Hemp has many benefits, but is often confused with marijuana or CBD. Although hemp, marijuana and CBD are all derived from the cannabis plant, they are not the same thing. Despite the common misconception, neither CBD nor hemp can get you high or intoxicated.
The use of hemp in today’s world is far from the plant’s greatest potential… Knowing the semantics of hemp, as well as its versatility and potential, is invaluable. First, one should fundamentally understand the difference between hemp, marijuana and CBD.
What makes hemp different?
The difference between hemp, marijuana and CBD lies in their chemical composition.
Marijuana
What exactly may be referred to as marijuana is determined by the laws of the individual countries in terms of legality and semantics. In Germany, any cannabis plant with a THC content of more than 0.2% (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that causes intoxication, is considered marijuana.
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most important active ingredients in marijuana. It is extracted directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. While CBD is a component of marijuana (one of hundreds), it does not cause a “high” on its own.
Hemp
Unlike marijuana, hemp is not a psychotropic drug. And unlike CBD, an extract from the seeds of the cannabis plant is used for hemp seed oil and not from the flowers, leaves and stems.
Advantages and possible uses of hemp
Here is a brief list of the benefits and possible uses of hemp before we take a closer look at the plant and all its splendor:
- Hemp can be used to make clothing, paper, ropes and other textile products.
- Hemp oil is often used in the kitchen for cooking and as a supplement, as it is rich in healthy fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Hemp can be used to produce building materials such as hempcrete and hemp fiberboard, which are lighter and more environmentally friendly than conventional building materials.
- Hemp can be used to produce bioplastics and biofuels.
- Hemp can be used to improve soil health in agriculture.
- Hemp is a fast-growing plant that requires little water and pesticides, making it an environmentally friendly option for many industries.
The possibilities offered by hemp are almost limitless. The use of hemp is not a new concept, as it has been used worldwide for over 10,000 years!
Hemp strings were reportedly found in pottery at an ancient village site that is over 10,000 years old and located in what is now Taiwan. Hemp has been used throughout history for pottery, food, textiles, medicine, paper and much more, which is similar to how hemp is used today, only with even more uses.
Advantages of hemp as clothing
Hemp clothing offers a unique combination of robustness, environmental compatibility and comfort. The robustness of hemp fibers ensures that hemp clothing is particularly durable and does not wear out or become damaged quickly, even with intensive use.
At the same time, hemp as a raw material is more environmentally friendly than many other materials, as it does not require the use of pesticides and herbicides. Added to this is the ability of the hemp plant to grow in different climate zones and thus save valuable resources.
Last but not least, hemp clothing is particularly comfortable to wear, as hemp fibers regulate temperature and moisture and also protect against odors and bacteria.
In summary, hemp clothing offers an environmentally friendly, skin-friendly and durable alternative to conventional clothing materials.
Hemp and nutrition
Hemp oil offers a healthy alternative to conventional cooking oils and can be used as a dietary supplement in various recipes. It is rich in omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that can contribute to overall health and well-being.
Although it is not suitable for frying, it is excellent as a refining agent in soups and starters or as an ingredient in sauces and dips. If stored correctly, hemp oil can also have a long shelf life, making it a practical and healthy addition to any kitchen.
Hemp is an excellent source of nutrition as it contains 31.56g of complete protein in just 100g, compared to 28.35g in 100g of grilled beef ribeye.
Hemp seeds are rich in vitamins B and E, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. These seeds help to protect the brain, which means that hemp can help with neurological conditions such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuropathic pain
- Seizure disorders in childhood
Advantages of hemp as a building material
In addition to its outstanding heat and moisture regulation properties, sound insulation and fire safety, it is also an extremely ecological and sustainable building material. Hemp is fast-growing, requires no chemical treatments and binds CO₂ over its entire service life. The energy balance during production is positive and the material can be fully recycled. Due to all these advantages, hemp is becoming increasingly popular as a building material and could play an important role in the construction industry in the future.
Hemp for the production of plastics
One promising application of hemp is the production of plastics, also known as hemp plastic or bioplastics. Companies such as Zeoform in Australia and Kanèsis in Italy are already producing bioplastics from hemp in limited quantities.
The advantage of hemp plastic is that it is biodegradable and therefore more environmentally friendly than conventional petroleum-based plastics. In addition, as a renewable raw material, hemp is much more sustainable and resource-friendly than petroleum.
However, the production of hemp plastic is currently still very complex, energy-intensive and expensive, so it will be several years before hemp plastic is established as a real alternative to conventional plastics. Nevertheless, hemp is already being used as a sustainable material in various sectors such as the automotive and construction industries, particularly as an alternative to fiberglass and other materials with low environmental compatibility.
Improving soil health
Hemp offers numerous benefits for soil health in agriculture. A study has shown that hemp is able to counteract the decline in biodiversity, as no synthetic pesticides are required during cultivation and the plant is an important source of food for bees.
In addition, hemp has a positive effect on the soil as it grows quickly and shades the soil, reducing water loss and erosion. The plant effectively combats weed growth and can be grown without herbicides, which also contributes to healthier soil.
Hemp can also be used as a pioneer plant for soil decontamination, as it is able to remove heavy metals from the soil. In addition, subsequent crops such as wheat and soybeans can benefit from hemp as a preceding crop and achieve higher yields.
Conclusion on hemp and its benefits
To summarize, hemp is an incredibly valuable and sustainable raw material due to its many uses. It is important to know the difference between hemp, marijuana and CBD in order to dispel prejudices and misunderstandings.
Unlike marijuana, hemp has no psychoactive effects and can be used in many areas such as the textile industry, the construction industry, agriculture and the food industry.
Hemp clothing, for example, offers a durable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional clothing materials, while hemp oil is rich in healthy fatty acids and antioxidants.
Hemp is a fast-growing plant that requires little water and pesticides, making it an environmentally friendly option for many industries. Overall, hemp offers many benefits and is a promising option for a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.