HEMP

Other Names:

Cannabis Sativa, Cheungsam, Fiber Hemp, Fructus Cannabis, Hemp Cake, Hemp Extract, Hemp Flour, Hemp Flower, Hemp Heart, Hemp Leaf, Hemp Oil, Hemp Powder, Hemp Protein, Hemp Seed, Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Seed Protein Isolate, Hemp Seed Protein Meal, ...
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HEMP Overview Information

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is the same species of plant as cannabis. Unlike cannabis, hemp contains very low levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Both hemp and cannabis also contain cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerol (CBG), and others. The 2018 Farm Bill established the specific definition of hemp versus cannabis by limiting the THC content of hemp to no more than 0.3%. Hemp seeds contain fats, protein, and other chemicals.

People use hemp for constipation, high cholesterol, eczema, arthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse hemp with Canadian hemp, hemp agrimony, cannabis, or CBD. These are not the same. Unlike cannabis, it is legal to sell hemp and hemp products under federal law in the US.

HEMP Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for HEMP Uses & Effectiveness

HEMP Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Hemp seed, seed oil, and seed protein are commonly consumed as food. Hemp is possibly safe when the seed oil is used as medicine for up to 6 months. There isn't enough reliable information to know if hemp flowers, hemp leaves, or oil made from the flower or leaf is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hemp is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hemp is safe for children. Hemp seed oil has caused rare cases of sleepiness and blood shot eyes in children.

Allergy to cannabis: People who are allergic to cannabis might also be allergic to hemp. Use hemp with caution if you are allergic to cannabis.

Surgery: Hemp protein might lower blood pressure. This might make blood pressure fall too low, especially during surgery. Stop using hemp protein at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

HEMP Interactions

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

Estrogens interacts with HEMP
Hemp seed might increase estrogen levels in the body. Taking hemp seed along with estrogen might increase the effects and side effects of estrogen.
Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with HEMP
Hemp seed protein might lower blood pressure. Taking hemp seed protein along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with HEMP
Hemp seed protein might lower blood pressure. Taking hemp seed protein along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with HEMP
Hemp seed might slow blood clotting. Taking hemp seed along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

HEMP Dosing

Hemp seed, hemp protein, and hemp seed oil are commonly consumed in foods.

As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of hemp might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View clinical references for this vitamin or supplement Sources

References:

7 CFR 990: Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program. Federal Register: 2021-00967. January 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-00967 (Accessed 3/11/2021).

Al-Khalifa A, Maddaford TG, Chahine MN, et al. Effect of dietary hempseed intake on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007;292(3):R1198-203. View abstract.

Alkhammash S, Tsui H, Thomson DMP. Cannabis and hemp seed allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7(7):2429-2430.e1. View abstract.

Andres C. Important legislative and regulatory changes impacting the commercialization of cannabis, hemp, and CBD. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019;25(S2):36-38. View abstract.

Callaway J, Schwab U, Harvima I, et al. Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2005;16(2):87-94. View abstract.

Cannabidiol Now Showing Up In Dietary Supplements. Natural Medicines Web site. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/news/news-items/2015/march/cannabidiol-now-showing-up-in-dietary-supplements.aspx. (Accessed May 31, 2015).

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. FDA Responds to Three GRAS Notices for Hemp Seed-Derived Ingredients for Use in Human Food. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-responds-three-gras-notices-hemp-seed-derived-ingredients-use-human-food. Accessed December 20, 2019.

Cheng CW, Bian ZX, Zhu LX, Wu JC, Sung JJ. Efficacy of a Chinese herbal proprietary medicine (Hemp Seed Pill) for functional constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106(1):120-9. View abstract.

Chinello M, Scommegna S, Shardlow A, et al. Cannabinoid poisoning by hemp seed oil in a child. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017;33(5):344-345. View abstract.

Citti C, Linciano P, Panseri S, et al. Cannabinoid profiling of hemp seed oil by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Front Plant Sci. 2019;10:120. View abstract.

Del Bo' C, Deon V, Abello F, et al. 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. View abstract.

Frassinetti S, Moccia E, Caltavuturo L, et al. Nutraceutical potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds and sprouts. Food Chem. 2018;262:56-66. View abstract.

Gavel NT, Edel AL, Bassett CM, et al. The effect of dietary hempseed on atherogenesis and contractile function in aortae from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Acta Physiol Hung. 2011;98(3):273-83. View abstract.

Girgih AT, Alashi A, He R, Malomo S, Aluko RE. Preventive and treatment effects of a hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) meal protein hydrolysate against high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Eur J Nutr. 2014;53(5):1237-46. View abstract.

Girgih AT, Alashi AM, He R, et al. A novel hemp seed meal protein hydrolysate reduces oxidative stress factors in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Nutrients. 2014;6(12):5652-66. View abstract.

Hazekamp A. The trouble with CBD oil. Med Cannabis Cannabinoids. 2018 Jun;1:65-72.

House JD, Neufeld J, Leson G. Evaluating the quality of protein from hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) products through the use of the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score method. J Agric Food Chem. 2010;58(22):11801-7. View abstract.

