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Hemp Seed Oil

Cannabis sativa
Evidence Level
Limited
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of low-THC industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa). It is a food oil rich in two essential polyunsaturated fats, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3), with a smaller amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It is not a source of EPA or DHA, and humans convert only a limited share of ALA into them. FDA has said that hemp seed ingredients, including hemp seed oil, contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD and cannot make people high, so it is a different product from CBD oil. Human research is small: in a crossover study in people with atopic dermatitis, skin dryness and itch improved during the hemp seed oil period, and in two trials hemp seed oil changed blood fatty acid levels without changing cholesterol.

Studied Dose 3 g/day for 8 weeks in children and adolescents (Del Bo' trial); 30 mL/day for 4 weeks in healthy adults (Schwab trial).
Active Compound Polyunsaturated fatty acids: mainly linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3), plus some gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). In one trial, 3 g of oil supplied 1.4 g of linoleic acid and 0.7 g of ALA.

Benefits

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in one food oil

Hemp seed oil supplies both linoleic acid (omega-6) and ALA (omega-3). In one trial, 3 g a day provided 1.4 g of linoleic acid and 0.7 g of ALA. In a 4-week crossover in healthy adults, 30 mL a day raised linoleic acid and GLA in blood lipids compared with flaxseed oil, which raised ALA more.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Red blood cell omega-3 levels (plant ALA source)

ALA is the plant omega-3. Humans convert only a limited share of ALA into EPA and even less into DHA, so hemp seed oil is not a substitute for fish or algal oil. In 36 children and teens with primary hyperlipidemia, 3 g a day for 8 weeks raised the red blood cell omega-3 index by about 1.2 percentage points, while blood lipids did not change compared with the control group.

Supported by Trial 2

GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content

Hemp seed oil contains some GLA, an omega-6 fat. In one small trial, GLA in blood lipids rose after hemp seed oil, and in another it was higher than after flaxseed oil. Whether this amount of GLA has effects of its own has not been tested in hemp seed oil trials.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 1

Skin dryness and itch in a dietary oil trial

In a randomized, single-blind crossover study in people with atopic dermatitis comparing dietary hemp seed oil with olive oil, skin dryness and itchiness improved and use of skin medicines fell during the hemp seed oil period. Water loss through the skin fell but not significantly. It was one small study, and the changes were reported within the hemp seed oil period.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Essential fatty acid provision

Linoleic acid and ALA are essential fatty acids: the body cannot make them, so they must come from food. Hemp seed oil supplies both.

2

Limited conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA

The body can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but humans generally have limited capacity to do so, especially for DHA, and conversion to DHA differs between men and women. Fish or algal oils are more direct sources of EPA and DHA.

3

GLA to DGLA pathway

GLA is lengthened in the body to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), which can be made into prostaglandin E1. This pathway is the proposed basis for interest in GLA; it was not measured in the hemp seed oil trials.

4

Skin barrier lipids

Essential fatty acids are part of the skin's outer lipid layer. In the atopic dermatitis study, plasma linoleic acid, ALA and GLA rose after hemp seed oil with no rise in arachidonic acid, and the authors linked the skin changes to this fatty acid supply.

Clinical trials

1
Dietary Hemp Seed Oil and Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms
PubMed

Randomized, single-blind crossover study comparing dietary hemp seed oil with olive oil over 20 weeks, measuring plasma fatty acids, skin water loss and a symptom questionnaire. (Callaway et al. 2005, J Dermatolog Treat)

Patients with atopic dermatitis.

Linoleic acid, ALA and GLA rose in all plasma lipid fractions after hemp seed oil, with no rise in arachidonic acid. After the hemp seed oil period, skin dryness and itchiness improved (p = 0.027) and use of skin medicines fell (p = 0.024); transepidermal water loss fell but not significantly (p = 0.074). These were within-period changes in a small study.

2
Hemp Seed Oil, Omega-3 Index and Blood Lipids in Children
PubMed

Randomized 8-week parallel pilot study of 3 g/day hemp seed oil (1.4 g linoleic acid, 0.7 g ALA) plus dietary guidance versus dietary guidance alone. (Del Bo' et al. 2019, Food Res Int)

36 children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 with primary hyperlipidemia on diet therapy.

Hemp seed oil lowered red blood cell saturated and monounsaturated fats, raised total omega-3 and omega-6 fats, and raised the omega-3 index by about 1.2 points. The serum lipid profile did not change compared with the control group.

3
Hemp Seed Oil Versus Flaxseed Oil in Healthy Adults
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind crossover trial of 30 mL/day hemp seed oil or flaxseed oil for 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout. (Schwab et al. 2006, Eur J Nutr)

14 healthy volunteers.

Hemp seed oil gave higher linoleic acid and GLA in serum cholesteryl esters and triglycerides, and flaxseed oil gave higher ALA. Fasting total and lipoprotein lipids, glucose, insulin and blood clotting factors did not differ between the oils; the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio tended to be lower after hemp seed oil (p = 0.065).

