Does CBD Get You High?

CBD is closely related to THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid. Does this mean smoking CBD may get you high?

This article will define what CBD is, its components, and its products and look at whether CBD can get you high.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a native compound found in both marijuana and hemp. It is the second most sought-after cannabis cannabinoid after THC.

Cannabidiol can be found in drinks, pet products, lotions, chewable gum, and food.

Unlike THC, taking CBD will not get you high.

What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?

Hemp and marijuana plants are from the same cannabis species. But, cannabis cultivators selectively breed hemp plants for thick stalks. Hemp fibers make clothing, sails, papers and rope.

Hemp is a non-intoxicating cannabis Sativa plant that lacks psychoactive effects. It must have less than 0.3% THC and 18% CBD.

Also, marijuana and hemp plants share other minor cannabinoids that are too small to extract.

We find most of the delta-9 THC in cannabis in the flowering portions of the plant. Marijuana cultivators have sought plants with lush, heavy flowers (buds). They have continuously bred out the CBD because of its calming properties that reduce the raciness of the THC high.

However, since the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized U.S. hemp production, entrepreneurs have mastered using chemical catalysts. They convert hemp-derived CBD into large quantities of cannabinoids. As a result, it has birthed new cannabis compounds with THC’s intoxicating psychoactive effects.

Cannabis plants are the primary source of cannabidiol, but you can get it from hemp. Hemp is legal in all 50 states, and so are hemp-derived CBD products.

The chemical composition and how CBD affects users will always be the same in hemp or cannabis plants.

Effects of CBD and THC 

CBD and THC are the primary and most popular cannabis compounds. Both are cannabis types but have distinct qualities. Therefore, some varieties will have more THC and a scant amount of CBD and vice versa. The average cannabis plant has 12% THC and less than 0.15% CBD.

Both CBD and THC have 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The difference leads to different chemical properties. Hence, they affect consumers differently.

Both CBD and THC affect our endocannabinoid system (ECS) differently. The ECS is a lipid signaling network in our central and peripheral nervous systems. It comprises enzymes, endogenous cannabinoids, and cannabinoid receptors. For example, endocannabinoids affect ECS’s two primary cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.

By activating the brain’s reward system and releasing dopamine, THC produces a high effect. THC binds with the CBI receptors in our brain, linked with movement, memory, pain, and inflammation. It also binds with CB2 receptors found in the brainstem and hippocampus.

CB2 receptors link to our memory and emotions. Our immune cells, liver cells, spleen, and bone cells also have these receptors. Therefore, the widespread use of these CBI and CB2 receptors may explain why THC’s high effects are so psychologically and physically prominent.

Moreover, exogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoids created outside the body like THC and CBD, can also bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain.

While tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid agonist, CBD is an antagonist. So, is CBD psychoactive or intoxicating?

CBD hinders the intoxicating effect caused by the CB1 receptors. If you take both cannabinoids, CBD may inhibit the high impact; hence, you may not get high.

THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, has intoxicating properties. So, cannabidiol will not get you high, but it is psychoactive. Therefore, consuming cannabidiol may lead to a mellow feeling.

Will CBD Oil Get You High?

Both THC and CBD are isolated from cannabis. Hence, most people think CBD will get them high. However, cannabis-derived CBD is non-intoxicating. Likewise, CBD from hemp is non-psychoactive.

Smoking marijuana strains with significant THC and CBD amounts rarely produce undesirable effects. For example, high THC and low CBD cannabis strains may cause paranoia and anxiety.

Although cannabidiol may cause a calming and relaxing effect, it does not change spatial and sensory perception like THC. Therefore CBD is psychoactive but non-intoxicating.

High concentrations of CBD can cause an uplifting feeling. But it is not the same as THC’s high effect.

CBD Oil Extraction Process

Hemp contains more cannabidiol than the cannabis plant. As a result, hemp farmers take advantage of hemp’s naturally high CBD content and grow the plants to yield CBD-rich flowers.

After harvesting, removers bring the cannabis to the extraction facility. A solvent helps extract CBD and other cannabinoids from hemp. Reputable manufacturers use liquid CO2 to remove it. The liquid CO2 technology allows for efficient extraction without heat or solvents.

