4 benefits of hemp supplements for your well-being
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Caley Scott, ND
Wellness consumers have flocked to the hemp scene, mainly due to hemp cannabinoids’ ability to interact and bind with receptors in the endocannabinoid system. In this article, we will discuss the science of cannabinoids, along with 4 benefits you may notice once a hemp supplement is incorporated into your daily routine.
How do hemp supplements interact with the endocannabinoid system?
Hemp supplements interact with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies, specifically with CB1 and CB2 receptors. The nature of this interaction depends on the type of cannabinoids present in the hemp product.
CBD, for example, binds loosely with CB1 receptors located primarily in the brain and the central nervous system that branches throughout the body. It also engages more directly with CB2 receptors, which are found in major organs, skin cells, and structures of the immune system.
The endocannabinoid system responds to forms of environmental stimuli and stress in order to maintain a state of balance in the body. CB1 and CB2 receptors are related to mood, memory, metabolism, appetite, sleep, and more — which is why hemp supplements can offer such a diverse array of potential benefits.*
So, we know that CBD has the ability to subtly interact with both receptor types without a strong, direct bond — which means we get to experience the benefits of Cannabis sativa without the intoxicating, psychoactive high. Instead, we get powerful wellness support from the cannabinoids. They act like endocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring neurotransmitters that work hard to keep us functioning and feeling how we are supposed to.*
Part of balancing our ECS is making the most of these endocannabinoids while also utilizing phytocannabinoids, like CBD.
The more variety we get from our hemp supplements — utilizing different parts of the hemp plant, cannabinoid ratios, and other secondary ingredients — the more resilient and balanced our endocannabinoid system will be.*
This is the essence of the entourage effect, and why it’s important to look beyond basic hemp supplements to find the best CBD products containing a variety of cannabinoids and plant material. Remember that Cannabis sativa L. is a complex plant loaded with beneficial sulfur compounds, terpenes, and more.
The most effective hemp supplements go beyond the basics and draw from fibers, flowers, and other available materials to provide optimal results for users.
How can hemp supplements benefit you?
We’ve found that hemp supplements help the endocannabinoid system in different ways, adapting to the challenges of each moment. Cannabinoids interact with receptors and support neurotransmitter activity to keep our bodies and minds in balance — especially when facing stress and changes in our environment.*
Understanding the role of the ECS is a good starting point, but what are some practical ways that hemp supplements can support your daily routine? Let’s examine the top benefits of plant-rich hemp supplements to see how they match your lifestyle.
1. Help ease feelings of tension
Dealing with tension is a part of life, whether you’re pursuing professional goals or pushing yourself in physical training. But when tension becomes too much to bear, it can pose a threat to our well-being and prevent us from doing what we want.
Incorporating the right hemp supplements into your routine is a natural, sustainable way to help ease feelings of tension when they arise or preemptively ease tension in moments when you need some extra support.
Many of us experience tension in the neck or shoulders when seated at a desk for long periods, or experience tense muscles from difficult workouts or on-your-feet jobs.
Maybe you only experience tension when traveling or when facing stressful life events. For others, tension might be a daily trial that requires constant vigilance. However tension appears in your body or mind, introducing hemp supplements into your everyday routine can bring you back to a balanced, relaxed state — while keeping you engaged and performing at your peak.*
Our Full Spectrum Neuro Water Soluble is our favorite hemp supplement for mental focus + clarity, with a powerful blend of essential oils, CBG, and CBD, of course. This gives you a mental edge when tension starts creeping in.*
2. Soothe feelings of discomfort
Even the slightest bit of discomfort can cause distraction and frustration, or take us away from the present moment. Some degree of discomfort is expected in daily activities and work-related tasks, but if these sensations become overwhelming, they may limit us from doing what we enjoy.
Some of us experience physical discomfort in our muscles, joints, tendons, or other areas of the body. Hemp supplements offer a natural route to reducing these uncomfortable sensations, allowing you to move more fully and freely.*
3. Support overall emotional wellness
With hemp supplements, you have a safe and sustainable way to smooth out the emotional ups and downs. Hemp compounds work in this way by supporting the ECS receptors that effect mood and physiology. Many users report feeling fewer instances of acute discomfort and are better able to manage emotional and mental stressors when they do arise.*
Emotional resilience is key to health, happiness, and overall well-being. The ability to weather the storm of negative emotions while staying focused and productive is how the high achievers of the world stay on top of their game.