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated.
Mild digestive upset (rare).
Allergic reactions are rare.
The green color comes from chlorophyll and is harmless.
Grassy flavor that not everyone likes.
Heat sensitive: not suited to high-heat cooking, because heat oxidizes its polyunsaturated fats.

Important Drug interactions

Few drug interactions are documented.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs: in a 4-week crossover in healthy adults, blood clotting factors after 30 mL/day did not differ from those after flaxseed oil; people on these medicines should still tell their prescriber about large daily amounts.
Hemp seed oil contains only trace amounts of THC and CBD, so cannabinoid-related drug interactions are not expected.
Pregnancy and lactation: ask a clinician before taking hemp seed oil as a supplement rather than as a food oil.
Drug testing: trace THC can be picked up from other parts of the plant during processing, so people subject to drug tests should choose products tested for THC.

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Frequently asked questions about Hemp Seed Oil

What is hemp seed oil, and does it contain CBD?

Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and is a food oil rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. FDA has said hemp seed ingredients contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD, picked up from other parts of the plant during processing. CBD oil is a different product.

What is hemp seed oil good for?

It is a nutritious food oil that supplies omega-6 and omega-3 fats plus some GLA. In one small study in people with atopic dermatitis, skin dryness and itch improved during the hemp seed oil period.

How much hemp seed oil should I take?

Trials used 3 g a day in children and 30 mL (about 2 tablespoons) a day in adults. It is mostly used as a food oil drizzled on foods rather than heated for high-temperature cooking. Follow product labeling for capsules.

Is hemp seed oil safe?

Hemp seed oil is a food oil that most people tolerate well. FDA has said hemp seed ingredients cannot make people high, but trace THC from processing could matter for sensitive drug tests, so choose THC-tested products if you are tested.

What is Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds of low-THC industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa). It is a food oil rich in two essential polyunsaturated fats, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3), with a smaller amount of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

What is Hemp Seed Oil used for?

Hemp Seed Oil is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails. Hemp seed oil supplies both linoleic acid (omega-6) and ALA (omega-3). In one trial, 3 g a day provided 1.4 g of linoleic acid and 0.7 g of ALA.

Does Hemp Seed Oil interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Few drug interactions are documented. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs: in a 4-week crossover in healthy adults, blood clotting factors after 30 mL/day did not differ from those after flaxseed oil; people on these medicines should still tell their prescriber about large dail… If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Hemp Seed Oil?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Hemp Seed Oil as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 3 study summaries and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Callaway J, Schwab U, Harvima I, Halonen P, Mykkänen O, Hyvönen P, Järvinen T. Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2005;16(2):87-94. doi: 10.1080/09546630510035832.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, single-blind 20-week crossover study comparing dietary hemp seed oil with olive oil in atopic dermatitis patients: plasma linoleic acid, ALA and GLA rose after hemp seed oil, and skin dryness and itchiness improved and dermal medication use fell during the hemp seed oil period; the fall in skin water loss was not significant.
  2. Del Bo' C, Deon V, Abello F, Massini G, Porrini M, Riso P, Guardamagna O. Eight-week hempseed oil intervention improves the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids and the omega-3 index, but does not affect the lipid profile in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia. Food Res Int. 2019;119:469-476. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.12.045.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized 8-week pilot study in 36 children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia: 3 g/day hemp seed oil (1.4 g linoleic acid, 0.7 g ALA) raised red blood cell omega-3 and omega-6 fats and the omega-3 index but did not change the serum lipid profile compared with control.
  3. Schwab US, Callaway JC, Erkkilä AT, Gynther J, Uusitupa MI, Järvinen T. Effects of hempseed and flaxseed oils on the profile of serum lipids, serum total and lipoprotein lipid concentrations and haemostatic factors. Eur J Nutr. 2006;45(8):470-7. doi: 10.1007/s00394-006-0621-z.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized double-blind crossover in 14 healthy adults: 30 mL/day hemp seed oil versus flaxseed oil for 4 weeks each. Hemp seed oil raised linoleic acid and GLA in serum lipids; fasting lipids, glucose, insulin and haemostatic factors did not differ between oils.
  4. Baker EJ, Miles EA, Burdge GC, Yaqoob P, Calder PC. Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans. Prog Lipid Res. 2016;64:30-56. doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.07.002.PubMedUsed to support: Review of plant omega-3 metabolism: ALA is an essential fatty acid and the substrate for EPA and DHA, humans are generally considered to have limited capacity to convert ALA to EPA and DHA, conversion to DHA is limited in most people, and sex differences in conversion to DHA have been identified.
  5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Responds to Three GRAS Notices for Hemp Seed-Derived Ingredients for Use in Human Food FDA Constituent Update. 2018;December 20, 2018..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; FDA web page. FDA responded to GRAS notices for hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder and hemp seed oil, stated that these ingredients contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD, which the seeds pick up from other parts of the plant during harvesting and processing, and that eating them cannot make consumers high.