It seems like they’re sticking CBD in practically everything these days. Gummies, topical creams, pre-rolled cigarettes, and even dog treats are being packed with CBD, terpenes, and other components of the cannabis plant that have so much more to offer than a good buzz. But with so many CBD products hitting the shelves, it can result in a wash of information that’s just a bit too much to take in. 

While CBD oil and essential oil are both talked about and used by a lot of the same crowd (here’s looking at you, hippies), the two are actually very different oil products. You can always use CBD oil while simultaneously enjoying a diffuser full of essential oils, but that’s about as far as their overlap goes. We’ll tackle what exactly a diffuser is, the difference in these products and oils, and the benefits you can receive from both!

What is an oil diffuser?

Some of the more popular CBD products are CBD oils. These are fatty oils combined with CBD which can then be taken orally to give you the different health benefits offered by CBD, from sleep aid to pain relief. Although their names are similar, these CBD oils are quite different from the also-popular essential oils, which are oils meant for oil diffusers which diffuse the scent of things like lavender oil throughout your room. You can pick up a bottle of your favorite citrus scent, pop it in a diffuser, and enjoy its therapeutic benefits anytime of day.

Essential oils

Essential oils are basically the extracted, distilled essence of various plants. They come in a seemingly endless number of forms, from as simple as lavender and vanilla to as exotic and complex as sandalwood and allspice, and practically everything in between. These essential oils are used in applications from simply freshening up your space to specific aromatherapy purposes like meditation and focus.

Unlike CBD oil, essential oils like this are designed specifically for use with essential oil diffusers. They’re packed full of the scents we use to relax and freshen up the house with. These scents are composed of super-lightweight scent molecules, which makes them perfect for use in oil diffusers. 

Can you diffuse oils all day?

Absolutely! You can have a lavender vanilla living room, an orange chamomile bedroom, and a pumpkin spice kitchen all at once, all day long. There’s no harm to come from it, while the benefits may be quite noticeable, depending on your tolerance for strong scents. If you find that prolonged exposure to strong scents can bother you or cause headaches, you may want to limit your use of essential oils to open air spaces or brief sessions. But if you’re of the sort that could sniff around a candle shop all day without issue, you can feel free to have essential oils diffusing throughout your space 24/7 without concern.

What happens if you put CBD oil in a diffuser?

This is where things get a little trickier. While essential oils are packed full of ultra lightweight scent molecules that are easily diffused into the air as they’re carried with water vapor, CBD oil is full of, you guessed it, CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a much heavier molecule than scent molecules. Basically, it’s way too heavy to be diffused around your space with water vapor. 

While CBD oil itself can’t be diffused, you can always take steps to make your space feel like it’s got CBD running throughout. Try grabbing some terpenes and vaporizing them in your oil diffuser. Your whole space will have the relaxing scent profile of your favorite strain without having to smoke a bowl. It may not actually interact with your endocannabinoid system like CBD oil does when ingested, but just the scent of our beloved hemp plant can be plenty to relax the mind and body by way of association.

How should I use CBD oil for maximum health benefits?

The best way to get the most out of your CBD oil is simply to take it daily! Whether you take your CBD oil sublingually, orally, in chocolate bar form, or mixed into your daily coffee, a daily CBD routine can do wonders for your achy joints, sore muscles, anxious mind, or restless nights. These are just a few of our favorite CBD products to get you on your way to better sleep and fewer aches and pains.

Specktra CBD Oil - $39

Specktra makes some of the best CBD oil on the market today. It’s meticulously crafted with nothing but the highest quality ingredients, chosen specifically to take care of your needs. Whether it’s improved sleep, a bit of pain relief, or just a clear and focused headspace, you can get what you’re after with this incredible CBD oil. If you prefer your CBD in a more portable, convenient form, check out their preloaded disposable vapes as well!

NuLeaf Naturals CBD Oil Gel Capsules - $29.99

Dosage control doesn’t get any easier than with these convenient softgel capsules. Each capsule is precisely dosed with 30mg of full-spectrum CBD extract. These handy capsules make choosing your dosage incredibly easy, and they can be taken as readily as any other pill or vitamin, without having to actually taste the CBD oil itself.

Blue Moon CBD + Melatonin Gummies - $19.50

If you’ve been thinking about trying CBD for sleep, these are the answer to any questions or doubts you’ve had. Combining the longtime sleep enhancer Melatonin with the incredible relaxing and curative powers of CBD, these gummies are absolutely guaranteed to give you your best night’s sleep. What’s better is that they’re also super tasty and totally affordable!

Conclusion:

While it may be nice to enjoy some relaxing aromatherapy alongside a few rips from your CBD pen, it’s important to know that essential oil for diffusing is not the same as CBD oil for oral or topical use (and vice versa). While putting your CBD oil in a diffuser may be a good way to make the room smell like your favorite terpene blend, CBD itself is entirely too heavy to be diffused, meaning it would be left behind in your diffuser and completely wasted. The next time your stress and anxiety are getting to you, try a nice, big dose of CBD and kick back with some calming essential oils in your diffuser, and you’re sure to be relaxed and worry free in no time. 

Author bio:

Nick Branson is a writer and longtime smoker with a passion for science and education. His hope is to destigmatize the use of marijuana, both medicinally and recreationally.