Does hemp oil contain THC and CBD?

Hemp oil, extracted from the seeds, is a valuable source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and other nutrients in the daily diet. Its nutritional and therapeutic value, however, may also be attributed to its cannabinoid content, which, although present in only small amounts, is still there.

In a 2019 study, several cannabinoids were detected in hemp seed oil, allowing researchers to identify differences in their chemical composition. Although CBDA and CBD While these are the predominant cannabinoids in the ten oils studied, 20 other «minor» cannabinoids have been identified, including the canna-bielsoin (CBE), CBD, THC, and CBG derivatives, or CBD analogs, THC and CBG with different lengths of the alkyl side chain.

Although the cannabinoids account for a small percentage of the components of hemp seed oil (proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, etc.), the results obtained by the study suggest that they actively contribute to the chemical variability of the final product. Given that each cannabinoid is responsible for a specific biological activity, it could contribute to the effects resulting from the consumption of hemp seed oil.

Nevertheless, the study’s results indicate that all cannabinoid levels were below 5 ppm, which is considered the dietary limit for THC recommended by German law—the most restrictive legislation on this matter. These low concentrations could have relevant nutraceutical effects, but it is difficult to determine the actual pharmacological evidence given the limited scientific studies regarding the minimum effective dose of cannabinoids. Apart from THC, there are no guidelines regarding the maximum daily dose of known cannabinoids that can be consumed by a single person.

By the way, some previous work have reported that even consuming hemp seed oil with a low THC content can result in a positive cannabinoid test in urine.

The study concludes that «although it is not possible to explain the extreme pharmacological versatility resulting from the combination of all cannabinoids, the analysis and identification of as many of them as possible in each sample of hemp seed oil is crucial to harnessing the full potential of this unique food product for human life and well-being.».