Just like juicing raw cannabis leaves for their nutritional benefit, eating shelled hemp and raw cannabis seeds is also becoming more popular.

Cannabis seedsHemp hearts tend to have a light, nutty flavor and are extremely nutritious, providing the benefits of hemp oil in a satisfying snack format.

Read on to learn about what’s inside these tasty morsels and why you should be munching them on the daily.

While both cannabis and hemp seeds come from the plants in the Cannabis sativa species, they’re from different varieties of the plant.

Hemp seeds often come from industrial hemp plants, bred for their rich CBD content, fiber, and seeds. So, hemp seeds are considered cannabis seeds, but particularly coming from plants with extremely low THC content (0.3% or below).

Other cannabis seeds, like ones used to grow THC-rich strains, come from different varieties of the plant than hemp seeds do.

The major difference between hemp seeds and cannabis seeds is the THC content. For that reason, hemp seeds are legal and widely used in many countries, while cannabis seeds can be illegal in some areas that do not have cannabis legalized.

Cannabis seeds and hemp seeds contain a ton of beneficial nutrients. This is why many opt to include them in their diets to gain some extra minerals and vitamins throughout their day.

Here’s how to eat hemp or cannabis seeds:

• Raw: You can eat them raw, shelled or unshelled. This will have a mild, nutty taste with a slightly sweet undertone.
• Toasted: Toasting them can enhance that nutty flavor, making them a crunchy addition to salads or yogurts.
• Blended: Blend them into smoothies or make hemp seed milk by blending with water.
• Baking: They can be easily incorporated into baked goods like breads, cookies, or bars.

Does eating weed seeds get you high like smoking a joint would? Definitely not, even if you’re eating ones that would be used to grow THC-rich strains.

These seeds contain minimal or no THC. Even hemp seeds contain almost negligible amounts of CBD or other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

If you’re seeking out a high, it’s best to go along with tradition and use the classic routes of cannabis consumption, like smoking, vaping, or eating weed edibles.

You likely don’t eat a lot of raw cannabis in your normal routine. Though edibles containing activated THC are great for medicinal use, they are hard to eat frequently; you may eventually find yourself in a perma-haze or having digestive issues. That’s why raw cannabis is such an awesome supplement.

For now, most hemp seed products are grown and manufactured in Canada, then exported to countries that aren’t as friendly to hemp cultivation. However, this could change as industrial and agricultural hemp crops become more normalized in the US.

Since even the best cannabis seeds don’t contain a significant level of cannabinoids, there’s no chance of catching a buzz from these babies. However, if you start sprinkling hemp hearts on top of your yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, or salads, you won’t be sorry.

Tell all your bodybuilder friends: the hearts of the seeds from cannabis and hemp plants are rich in plant-based protein.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you’d be crazy not to incorporate these tiny nutritional powerhouses into your plan. But, even if you’re a carnivore, hemp hearts can provide a quick and convenient, low-carb, low-fat alternative to meat. It’s always good to switch it up, no matter your menu.

Ask your favorite athletes and fitness professionals about hemp seeds. You may be surprised at just how many people love them. During her fighting prime, Ronda Rousey claimed that she starts each morning with a spoonful of hemp hearts before her workouts.

Well-known fitness brands such as Onnit are offering hemp protein powders, made from powdered seeds, which are pricey but quickly becoming more popular as awareness grows within the fitness community.

While hemp hearts aren’t necessarily the most abundant source of protein, they are super-healthy and easy to digest. If you’re plant-based, or just diversifying your daily protein sources, shelled cannabis seeds should be your favorite new snack.

The seeds of the cannabis plant also happen to be the plant kingdom’s most prevalent source of essential omega fatty acids.

People used to think that eating fish was the only way for humans to intake enough omegas to stay alive. These “omegas” are amino acids that are necessary for protein production, and life itself, yet our bodies are incapable of making them in-house. Now, we know that supplementing with hemp is a viable alternative.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to promote a healthy heart and brain, among other vital functions. They are present throughout the hemp or cannabis plant. However, the hearts and oils from the seed are the very best source you can find.

If you do go for a hemp seed oil over the physical hearts, look for a cold-pressed oil for the highest possible quality.

The presence of omegas in cannabis seeds is welcome news for those on restricted diets who can’t consume fish, for health or other reasons. Now they too can ensure that they’re getting enough of this vital fuel. Either way, omegas from hemp hearts definitely do a body good.

Did you know you can lose, gain, or maintain your weight easily, simply by eating a ton of cannabis seeds?

Since shelled hemp seeds are super tasty and filling, they are fantastic for people looking to eat less throughout the day. Or, on the other hand, they can be a superb supplement for those looking to bulk up or just maintain their lean muscle.

Their pleasant nutty flavor is totally non-intrusive when it comes to preserving the flavor of your favorite foods. Plus, they can make things that aren’t as tasty, that much more enjoyable. Many dieters bemoan salads and low-fat “snacks” like plain yogurt, hummus or quinoa.

Mixing hemp hearts into even the blandest foods can provide a little kick of flavor and a lot of extra nutrition.

No matter your goals in the gym or on the scale, hemp seeds are a yummy way to kick-start your days and fuel your body and mind to true greatness.

This pretty much goes without saying, but a diet rich in vitamins, plant-based proteins, and healthy fats will go far in helping you live an optimal and healthy life. The heart of the cannabis seed contains all of these, in a perfect little package!

Raw cannabis and hemp products can provide some serious physical perks, but only if you are willing to make them an everyday part of your diet. This shouldn’t be tough, as they typically come ready-to-eat in huge bags from which you can scoop as desired.

Several benefits accompany a well-lubricated hemp-loving body. For one, you’ll experience decreased inflammation in the joints and muscles due to the healthy fat you’re consuming. You might feel more energy or stamina throughout the day, and have a much easier time managing your weight.

Cardiovascular function and blood pressure are known to improve on a high-omega diet, and there’s even a chance that you could be defending your brain against the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia or other mental disorders.

Consider adding shelled hemp or cannabis seeds to your diet, rather than make drastic and difficult changes to your routine. You may find that you can control many aspects of your well-being, simply through more wholesome nutrition.

We’re predicting that the healthy trend of eating raw cannabis seeds will grow during 2017. Have you ever had any luck incorporating hemp hearts into your diet? Comment below with your favorite way to eat them.

Or, check out these awesome recipes to get started making your own delicious cannabis seed creations.

• Herbed Italian Polenta Pizza with Hempseed Parmesan 
• Hempseed Pesto Pasta 
• Creamy Pesto Toast