Hemp oil benefits
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Benefits of Hemp Oil: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Hemp Oil Benefits
Hemp oil, derived from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant, is gaining recognition for its numerous health benefits. Rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds, hemp oil is used for various therapeutic and nutritional purposes. This article synthesizes the latest research on the benefits of hemp oil, highlighting its impact on stress resilience, liver health, cardiovascular function, and more.
Stress Resilience and Mood Improvement
Hemp Oil and Stress Resilience
Research indicates that hemp oil can improve stress resilience and mood. A study involving overweight but otherwise healthy individuals found that daily supplementation with hemp oil extract significantly improved HDL cholesterol levels and showed tendencies to enhance perceived life pleasure and stress coping abilities1. Additionally, improvements in sleep quality and quantity were observed, suggesting that hemp oil may support overall mental well-being1.
Hepatoprotective Effects
Hemp Seed Oil and Liver Health
Hemp seed oil has shown promising hepatoprotective effects, particularly in the context of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In a study on mice with diet-induced NASH, hemp seed oil improved hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The oil's beneficial effects were linked to the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including TNF, IL-17, MAPK, and NF-κB, which are crucial in the pathogenesis of NASH2. These findings suggest that hemp seed oil could be a potential therapeutic option for liver diseases.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Impact on Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Hemp oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic and α-linolenic acids, which are known for their cardiovascular benefits. Studies have shown that hemp oil can lower cholesterol levels and decrease high blood pressure, contributing to overall heart health3. In obese male Zucker rats, hemp oil supplementation reduced HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid peroxidation, indicating its potential to improve vascular function and reduce cardiovascular risk factors7.
Antioxidant Properties
Hemp Oil and Oxidative Stress
The antioxidant properties of hemp seed oil are well-documented. In a study on Drosophila melanogaster larvae, hemp seed oil was found to maintain redox status and provide protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress at certain concentrations6. The high levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in hemp oil are believed to be responsible for these antioxidant effects, highlighting its potential in preventing oxidative stress-related conditions.
Nutritional and Therapeutic Uses
Hemp Oil as a Nutritional Supplement
Hemp oil is a valuable source of essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent nutritional supplement. It has been shown to support gastrointestinal health, neurodegenerative disease prevention, and cancer prevention due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds4 8. Additionally, hemp oil enriched with CBD and other bioactive compounds is used therapeutically for conditions such as pain, inflammation, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders8.
Hemp Oil in Osteoarthritis Management
Hemp seed oil, combined with terpenes, has been found to be effective in managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). A study comparing two dietary supplements—one containing only hemp seed oil and the other containing both hemp seed oil and terpenes—found that the combination significantly improved joint pain and function in KOA patients10. This suggests that hemp oil, particularly when combined with other bioactive compounds, can be a valuable complementary treatment for osteoarthritis.
Conclusion
Hemp oil offers a wide range of health benefits, from improving stress resilience and mood to protecting liver health and supporting cardiovascular function. Its antioxidant properties and nutritional value make it a versatile supplement for promoting overall well-being. As research continues to uncover the therapeutic potential of hemp oil, it is likely to become an increasingly important component of health and wellness regimens.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effects of Hemp Extract on Markers of Wellness, Stress Resilience, Recovery and Clinical Biomarkers of Safety in Overweight, But Otherwise Healthy Subjects
Hemp supplementation improved HDL cholesterol, tended to support psychometric measures of perceived sleep, stress response, and perceived life pleasure, and was well tolerated with no clinically relevant safety concerns.
RCTIntegration of transcriptomics and metabonomics revealed the protective effects of hemp seed oil against methionine-choline-deficient diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.
Hemp seed oil shows potential as an effective therapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by improving liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyA comparative study of seed yield and oil composition of four cultivars of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) grown from three regions in northern Iran
The best cultivar and region for hemp oil production in Iran are native populations, with Alborz province showing the highest oil production and linoleic acid content.
A Review of Hemp as Food and Nutritional Supplement.
Hemp, a valuable crop with numerous uses, offers health benefits and nutritional benefits when consumed as food or supplements, with CBD showing potent anxiolytic, spasmolytic, and anticonvulsant effects.
Literature Review
Highly CitedHemp in Veterinary Medicine: From Feed to Drug
Hemp and its derivatives show excellent nutritional and health-promoting properties in animal nutrition and therapeutics, with potential benefits for conditions like pain, inflammation, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and nausea.
Antioxidant Activity of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae under Non-Stress and H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress Conditions
Hemp seed oil effectively reduces oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster larvae, potentially aiding in the prevention and treatment of reactive oxygen species-induced conditions.
In Vitro Study
Rigorous JournalThe Effect of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seeds and Hemp Seed Oil on Vascular Dysfunction in Obese Male Zucker Rats
Hemp seeds and oil both improve vascular function in obese male Zucker rats, with ground hemp seeds being more beneficial than oil.
Very Rigorous JournalHEMP IN VETERINARY MEDICINE: FROM FEED TO DRUG
Hemp and its derivatives show excellent nutritional and health-promoting properties in animal nutrition and therapeutics, with potential benefits for conditions like pain, inflammation, epilepsy, anxiety, and nausea.
Comparative study of different extraction processes for hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil considering physical, chemical and industrial-scale economic aspects
Ultrasonication treated Soxhlet process is the most beneficial extraction method for hemp seed oil, offering maximum yield (37.30%), optimum -6/-3 ratio, and suitability as bio-fuel.
Highly CitedHemp Seed Oil in Association with β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Ginger Extract as a Nutraceutical Integration in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Prospective Case-Control Study
Hemp seed oil and terpenes combined show greater effectiveness in improving joint pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared to a hemp seed oil-based dietary supplement alone.
RCT