CBD has garnered so much attention of late in the health and wellness world but does CBD get you high? This has been so after federal laws have removed restrictions on it, making it legal to sell and buy CBD products. As we shall learn later, federal laws have clarified that for CBD to be legal, its THC content should not exceed 0.3%. Together with CBD, THC happens to be the second most prevalent compound in marijuana and hemp.
There are so many touted benefits for CBD, including pain relief, better sleep, and reduced anxiety. This is part of the reason why everyone is jumping onto the CBD train. Having said all that, the question remains, does CBD oil get you high?
This is among the frequently asked questions from people who are new to CBD. The shortest answer for that is a simple no. Despite coming from cannabis which is the same species of plan that gives us marijuana, it will not get you high. We shall explain how that happens later in this post. For now, let us get a better understanding of what CBD is.
What Is CBD?
CBD is the short form for cannabidiol among the more than 113 natural compounds (cannabinoids) from the cannabis Sativa plant. It should be noted that both marijuana and hemp are species of this plant. Even though CBD will form the basis of our discussion today, it is equally important to recognize its ‘cousin’ known as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
This is another popular chemical compound from cannabis Sativa plants that is famous for its psychoactive properties. Despite coming from the same plant, you should never confuse CBD and THC. They do not operate the same way at all. What separates these two compounds is that THC makes the user feel that mind alteration is often associated with marijuana smoking.
On the other hand, CBD will not cause such feelings at all. As opposed to that, it helps one to feel calm, more relaxed, less anxious, and could induce sleep. We note that it has similar soothing qualities as THC but without the ‘high’ effect. Similarly, both THC and CBD share some side effects. To Read more about CBD, Click Here.
Why Do Some Think You Can Get High On CBD?
As we have stated above, both THC and CBD occur naturally in cannabis plants. The good thing about CBD is that it can be effectively isolated from the cannabis plant and THC compound. You will realize that CBD is usually infused into edibles, oils, tinctures, and similar products.
However, these products do not have mind-altering THC. The main reason why people think that CBD could cause similar effects as marijuana is the fact that these two come from the same plant.
However, it should not be of concern since we are aware that CBD alone is non-psychoactive, meaning that it will never cause a high. Even better, CBD can be derived from hemp, which has no intoxicating effects at all.
To be more precise, in most states, it is only hemp-sourced CBD that is legal. According to the law, these products cannot have more than 0.3% THC. That is just low to cause a high.
Does CBD Get You High?
As you may be already aware, CBD that has been extracted from hemp is used to make different products; these include lotions, salves, oils, tinctures, gummies, and the list continues. Even though all these products have CBD in them, tinctures and oils are what people most familiar are with. You take CBD oil under the tongue even though some people prefer adding it to their food or drinks. Having said all that, does CBD get you high in all these forms?
For a long time now, CBD has been promoted as a natural supplement that helps to reduce anxiety, slow down pain, insomnia, and induces relaxation. According to studies, CBD can help to quell depression and anxiety-related symptoms. While CBD helps you feel better, this will not be high that it is caused by marijuana. You might be into gummies and want to know, do CBD gummies get you high?
The answer to that is no. What is good is that, even if you consume more CBD than the recommended amount, you will only feel happier and uplifted instead of getting high. Even though there is no way you could probably overdose on CBD, doing so could lead to minor side effects. These include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness.
CBD vs. THC
As we have already explained, the two most popular cannabinoids of cannabis plants are CBD and THC. It is important to note that these two cannabinoids impact CB1 (cannabinoid type 1) receptors in your brain. It is the kind of impact that will tell you just more about producing different results despite having come from the same plant.
THC generally binds with these receptors, activates them, and later causes the high or euphoria feeling. Due to the widespread distribution of the cannabinoid receptors in the body, THC finds an opportunity to cause such powerful psychological and physical effects.
On the other hand, CBD is a CB1 antagonist. Even though it can do so, CBD rarely binds with the CB1 receptors. Precisely, it blocks any euphoric feeling from taking place. When you take CBD together with THC, you will realize that you will not get as high as you would when you used THC alone. This is a clear indication that CBD actually inhibits THC effects or simply blocks those high effects.
How Does CBD Make You Feel?
We have to admit that research around CBD is still new. All the same, some studies show CBD as calming and relaxing. It is also believed that CBD could reduce pain and inflammation. Given that CBD could ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, it may also help you get some good sleep.
CBD is generally considered well-tolerated and safe. However, different people might react differently to it. This, therefore, means that what one individual feels might not necessarily match with your own experience. Now that you have a general idea of what CBD makes you feel, you should note that it could cause possible side effects like:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Weight and appetite changes
- Mild nausea
One important thing that you must learn is that CBD can interact with different medications. In this regard, make sure that you consult your doctor before incorporating CBD into your routine.
How Does THC Make You Feel?
According to NIDA, when THC has bound to the CB1 receptors, it will activate the brain’s reward system and stimulate dopamine release. The sudden rush for dopamine leads to a pleasurable and high that is usually associated with marijuana use recreationally. Other effects of THC include:
- Dry mouth
- Increased relaxation
- Sense of euphoria
- Difficulty to solve problems or concentrate
- Change in the perception of time
- Fatigue
- Red and dry eyes
- Increased appetite
- Impaired memory
- Increased appetite
- Feelings of paranoia and anxiety
The good thing about some of these side effects is that they last for a short time. You will also note that the high THC effect makes you more sensitive to smell, touch, sound, sight, and taste.
