Hemp is everywhere in today’s society.  And it has a host of positive benefits that can lend to our overall health.  But for many people, the confusion over hemp seed and CBD oil, leaves a lot of questions unanswered.  First off, let’s be clear.  Hemp seed oil is merely another carrier oil like sesame oil or coconut oil.  Therefore, it makes a great choice for massage therapists.  Hemp seed oil is usually derived from industrial hemp plants or the benign cousin of the marijuana plant and it contains no CBD or THC.

CBD oil, on the other hand, is derived from the cannabis plant, but it typically only contains miniscule traces of THC or no THC, the chemical that makes a person feel euphoric or “high”.  Cannabadiol (CBD) is one of over a hundred active compounds or cannabadiols found in the cannabis plant.  And while CBD oil has many health benefits as well, it is not the first choice of massage therapists, for many reasons.

Hemp seed oil, as mentioned, is a great choice for massage therapy.  For example, hemp seed oil is very nourishing to the skin.  It contains antioxidants and healthy fatty acids that are needed to keep the skin smooth, soft and supple.  Hemp seed oil is a powerful skin softener and moisturizer that doesn’t clog the pores.  This makes it a great choice for people with various skin conditions. 

How does hemp oil benefit your skin?

There are a number of skin care benefits that you can get from using hempseed oil, either topically or by consuming it.

Moderates oil production

Hemp oil is perfect for most skin types as it can moisturize without clogging your pores. It can even help to balance out oily skin, hydrating it and regulating the skin’s oil production.

Dryness can also cause your skin to overproduce oil, which in turn, can stimulate acne. Hemp oil can prevent dry skin without clogging pores. This helps reduce acne that’s caused by excess oil.

Moisturizes and soothes inflammation

One of the omega-6 fatty acids that hemp oil contains is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory while simultaneously encouraging skin growth and new cell generation.

This can help to calm inflammation and irritation on the skin, including acne and some conditions like psoriasis, while keeping the skin nourished and moisturized.

How is hemp oil used?

There are several methods you can use to get the skin benefits from hemp oil.

Topical use of hemp oil

The first method is to apply the hemp oil directly to your skin. This can work if you have immediate irritation or dry patches of skin that you want to soothe quickly.

Before using the oil, try a patch test to make sure you won’t get an unwanted reaction:

• Wash and dry a small area of your upper arm (such as the crook of your elbow).
• Apply a small amount of the pure hemp oil. (If using the hemp and essential oil mixture described below, test in a separate spot from the pure oil and at a different time.)
• Cover the spot with a bandage and leave it in place for 24 hours, being careful not to get the bandage wet.
• If any redness, burning, itching, or other irritation occurs, you can assume you’re sensitive to the oil and shouldn’t use it. If you have a reaction, remove the bandage immediately and wash the spot with soap and water.
• If you don’t see or feel any reaction, then the oil is probably safe to use.

If you’re using the hemp oil to treat acne and want to apply it topically, apply the oil directly to clean skin and leave it on for one to two minutes before washing it away with warm water.

What are the side effects and risks?

Hempseed oil is safe for most people to use and usually doesn’t contain any THC or psychoactive properties, although this has been widely disputed.

Using it topically, some people may experience mild irritation, so apply it to a small test patch of skin first (whether you’re using pure hemp oil or hemp oil diluted with essential oils).

Consuming hempseed oil may cause some negative side effects in some people:

• The most common side effect is loosened stools or digestive upset, which can occur as a result of the oily, fatty nature of the oil. To prevent this, start by taking a small amount of hemp oil daily and working your way up.
• Hemp seeds can interact with blood thinners by potentially inhibiting platelets, so before taking hempseed oil regularly, talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.

The absorption rate of hemp seed oil is another reason that many massage therapists like it.  A little hemp seed oil can go a long way.  Hemp seed oil dries slowly, spreads evenly and takes a little while to be fully absorbed.  This means that the massage therapist won’t need to keep applying oil to the patient, thus saving them time and money. 

As mentioned, hemp seed oil contains healthy fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6.  Each of these fatty acids have their own properties.  For instance, Omega 3 or alpha-linolenic acid, helps decrease inflammation, while also easing stiffness in the joints.  Omega 6 or linoleic acid, promotes moisture retention of the skin and assists with wound healing.  Linoleic acid also plays a crucial role in anti-aging of the skin.

Hemp seed oil also contains beta-caryophyllene, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.  This makes it a great choice for people who are suffering from aches, pains or injuries because it helps reduce inflammation throughout the body.  In fact, some studies show that beta-caryophyllene even reduces spinal neuroinflammation, which changes the signals being sent back and forth between the body and the brain.

When it comes to massage, there are a lot of choices for both you as the consumer and your massage therapist.  The type of massage and the tools being used are very important.  Hemp seed oil is just one of the tools available to massage therapists.  And as a consumer, you can always make requests that align with your needs and desires.  So the next time you schedule a massage, be sure to inquire what type of carrier oil they are using because it can make a difference.