Jeong M, Cho J, Shin JI, et al. Hempseed oil induces reactive oxygen species- and C/EBP homologous protein-mediated apoptosis in MH7A human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;154(3):745-52. View abstract.

Jin S, Lee MY. The ameliorative effect of hemp seed hexane extracts on the Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammation and lipogenesis in sebocytes. PLoS One. 2018;13(8):e0202933. View abstract.

Kaul N, Kreml R, Austria JA, et al. A comparison of fish oil, flaxseed oil and hempseed oil supplementation on selected parameters of cardiovascular health in healthy volunteers. J Am Coll Nutr 2008;27:51-8. View abstract.

Kaushal N, Gupta M, Kulshreshtha E. Hempseed (Cannabis sativa) lipid fractions alleviate high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease through regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Heliyon. 2020;6(7):e04422. View abstract.

Lopez HL, Cesareo KR, Raub B, et al. Effects of hemp extract on markers of wellness, stress resilience, recovery and clinical biomarkers of safety in overweight, but otherwise healthy subjects. J Diet Suppl. 2020;17(5):561-86. View abstracts.

Lu XF, Jia MD, Zhang SS, Zhao LQ. Effects of Hemp seed soft capsule on colonic ion transport in rats. World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(42):7563-7571. View abstract.

Maurotti S, Mare R, Pujia R, et al. Hemp Seeds in Post-Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Study and an In Vitro Investigation. Nutrients 2021;13(12):4330. View abstract.

Mikulcová V, Kaspárková V, Humpolícek P, Bunková L. Formulation, characterization and properties of hemp seed oil and its emulsions. Molecules. 2017;22(5). pii: E700. View abstract.

Moccia S, Siano F, Russo GL, et al. Antiproliferative and antioxidant effect of polar hemp extracts (Cannabis sativa L., Fedora cv.) in human colorectal cell lines. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2019:1-14. View abstract.

Mollard RC, Johnston AJ, Serrano Leon A, Wang H, Jones P, MacKay DS. Acute effects of hemp protein consumption on glycemic and satiety control: results of two randomized crossover trials. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021. View abstract.

Montserrat-de la Paz S, Marín-Aguilar F, García-Giménez MD, Fernández-Arche MA. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil: analytical and phytochemical characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction. J Agric Food Chem. 2014;62(5):1105-10. View abstract.

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP. FDA Refuses to Approve CBVD As a Food Ingredient or Supplement. August 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/fda-refuses-to-approve-cbd-as-a-food-1880558. Accessed October 26, 2021.

Prociuk M, Edel A, Gavel N, et al. The effects of dietary hempseed on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2006;11(3):198-205. View abstract.

Rezapour-Firouzi S, Arefhosseini SR, Ebrahimi-Mamaghani M, et al. Activity of liver enzymes in multiple sclerosis patients with Hot-nature diet and co-supplemented hemp seed, evening primrose oils intervention. Complement Ther Med. 2014;22(6):986-93. View abstract.

Rezapour-Firouzi S, Arefhosseini SR, Mehdi F, et al. Immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects of Hot-natured diet and co-supplemented hemp seed, evening primrose oils intervention in multiple sclerosis patients. Complement Ther Med 2013;21(5):473-80.

Richard MN, Ganguly R, Steigerwald SN, Al-Khalifa A, Pierce GN. Dietary hempseed reduces platelet aggregation. J Thromb Haemost. 2007;5(2):424-5. View abstract.

Rodriguez-Martin NM, Toscano R, Villanueva A, et al. Neuroprotective protein hydrolysates from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds. Food Funct. 2019;10(10):6732-6739. View abstract.

Saberivand A, Karimi I, Becker LA, et al. The effects of Cannabis sativa L. seed (hempseed) in the ovariectomized rat model of menopause. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2010;32(7):467-73. View abstract.

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. View abstract.

Stadtmauer G, Beyer K, Bardina L, Sicherer SH. Anaphylaxis to ingestion of hempseed (Cannabis sativa). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112(1):216-7. View abstract.

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scot Gottlieb, M.D., on signing of the Agriculture Improvement Act and the agency's regulation of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/statement-fda-commissioner-scott-gottlieb-md-signing-agriculture-improvement-act-and-agencys. (Accessed May 7, 2019).

Stokes JR, Hartel R, Ford LB, Casale TB. Cannabis (hemp) positive skin tests and respiratory symptoms. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000;85(3):238-40. View abstract.

VanDolah HJ, Bauer BA, Mauck KF. Clinicians' Guide to cannabidiol and hemp oils. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019;94(9):1840-1851. View abstract.

Yang M, Feng Y, Zhang YL, et al. Herbal formula MaZiRenWan (Hemp Seed Pill) for constipation: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Phytomedicine 2021;82:153459. View abstract.

Yousofi M, Saberivand A, Becker LA, Karimi I. The effects of Cannabis sativa L. seed (hemp seed) on reproductive and neurobehavioral end points in rats. Dev Psychobiol. 2011;53(4):402-12. View abstract.

Zanoni C, Aiello G, Arnoldi A, Lammi C. Hempseed peptides exert hypocholesterolemic effects with a statin-like mechanism. J Agric Food Chem. 2017;65(40):8829-8838. View abstract.

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Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2009.

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