Hemp supplements may not part the clouds of negativity or offer endless optimism, but they will support your body’s natural ability to remain stable, grounded, and engaged with the task at hand. With balanced emotions and a sense of internal stability, you can overcome challenges with more confidence and enjoyment.*
4. Help support sleep
Sleep struggles are nearly universal in our world, even as we learn more about optimal sleep hygiene and strategies. If you’re doing all the right things — exercising, avoiding screens before bed, and so on — you may wonder why it’s still hard to fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling refreshed.
While many people turn to prescription medications or melatonin to get to sleep, these short-term solutions don’t benefit you in the long term. Instead, hemp supplements can support the endocannabinoid system to unlock full restoration and overall healthy sleep cycles.*
CBD + CBN are two cannabinoids thought to improve sleep latency (how fast it takes to fall asleep) and quality. The best hemp supplements for sleep pair CBN with CBD and other soothing plant compounds to give you natural, lasting sleep support that doesn’t leave you groggy the next day.*
How long does it take for hemp supplements to produce benefits?
When taking premium hemp supplements in the proper amounts, you may notice benefits as soon as 15 minutes depending on the delivery method you choose (this could be gummies, tinctures, water solubles, or inhalables). But many factors influence how CBD and other compounds will affect your system, such as metabolism, diet, environmental factors, and whether or not you’ve consumed cannabis products before.
Because the ECS is so deeply embedded in the many systems of the body, it’s hard to tell exactly how long it will take to notice benefits. For baseline expectations, we tell our customers to take their supplement every day for three weeks before deciding if it's making a difference. This allows plenty of time for the receptors to be exposed to the new cannabinoids.
Like so many things in the world of cannabis and wellness, everyone will have slightly different benefits from their hemp supplements. Our recommendation is to be patient, stick to your regimen (even if you aren’t noticing changes right away), and closely track your amounts and how to feel every day.
Do hemp supplements contain THC?
Most hemp extracts are true to their name in that they are derived from hemp rather than THC-rich marijuana. This means that only a small amount of THC — 0.3% by dry weight, to be exact — will be present in standard hemp products.
Although every hemp supplement is different, of course, Sunmed uses third-party testing to produce lab reports for every batch of formula we make. With these certificates of analysis, you can pinpoint the concentrations of major and minor cannabinoids in each hemp supplement, plus terpene content and other info. You will confidently be able to determine if there is any THC in the supplement and confirm for yourself that it’s free from pesticides, contaminants, and other harmful materials.
Part of designing the perfect CBD regimen is determining which compounds work best and taking them at the right times for the best results. Our mission is meant to help you develop the best routine for your needs with the highest quality hemp supplements.
Are hemp supplements and hemp seed oil the same thing?
Hemp supplements and hemp seed oil supplements are not the same, though the similarities in name can cause some confusion.
Hemp supplements usually refer to products emphasizing CBD and other cannabinoids, depending on the formulation. Cannabinoids are the main event in hemp supplements, which may also be called hemp extracts, or simply CBD oil.
Premium hemp supplements use the entire Cannabis sativa plant — including the leaves, stalks, stems, and flower. Keep in mind that THC may be present in some hemp supplements, but goods with higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol are usually called dispensary or recreational products to differentiate them from wellness hemp substances.
What is hemp seed oil?
Hemp supplements cover a wide range of possible products, but the goal is to deliver cannabinoids to the system for therapeutic benefits. Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, is the name typically used for products that extract nutritional content from the actual hemp seeds of the plant.
Cannabinoid content in hemp seed oil is almost non-existent, and it has minimal impact on the ECS. While hemp seed oil can contain useful fatty acids that provide health benefits for cholesterol or blood pressure, you won’t get the unique effects of the cannabis plant from these products.*
The health benefits of hemp seeds are well studied in the healthcare field, and many people eat hemp seeds as a source of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. It’s comparable to flax seed in many ways, with vitamin E, potassium, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Others take hemp milk or hemp protein powder, while hemp seed oil is a highly concentrated oily liquid often taken via gel capsules.
If your goal is to boost antioxidant intake or improve your heart health with essential fatty acids, hemp seed oil offers a balanced, vegan source of nutritional value. However, you should view this as more of a superfood supplement, and use third-party-tested hemp extracts to get the benefits of cannabis for the ECS.
The bottom line:
Cannabinoids found in hemp supplements are powerful wellness tools, whether one is looking to ease feelings of tension, keep discomfort at bay, boost sleep quality, or increase emotional well-being.*
Be sure to check out Sunmed’s line of modern wellness products — including soft gel capsules, tinctures, water solubles, gummies, and our best-selling topical relief cream.
Sources:
The endocannabinoid system as a target for therapeutic drugs | Science Direct
Cannabinoid tolerance and dependence: a review of studies in laboratory animals | NIH
Defining Hemp: A Fact Sheet | Congressional Research Service
Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabis | Permanente Journal