Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is an organic compound that’s found in the hemp plant. CBD is nonpsychoactive and this means that it doesn’t alter the way the mind functions and neither does it cause the feeling of euphoria. Its good safety profile, as well as its wide range of health properties, have made it a popular source of alternative medicine. But does CBD get you high since it comes from the cannabis plant? well, below is a review of CBD and how it interacts with the body.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD works in the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex system that helps to regulate various processes in the body through homeostasis. This system is made up of the following components:
- Endocannabinoids i.e., Molecules made naturally in the body
- Endocannabinoid receptors: Include CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found throughout the body.
- Enzymes: They help to break down the endocannabinoids once they have completed their functions.
CBD has properties like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties among others. So, when you take a CBD product, it interacts with the ECS and its properties make it possible to enhance a number of processes in the body including:
- Metabolism
- Mood changes
- Pain
- Appetite and digestion
- Motor control
- Sleep patterns
What Type of CBD Can Make You Feel High?
It is not possible for CBD from hemp plants to make you high. Such products are only rich in cannabidiol with negligible amounts of THC. Well, what’s negligible THC content? This is simply hemp plant extract that contains less than 0.3% THC per dry mass.
However, consuming a CBD product from marijuana can make you feel high. This is because marijuana usually contains 5-30% THC. There are other compounds from the cannabis plant that can make you feel high and they include:
THC
THC is psychoactive hence it can alter the way the mind functions. Taking a product with high THC content will quickly activate the CB1 receptors in the brain, resulting in a feeling of euphoria that’s usually associated with marijuana.
THCV
It’s a compound that has a similar molecular structure to THC. When it is isolated and taken in larger amounts, it can quickly result in a “high” feeling. However, you need to understand that THCV alone is effective in resulting in intoxicating effects but not in a way that it can worsen or cause anxiety. The fact that THCV can help elevate mood and enhance focus means that it can also help to mitigate the intoxicating effects of THC.
CBN
When you expose your THC to high levels of heat and oxygen, you will come across high levels of CBN. Generally, this compound is found in poorly stored or even aged cannabis plant extracts. CBN can help induce potent sedating effects and this can be strengthened with the presence of THC content in your supplement.
How Does CBD Make You Feel?
CBD’s primary effect on the body is promoting a feeling of relaxation. Users usually describe a neutralizing effect for pain and discomfort. There are those who say that it’s effective in neutralizing stress. For others, taking this supplement may provide an exaggerated sense of calmness and peace of mind.
Well, all these effects are due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects. That’s why it can potentially reduce pain and help to relax the body. The compound still has anti-anxiety, anti-epileptic, and neuroprotective properties that make it effective in dealing with numerous health issues.
What’s CBD Used For?
CBD has lots of health benefits. That’s why it’s a popular choice of cannabinoid among people dealing with a variety of health conditions. While there is still a need for more research studies, taking CBD can help the body in the following ways:
- Easing anxiety and depression
- Relieving pain and inflammation
- Minimizing cancer-related symptoms
- Treating seizures and neurological disorders
- Reducing acne
Easing Anxiety and Depression
CBD has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. This makes it effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It’s not only effective for adults but also for children who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.
Relieving Pain and Inflammation
It’s worth noting that CBD could be the reason why cannabis is known to be effective in providing pain relief. The compound has strong and powerful therapeutic effects and this makes it effective in reducing chronic pain. For instance, it can help ease pain from sciatic nerve or surgical incisions.
Additionally, CBD has potent anti-inflammatory effects. It can help to prevent the development of inflammation or reduce its severity. By reducing inflammation, this compound also plays a direct role in easing pain. A combination of THC may even produce better results due to the synergistic reaction that will result in the entourage effect. This makes the blend effective for treating painful and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Minimizing Cancer-Related Symptoms
Cancer and cancer treatment usually produce painful side effects. Besides that, the side effects of chemotherapy treatment such as nausea and vomiting can be quite difficult to manage. But a combination of THC and CBD can help to slow down the progression of cancer cells. In addition to that, CBD has anti-emetic properties that can help reduce the frequency of vomiting.
Treating Seizures and Neurological Disorders
CBD’s anti-epileptic properties can help patients deal with symptoms of epilepsy. The compound can help to reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures significantly. Multiple studies have found that CBD can generally reduce seizure activity in young adults and children. In fact, in 2018, the FDA approved the use of Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, for the treatment of two rare types of seizure disorders – Lenox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes.
Reducing Acne
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it effective in reducing the severity of acne. Studies indicate that cannabidiol oil can help prevent the cells in the sebaceous gland from releasing excess sebum that usually leads to the development of acne. Besides that, this organic cannabis compound is effective in preventing the activating agents that can cause skin inflammation.
Can CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test?
CBD from the industrial hemp plant has less than 0.3% THC and will never make you fail a drug test. You need to understand that there are also three types of CBD products- CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD. All of them have different components including full-spectrum CBD that has trace THC content.
But generally, quality CBD products will never make you fail a drug test. just make sure that you make your purchases directly from the manufacturer or a verified local dispensary. If you want to completely eliminate the risk of failing a drug test, then consider using CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD.
Potential Side Effects of CBD
While CBD doesn’t make you high, its good safety profile doesn’t eliminate the fact that it can cause unwanted side effects. Different people react to this compound differently and that’s why some people may experience side effects and others none at all. The most common side effects of CBD are:
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Diarrhea
- Mild nausea
Note: if you are taking prescription medications, understand that CBD can also result in possible drug interactions. You must, therefore, consult your doctor first.
Is CBD Legal in The US?
CBD is legal federally in the US as long it contains less than 0.3% THC. After the legalization of the 2018 Farm Bill, congress removed the ban on hemp plants. So, purchasing hemp-based CBD extracts is legal in the US. However, you need to understand that different states have different laws and CBD might be still illegal in some states. So, before you make purchases, you should consider checking your state’s laws as well as regulations regarding the purchase and use of CBD products.
Where to Buy CBD Products
You can buy CBD products locally and online from a wide range of retail shops. However, you need to understand that the medical cannabis market is widely unregulated. This means that your chances of buying low quality and probably a psychoactive product are quite high. If you are looking for a high-quality CBD product, then you should make purchases directly from the manufacturer’s website.
Note: Before you finally make purchases, consider the company’s profile including the latest certificate of analysis and independent 3rd-party lab tests. This will help to ensure that you only buy quality and appropriate CBD products.
Conclusion
So, does CBD get you high? CBD can’t get you high since it’s nonpsychoactive. This compound doesn’t have mind-altering properties, especially when it’s extracted from the hemp plant and contains less than 0.3% THC.
However, CBD has lots of health benefits. You can use it to manage various conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, arthritis, and chronic pain among others. you can take CBD products regularly as part of your wellness regimen. Just make sure that you start with smaller doses before gradually increasing the amount until you find what works for you.