March 30, 2022

What’s Hemp Bioaccumulation & What’s It Mean for Me?

We're talking about bioaccumulation today — specifically hemp bioaccumulation.

Bioaccuma-what?

If "hemp bioaccumulator" never made it to your list of 9th-grade vocab words, don't sweat it. We're about to get you up to speed.

Here's everything you need to know about bioaccumulators, hemp bioaccumulation, plus what this means for any hemp products you buy.

Bioaccumulation Defined

What is bioaccumulation? Bioaccumulation is the process by which various chemicals (good or bad) accumulate in living organisms. This can occur when a substance is released into the environment and then absorbed by plants or animals.(1)

Bioaccumulation is often talked about in the environmental and toxicology fields, as it often pertains to pollutants.

Bioaccumulators are good at taking in and concentrating these pollutants from the environment — and in turn, cleaning up the land.

Is Hemp A Bioaccumulator?

Hemp is considered a bioaccumulator plant. This means that it's really good at taking up and storing various substances from the soil.

It can grow in soils that are polluted with heavy metals and other toxins, and it will suck up all of those pollutants and can be used to clean up the soil.(2)

As a bioaccumulator, hemp can absorb and store large amounts of these pollutants in all parts of the plant. This makes it a great tool for bioremediation! Bioaccumulators like hemp are very environmentally-friendly plants.

Why Hemp Bioaccumulation Matters

So what does this mean for you and any hemp products you use or consume?

Since hemp is such a good bioaccumulator — it could spell trouble for you if you're not careful.

The hemp grown to make hemp-derived CBD products can also bioaccumulate toxins from the soil. So, hemp growers must be very careful about the quality of soil their hemp is grown in to ensure that the final product is free of harmful substances like pesticides and heavy metals.

This is why it's ultra important to know where your hemp comes from — buying from producers that use clean, toxin-free soil is crucial.

What Hemp Products Are Impacted By Hemp Bioaccumulation?

Basically — anything derived from hemp!

This can include:

  • Hemp clothing
  • Hemp oils and creams
  • Hemp gummies
  • Hemp patches
  • Hemp seeds
  • Hemp foods & drinks

This also includes hemp-derived CBD products like:

You get the picture — anything made from hemp is directly impacted by the quality of the hemp itself.

Does Hemp Bioaccumulation Mean Hemp Is Bad For You?

So, is hemp poisonous or bad for you?

No!

It just means you as the consumer have to do a teeny bit of due diligence to make sure you're getting a high-caliber, pure product.

(And, actually, hemp — in its many forms — can be a very healthful component to your self-care and dietary routines.)

How To Buy Hemp-Derived Products Safely

When you're looking to buy any hemp-derived products, be sure to look for brands that are transparent about their sourcing and testing practices.

Do these things to maximize your chances of getting a safe and second-to-none product:

  • When shopping for hemp products, always look for US-grown hemp. US hemp cultivation is closely monitored and regulated, so you can be sure products made with US-grown hemp are of the highest quality.
  • Also, opt for organic hemp to ensure the purity of the product. Organic hemp avoids the use of pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemicals that could contaminate the final product.
  • Buy from a legit retailer — make sure it has a good reputation in the hemp community. (Hint: Pure Craft does!)
  • Make sure third-party lab testing was done on your consumable hemp products so you can see what's in it with your own eyes.

Hemp Bioaccumulation In Brief

In short, bioaccumulation is the process by which various chemicals accumulate in the bodies of living organisms — including plants like hemp.

Hemp is a bioaccumulator plant, meaning it's especially good at absorbing and storing these substances. This can be beneficial when used as bioremediation (the cleaning up of pollutants), but it's important to keep in mind when buying hemp-derived products for personal consumption.

Assuming you don't want to use a product that's polluted with toxins, you'll want to buy only the highest-quality hemp goods. These are items — like your CBD — that have flowed through a “clean” supply chain that ensures product purity and safety.

SHOP HEMP-DERIVED CBD

References

  1. Poppenga, R. (2007). Veterinary Toxicology. Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/bioaccumulation
  2. Musio, B, et al. (2022). A spectroscopic study to assess heavy metals absorption by a combined hemp/spirulina system from contaminated soil. Environmental Advances. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100144


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