Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and marijuana plants, is becoming more popular daily. Unlike its more well-known counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce a high. Instead, it has been demonstrated to have many therapeutic benefits, including pain relief, anti-inflammatory properties, and even anti-anxiety effects.
But just because CBD, a controlled substance, doesn’t make you feel high doesn’t mean it won’t affect your body. Considering CBD oils for pain management or other health conditions, it’s essential to understand how it works.
So does CBD get you high? Here’s everything you need to know about cannabidiol.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is a compound in cannabis Sativa plants, including hemp and recreational marijuana. CBD products that are extracted from hemp plants often contain little or no THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. However, CBD products derived from the cannabis plant typically contain higher THC levels and can cause intoxication.
CBD-derived products come with numerous medical benefits without making people feel “stoned,” and they can counteract the psychoactive effects of THC. In addition, CBD is a well-known treatment for various ailments, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and cancer.
CBD is one of over 60 compounds in cannabis that belong to the cannabinoids class of ingredients. THC was the most well-known cannabinoid until recently due to its abundance in marijuana. However, full spectrum CBD has gained popularity in the last decade due to its lack of intoxicating effects and numerous health benefits.
The CBD-based drug is now being studied for its ability to treat many disorders, from epilepsy to chronic pain. Many use it as an anti-inflammatory agent for individuals who suffer from autoimmune disorders such as severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Do CBD Products Make You High?
The short answer is that it depends.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, meaning it doesn’t have a high association with marijuana. THC, on the other hand, is the main psychoactive component in cannabis that produces a “high” feeling.
However, there are some important caveats to this statement:
The amount of CBD in your hemp-derived CBD oil or other products makes them effective or ineffective. If you want to use CBD for anxiety, you must take enough to affect your body. The same goes for relieving pain or any other use of the substance.
CBD oil is also made from different plants that contain different levels of CBD and THC. Some have more than others, so they will not work well when looking for a high-quality product.
Some companies sell CBD diluted with something else, such as ethanol or propylene glycol (PG). It can be dangerous when found in CBD vape products because it can cause damage to your lungs and make it harder for them to function correctly.
Furthermore, the effects of CBD can be felt throughout the body and brain in various ways.
Some of the most common effects Of CBD include:
- Reduces anxiety and relieves stress levels
- It helps with pain relief
- Promotes a positive mood
- Increases relaxation
How Does CBD Oil Interact with Your Body?
CBD helps your body interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and immune system. These receptors are naturally occurring proteins found throughout the body that help regulate the activity of cells (including neurons) based on whether or not they detect certain chemical compounds known as neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin that transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. When compounds like CBD bind to these receptors, they can help regulate interactions between your body’s system and other cannabinoids.
The interaction will significantly depend on the dosage and method of delivery. Most people use CBD topically but can consume it orally through edibles or tinctures. Tinctures are considered one of the safest ways to ingest CBD.
What Does Taking CBD Oils Feel Like?
Taking CBD orally (through your mouth) will take some time to kick in. It usually takes up to 30 minutes but can be up to an hour or more, depending on your dosage, how much food you eat, and how fast your body absorbs nutrients. You might also notice that it takes longer for the effects to set in if you have just eaten something because food slows down the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.
Some people describe feeling energized instead of tired after taking their daily CBD oil dose for anxiety or pain management purposes! It may happen if you have not taken any other drugs or alcohol recently, as these substances can alter how cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
If you decide to try CBD, here are some things you might experience:
Relaxation
Relaxation is one of the most common effects people report when taking CBD oil. Some users say they feel more at ease after taking CBD because it helps them relax their minds and body.
Less Pain & Inflammation
CBD helps reduce inflammation and pain in the body by interacting with receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The ECS regulates numerous physiological processes, including mood, appetite, sleep cycles, and pain perception.
Can CBD Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?
The answer is yes and no.
Let me explain.
CBD is among the various compounds found in cannabis plants, most of which are not psychoactive. However, the level of THC in a CBD product can vary greatly depending on the extraction method used. In some cases, it’s possible for a CBD product to have a meager amount of THC or none at all but still fail a drug test for medical marijuana-derived CBD.
Many companies use industrial hemp to extract their approved nonprescription hemp-derived CBD products with trace amounts of THC (below 0.3%). These products are often sold as “hemp oil” or “hemp extract,“ even though they’re not actual extracts from hemp seeds or stalks.
They’re just cheap forms of CBD that can be made with any type of organic matter, including leaves, stems, and stalks from marijuana plants — which are still classified as Schedule I drugs under federal law.
In Conclusion
Cannabidiol is an effective treatment for many conditions and symptoms. However, it does not contain CBD psychoactive properties and, therefore, cannot get you high.
It is essential to understand that there are two species of cannabis: Sativa and Indica. Both contain cannabidiol but in different ratios. The Sativa plant is known for its energizing effects, while Indica is more relaxing and calming. The same applies to non-psychoactive CBD products, which differ in their ratio of THC and CBD compounds.
However, most CBD products you see in stores like Uno CBD are hemp-derived CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC and are permitted by law. But it is still crucial you keep up with the CBD legal landscape since the rules are continuously evolving.
References
Can You Get High from CBD or CBD Oil? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/does-cbd-get-you-high
What is an herbal tincture? Recipes and uses. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324149
Evaluation of the effects of CBD hemp extract on opioid use and quality of life indicators in chronic pain patients: a prospective cohort study. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31711352/