Does CBD Get You High?

What Is CBD?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that CBD is becoming a major player in a lot of markets both on and offline. You may even know someone who already takes CBD, in the form of vaping, edibles, oils or tinctures, on a daily basis, but does CBD get you high? What does CBD feel like?

Practically unheard of just a decade ago, CBD has been taking the world by storm, especially since the first FDA-approved CBD isolate went to market in 2018 to claiming to help manage epilepsy. So, let’s take a look at the difference between CBD and THC, to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Does CBD Get You High?

One of the biggest concerns that people have regarding CBD is its association with the cannabis plant. Firstly, many people don’t like the feeling of being high, and secondly, even more people don’t want to feel high, especially when it comes to everyday life responsibilities including going to work and caring for your family. So, does CBD get you high? The short answer is, absolutely not. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound and in order to understand this fully, it’s worth knowing a bit more about phytocannabinoids. Especially the difference between CBD and THC.

A Short Introduction to Cannabinoids

CBD and THC are just two of around 100 cannabinoids that can be found in the cannabis plant, and are by far the most dominant and well-known. Hemp and marijuana are the two primary species of cannabis plant, and while they may look similar to the untrained eye, they have very different chemical compositions. Nearly a century of misinformation about cannabis has understandably led to confusion when it comes to the differences between the two species.

Broadly speaking, the hemp cannabis plant has historically been used in various industries to make items such as textiles, paper, and rope. It contains large amounts of CBD and very tiny amounts (0.3% or less) of THC. Marijuana plants on the other hand, contain greater levels of THC and are often specifically bred for their THC content (typically around 15-40%). The high feeling that has long been associated with cannabis, should actually be associated with marijuana, or even more specifically, THC.

While both CBD and THC have been found to have impact on the human body, THC is a highly intoxicating compound that sparks mind-altering effects (like alcohol and LSD), while CBD on the other hand triggers no intoxicating effects at all. It stimulates the body to a level that’s similar to chocolate or caffeine.

So, if you’ve been wondering if CBD edibles get you high, or if you have questions like, will CBD hemp oil get you high, or does CBD isolate get you high? The answer is no, no, and no. The only cannabis products that will get you high contain THC, so if you’re looking to get high then CBD isn’t the cannabinoid for you.

What Does CBD Feel Like?

What does CBD do? How will you feel when you take it? Does CBD make you sleepy? These are all natural and common questions. The answers depend on how much you take. CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, which plays a huge role in the physiological and cognitive processes in your body. The endocannabinoid system affects sleep regulation, mood, pain, and memory, among other things.

How CBD Works In Your Body

Without bogging you down with too much science, while studying cannabinoids back in the 1960’s, scientists discovered the existence of our endocannabinoid system. Decades of further research revealed that we have two types of cannabinoid receptors in our central and peripheral nervous systems, and that these receptors are more plentiful than any other neurotransmitter receptors in our bodies. So, it’s easy to see why cannabinoids have caused so much excitement in medical research…

We’ve also discovered that our bodies produce their own naturally-occuring endocannabinoids. Anandamide, named after the sanskrit word “ananda”, meaning bliss, was the first naturally-occuring endocannabinoid discovered, followed by 2-AG a few years later. While THC binds directly to your cannabinoid receptors, CBD has an indirect influence on these receptors that stimulate your body’s production of its own endocannabinoids.

CBD = No High At All

Understanding the difference between CBD and THC is the key to feeling completely at ease when it comes to trying out CBD for yourself. If you’ve never taken it before however, always consult a doctor trained in medicinal cannabis and start with lower doses, gradually building up to a level that works for you.