Because CBD has only been widely available for a short time, it is common to have questions about it. In addition to wanting to know more about it in general, many people wonder, “does CBD get you high?”
We’ll answer that question and also cover what CBD feels like.
The Quick Answer: Does CBD Get You High?
To keep things short, if you want to know whether CBD oil gets you high, the answer is no.
Read on to learn why.
Understanding CBD vs THC – Why CBD Doesn’t Get You High
The main reason that CBD does not get you high is that it rarely includes notable amounts of THC. As a refresher, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol.
These are the best-known and most prevalent cannabinoids found in Cannabis sativa plants. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, so it is what makes you feel high.
A Quick Comparison of CBD and THC
For most people, the most important difference between CBD and THC is that THC can get you high, but CBD cannot.
There are also some other important distinctions. One is that CBD can come from hemp or cannabis, while THC is only found in cannabis. As a refresher, a Cannabis sativa plant qualifies as hemp if its THC content is under 0.3%. If it is higher than this, it is considered cannabis.
The amount of each cannabinoid that is usually present is also different. On average, cannabis strains have about 12% THC with CBD content under 0.15%. By contrast, the average hemp plant can have as much as 18% CBD.
The higher concentration of CBD in hemp plants combined with federal laws makes hemp-based CBD much more popular than cannabis-based CBD. If you want a more technical explanation of the differences between CBD and THC, consider that THC binds with your CB1 and CB2 (cannabinoid) receptors, but CBD does not. It is this binding that leads to the effects THC creates on the body.
In addition to not binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD can actually reduce the ability of THC to bind to them. This means that consuming CBD along with THC may reduce the psychoactive effects of the THC.
Can You Get High Off CBD?
As mentioned, the reason that CBD does not get you high is because it does not include THC. But should you choose a CBD oil or CBD capsules that also includes THC, then there is the chance one might feel the effects of a high.
Most companies that produce CBD products make it a point not to include THC for several reasons. If their products are hemp-derived and include THC content of 0.3% or less, they do not face any federal restrictions.
There is also the fact that some people do not want to risk that their CBD products include higher-than-labeled THC, which is why it’s imperative to choose a CBD brand that is transparent about their formulas. CBD capsule benefits are great, and it’s important all brands play by the rules so we can continue to enjoy them.
Many companies also offer products that include both THC and CBD. The important thing is that reputable companies will always clearly label their products and boxes. You should be able to easily see if it has less than 0.3% THC, has no THC, or has a higher quantity of THC. This lets you choose whether you will get the effects of THC. Also reputable companies should provide easy access to Certificate of Analysis batch reports that show exactly what is in the product you are interested in.
Types of CBD Categorized by What They Include
While some CBD tinctures may use plain language such as “THC-free” to let you know what they include, others will use industry terms. The following explanations should make it easy to tell whether your chosen product has THC, as well as to know what else it includes.
CBD Isolate: This only includes CBD. There is no THC, nor any other terpenes, cannabinoids, or flavonoids. It is typically a powder or crystalline solid.
Full-Spectrum CBD: This CBD will include a little of everything. “Full-spectrum” means that the manufacturing process did not remove terpenes, flavonoids, or cannabinoids – or THC.
Broad-Spectrum CBD: Broad-spectrum CBD sits in the middle of the two extremes. It is nearly identical to full-spectrum CBD, but it does not have any THC.
So does CBD oil get you high? In this regard, CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD products will not get you high. Full-spectrum CBD products may, depending on the levels of THC and one’s biological make up. While you are very unlikely to “get high”, it is still possible to notice some minor psychoactive effects.
Opting for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD products may give you the benefit of achieving the Entourage Effect. This term refers to the fact that each cannabinoid tends to have stronger effects when you consume them together. People looking to take CBD for stress, for example, seek to maximize this effect.
The best way to confirm whether a product has any THC is to look at its lab analysis. The best CBD manufacturers will publish lab testing to help you make an informed decision, so this should not be a problem.
What Does Taking CBD Feel Like?
While everyone is different, so is their experience with how CBD will make them feel. The combination of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes offer support for a calm mind and body.
How CBD Interacts With Your Body
As mentioned, CBD does not bind with CB1 receptors. Instead, it inhibits their activity. These interactions make it possible for CBD to produce effects that some people may consider therapeutic.
Research into the endocannabinoid system and CBD balance is still in its early stages. While we know that CBD does not get you high, experts still need to do more research to confirm what else it can and cannot do.
Factors that May Affect What CBD Feels Like
It is also important to mention that not everyone will react identically to CBD. It depends on your body chemistry. The effects that you notice will depend on your metabolism, diet, weight and genetics.
They will also depend on the CBD product that you use. How you feel after consuming CBD will depend on your biological makeup, the CBD oil strength you decide to consume and the quality of the product.
How Long It Takes to Feel the Effects of CBD
As mentioned, everyone is different, but in general, results can be seen anywhere from a few hours to 6 weeks. Consistency is key to achieving a desired result.
Choose the Right Products
Making sure to choose your CBD products carefully is crucial. This is especially important because CBD products are not yet well-regulated. This essentially means that you need to look for lab testing and at the company’s reputation to confirm that you are choosing a high-quality product. Because of the lack of regulation, the best way to find answers to questions like can you get high off cbd? is to look at what a CBD product includes via lab testing. You should only buy from companies that are transparent and publish lab testing results. This testing not only confirms the quantities of each cannabinoid but also confirms that there are no heavy metals or other potentially harmful contaminants in the product.
Looking at the company’s reputation can also be helpful, as it lets you see if past customers have complained about the products or any negative effects.
HempFusion is a leader in the CBD industry due to their commitment to providing radical transparency and top-of-the-line products.
The Bottom Line: Does CBD Oil Get You High?
No, CBD oil will not get you high. The caveat here is that CBD alone does not get you high. If you choose a full-spectrum CBD product, then it may have mild psychoactive effects depending on the individual. In this case, it’s possible you can – you get high off cbd.
CBD products help support your overall wellness and endocannabinoid balance, and may offer support for a calm mind and body. To make sure that you stay safe while consuming CBD, ensure that you choose a product from a reputable company. Take the time to confirm that they have a good reputation and to check for lab testing, preferably from a third party. (Such as what we offer, for example.)
Interested in learning more? Learn how to choose the best CBD for you.