CBD and Hemp Seed vs. Fish Oil

Everyone can agree, nature is a powerful healer, offering a cornucopia of vitamin-rich ingredients that are easy to incorporate into everyday routines. However, with so many options at your fingertips, it’s easy to get confused about which one offers what and best aligns with your specific needs. 

One surprisingly common question relates to fish oil vs. CBD and hemp seed oil. After all, both can provide anti-inflammatory benefits and are even credited with boosting moods. However, there are key distinctions between fish oil, CBD, and hemp seed oil. 

Let’s take a closer look!

How CBD Compares to Fish Oil 

Similarities Between the Two

Rich in omega 3 fats: When comparing CBD vs fish oil, there are quite a few things you will find in common, starting with the generous amount of omega-3 fat found in both. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are not something our bodies can manufacture on their own but are necessary for our body’s to stay healthy. Therefore, we need to look to food sources and supplementation to fill this void. Both CBD and fish oil are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids that our body craves.

Anti-inflammatory: Numerous studies have been done on the anti-inflammatory benefits of both CBD and fish oil, finding that both natural options can reduce chronic and acute inflammation. By increasing the levels of omega-3s in cell membranes, you may be able to decrease discomfort and minimize the effects of certain inflammatory diseases, with symptoms ranging from back pain to fatigue. 

Enrich skin’s moisture: Both CBD and fish oil have become common anti-aging ingredients in skin care products that can help enrich the moisture level of your skin and lessen wrinkles and fine lines. However, when comparing fish oil vs. CBD for skin care, the latter tends to win out (for reasons we’ll discuss later). 

Reinforced mental focus: Not only do both these natural products help your body and skin, but they can have a positive impact on mental focus as well. Both fish oil and CBD have been found to boost mental focus and brain function. Omega-3s are vital for the maintenance of normal brain function throughout life. When your body has enough of this vitamin it facilitates communication between brain cells and improves overall brain function. 

Key differences between CBD and Fish Oil

Although there are significant similarities between CBD and fish oil, there are also major differences that may sway you toward one or the other. 

CBD helps with pain relief: Science has set the stage - CBD is well known for pain relief that most other natural supplements can’t match. Despite having anti-inflammatory properties that can assist in pain, fish oil lacks the pain relief assets that go hand in hand with CBD. CBD can assist with a wide-ranging types of pain, from menstraul cramps to neck and shoulder pain.

CBD is more diverse in its skincare application: When it comes to your facial products, let’s be honest here; no one wants to put fish oil on their face and smell fishy as a result! CBD has far more diverse applications for skin and body products, ranging from bath bombs to pain rollers, and anti-aging moisturizers and CBD-enriched facials. The options with CBD products are nearly endless. By comparison, fish oil primarily comes in pill-form. 

CBD is easier (and tastier) to add to recipes: Technically, fish oil can be added to food and drinks. However, you'll be hardpressed to find recipes, as it's distinct fishiness doesn't do much to elevate most dishes. Comparatively, there's an increasing number of recipes that cater specifically to CBD oil. Our favorite? Adding the subtle earthiness of CBD to complete an anti-anxiety smoothie.

Fish oil is significantly cheaper: If you find CBD at the same cost as fish oil, run for the hills, as a too-good-to-be-true price tag is a sign of fake or subpar CBD. This is because high-end CBD is a labor-intensive ingredient to harvest. 

So, in the battle of fish oil vs. CBD, the former is an excellent choice if you are looking for a daily pill that provides beneficial fats that can benefit overall health, and also want to save money. CBD wins out over fish oil if you want those same benefits but with the added benefits of more diverse applications and pain relief.

How Hemp Seed Oil Compares to Fish Oil

If you are still not on the CBD bandwagon and are looking for an alternative oil comparable to fish oil, let’s take a look at hemp seed oil. There can be confusion about whether CBD is the same thing as hemp seed oil, and it most definitely is not (though some products contain both). Each has its benefits, which are explained here

Similarities between hemp seed oil and fish oil

As we discussed earlier, hemp seed oil and fish oil contain the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that our body needs to stay healthy. Also, not shocking, both are known for providing anti-inflammatory benefits that can assist with helping your body fight illness, and disease, while decreasing discomfort. 

Key differences between hemp seed and fish oil

The fundamental difference between hemp seed vs fish oil is where they come from. Fish oil is taken from oily fish such as herring, tuna, mackerel, and anchovies. Hemp seed oil originates from the edible seeds of the hemp plant, where the seeds are harvested and cold-pressed to extract the oil. Depending on the plants from which the hemp seed oil is harvested, it is less likely to have contaminants than fish oil. 

Hemp seed oil has more all-around benefits partially due to the optimum ratio of omega fatty acids that it contains, along with providing additional vitamins and minerals than fish oil lacks. These include A, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 

Let’s be real here – who wants to put smelly fish oil on their face? My guess is no one. Hemp seed oil is a beneficial ingredient for skin care use and is included in many skin care products today. Coming from a plant-based source, hemp seed oil is vegan-friendly and contains more vitamins and minerals than fish oil.

Get First-Rate CBD and Hemp Seed Oil with Botanika Life

Reduce wrinkles and fine lines while hydrating your skin with Botanika Life’s Elite Elixir. With organically farmed hemp seed oil and 1500mg of full-spectrum CBD, your skin will feel moisturized and replenished with this invigorating natural blend. 

 

 

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.