Benefits Of CBD
CBD has so many potential benefits that it has made it the go-to choice for people with different health conditions. It is, however, worth noting that research on CBD is still ongoing to further understand and have scientific evidence that CBD works. Below are some of the potential benefits of CBD:\
Eases Depression And Anxiety
CBD shows promising effects in easing depression and anxiety, making it a good choice for people who are tired of using pharmaceutical drugs. According to research, there are specific doses that are beneficial in reducing anxiety. The good thing about it is that it is not only applicable to adults alone. A study carried out in 2016 showed that CBD oil could safely relieve insomnia and anxiety in kids with PTSD.
Other studies show that CBD has anti-depressant effects and affects how the brain responds to serotonin. Even better, it has been discovered that CBD has anti-stress effects meaning that it reduces depression related to stress. As we always say, further research is needed to substantiate these claims.
Relieves Pain And Inflammation
The human body has a special system known as the endocannabinoid system. This system is generally involved with regulating different functions, including pain. Your body produces endocannabinoids that bind to the cannabinoid receptors located in the nervous system. According to studies, CBD could ease chronic pain by simply impacting the endocannabinoid receptor activity.
CBD better explains the reasons why marijuana is associated with relieving pain. Research carried out on animals shows that CBD could reduce chronic pain. This is possible by reducing inflammation which can ease pain from sciatic nerve pain and surgical incisions. When CBD is combined with THC, it could be more effective in easing the pain brought by arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Alleviating Symptoms Of Cancer
CBD shows a promise of helping with symptoms related to cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy like vomiting and nausea. The research found out that there was a meaningful reduction of pain, especially when CBD and THC are used together. People treated with an extract with these two compounds performed better than those who used a THC extract alone.
Even though there exist drugs that have been made to address such distressing symptoms, they are at times ineffective. This is the main reason why people are looking for alternatives. We, however, need to mention that these are only test-tube studies and animal research. It, therefore, means that we need more human research to be we can make conclusions.
Boosts Heart Health
According to studies, CBD could be beneficial for the heart and the circulatory system in general. For instance, it has been recommended to lower your high blood pressure. In this regard, it can prevent health issues such as heart attack, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. The reason why this could be the case is the fact that CBD can reduce stress and anxiety. In turn, this tends to lower your blood pressure. A study conducted on rats similarly suggested that CBD could help reduce inflammation and cells linked with heart disease.
Reducing Acne
By reducing inflammation, CBD could help to reduce acne as well. Studies have shown that CBD oil can prevent sebaceous gland cells from basically releasing too much sebum. This is what causes acne. It similarly prevents the activation of agents responsible for causing acne. We, however, have to admit that more research is needed to prove that CBD helps with skin conditions.
Effects Of CBD
Research interest around CBD has continued to grow owing to the many health benefits that CBD is believed to have. The good thing about CBD is that it never attaches to CB1 or the CB2 receptors. As we have already explained, CBD can reduce THC’s ability and other cannabinoids to bind with the CB1 receptors.
What this does is reducing THC’s psychoactive effects and increase the number of circulating cannabinoids. A certain review in 2018 showed that CBD could reduce inflammation in your brain by interacting with the CB2 receptors in the brain indirectly.
In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a cannabis-derived CBD medication that treats 2 rare forms of epilepsy. There are so many potential health benefits of CBD s we shall see in later parts of this post.
All the same, more research is needed to fully comprehend the effects and the likely health benefits of CBD. Even though most people will tolerate CBD very well, it could lead to some adverse effects such as:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Mood changes
- Interactions with prescription drugs
- Changes in the appetite
- Liver damage
- Risk of sedation and injuries when used along with alcohol
Is CBD Legal?
As we had stated earlier, the federal laws of the United States are still viewing cannabis as some controlled substance. All the same, back in 2018, the ban on hemp plants was lifted. Therefore, it means that CBD extracted from hemp is legal all over the United States. At the state level, however, CBD products that are hemp-based might have questionable legal status. In line with that, you are advised to double-check individual state laws and the regulations that regard purchasing and the use of CBD.
According to federal law, every CBD product being sold or bought within the United States should have less than 0.3% THC. Violating this renders that product marijuana and illegal for distribution. However, things change when it comes to individual state laws. You will therefore find some states that have legalized the use of recreational marijuana.
In this regard, you could choose to buy products made from CBD, which has been extracted from marijuana. It is also worth learning that the ratios of CBD to THC could differ from a product to the other. Therefore, you must be on the lookout when purchasing different CBD products and seek a doctor’s advice on the same.
Conclusion
We finally bring our discussion to an end, and we hope that we have answered your question of- does CBD get you high. We have learned that CBD that has been extracted from hemp plants will not cause euphoria as that has been sourced from marijuana plants.
According to the United States federal laws, CBD products being sold and bought must have less than 0.3% THC and must be sourced from hemp. The reason for that is that hemp plants have less than 0.3% THC content naturally, which is not the case for marijuana plants.
CBD is ideal for alleviating symptoms of different health conditions like depression, pain, and insomnia. There are different CBD products, including CBD isolates, gummies, tinctures, and the good thing is that they will not cause a high. CBD could therefore be a good addition to your supplement routine.
The only caution you need to practice is ensuring that you get your CBD products from reputable brands. Such brands use independent 3rd party labs to ascertain the quality of their products. Once you get CBD from a reputable brand, you will be amazed at how good you feel with your CBD products and routine.
