
The reason hemp is a debatable topic is due to its close resemblance to marijuana.
But hemp is far from being marijuana, due to its significantly low THC levels.
Both hemp and marijuana come from a species of cannabis plant, called the cannabis sativa. Marijuana can also be derived from cannabis indica, or a hybrid of both.
CBD can be extracted from all three – hemp, marijuana, and cannabis.
Cannabis plants can be of either variety – cannabis sativa or cannabis indica – and from these varieties CBD can be extracted.
Hemp CBD has THC less than 0.3% whereas marijuana CBD has more than 0.3% THC, being the reason for getting people “high”.
Hemp has more CBD than THC, while marijuana and cannabis have more THC than CBD, thus making hemp CBD healthier and legal.
The health benefits of hemp cannot be ignored, and with its sustainable production, hemp can do a lot of good, that supersedes its debatable history.
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