Next, the viscous hemp extract undergoes fractional distillation. The manufacturer isolates particular cannabinoids and reinstates them in the final product in the desired ratios. Furthermore, the extractors only leave 0.3 percent THC in the CBD oil.

Extractors should conduct the process correctly, as any mistakes may cause a product to be tainted with an illegal dose of THC.

Look for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) from a third-party lab to ensure your CBD oil does not contain more than 0.3 percent THC. Third-party laboratories confirm the cannabidiol content in the tested sample and check for common contaminants to verify if the product is safe.

Ways to Consume CBD Products

CBD from cannabis or hemp can make oils, tinctures, and lotions. However, the safest method of consuming cannabidiol is by taking it orally. It may be a tablet, chewable, or a tincture.

• Tinctures: A tincture is a concentrated liquid we commonly administer in our bodies with a dropper. Manufactures make tinctures with actual CBD oil and carrier oils like MCT or coconut oil. You can only consume tinctures orally; don’t vape them.
• CBD oil: You can take CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue). You can also add it to drinks and foods or use it with vape pens.
• Vape juice (e-liquid): You can vape it using a standard vape pen or mod. Cannabidiol e-liquid oils are not CBD real oils. Instead, e-liquid is made with propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.
• CBD-derived capsules and pills may help with sleep deprivation, digestive problems, and seizure disorders. However, unlike CBD oil, capsules and pills take longer to absorb.
• CBD edibles: Taking CBD edibles or swallowing a tincture is the slowest way to consume it. Our bodies must process the cannabidiol through the liver before reaching the bloodstream and brain.
• CBD lotions: Another CBD product is lotions. You can use them to relieve muscle and joint spasms. Cannabidiol lotion may also help treat skin diseases like acne and eczema.

Illegally sold synthetic CBD-derived products, “spice,” or “bath salts,” and other less-sinister additives like melatonin are lab-created chemical compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors. However, they are 100 times more potent than THC and can cause extended psychotic episodes or death.

Purchase CBD products from reputable dealers offering third-party chemical analyses of their products. If you think CBD oils may make you fail a drug test, you may need to do that.

Can CBD Oils Make You Fail a Drug Test?

Hemp-derived CBD is processed into various kinds of cannabidiol products. However, they can cause a failed drug test, so you can use them to enjoy cannabidiol benefits. If you are concerned about a failed drug test, CBD isolates and broad-spectrum cannabidiol contain less THC than other cannabinoids. Hence, they are the safest ways to consume cannabidiol.

Full-spectrum cannabidiol contains traces of THC. Full-spectrum CBD products may therefore contribute to a failed drug test. So, it would be best to avoid it before a drug test.

In contrast to THC products, using pure or almost pure cannabidiol will not make you fail a drug test. However, be careful when choosing the right cannabidiol products.

Prominent companies publish them on their websites or send them to users on request.

Is Marijuana-Derived CBD Legal?

Some states allow recreational and medical marijuana consumption. In other states, only medical marijuana products are legal. Finally, both medical and recreational marijuana are legal in a few states.

Moreover, the 2018 Farm Bill didn’t remove cannabidiol from the Controlled Substances Act but clarified that it was never on.

The FDA regulation has created rules around cannabidiol sales. The officials recently formed a group to make guidelines to enable firms to market CBD products legally. We consider CBD products to be supplements that are not FDA-regulated. Therefore, according to FDA regulations, it is illegal for firms to make health or therapeutic claims about their marketed products. The FDA also announced it is cracking down on cannabidiol firms using “egregious and unfounded claims” to sell their products.

Also, FDA has only approved prescription medications like Epidiolex. Epidiolex helps treat rare and severe seizure disorders in young ones.

Consult your health state department to know whether marijuana-deprived CBD is legal in your state.

Does CBD Have Health Benefits?

There is not enough research about CBD’s potential health benefits. Testing also shows that cannabidiol does not contain all the components found in the dosing information. Hence, it makes people suspect cannabidiol has potential health benefits. Here are some of the medically reviewed cannabidiol benefits.

• Chronic pain: According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) Trusted Source, CBD may have modest chronic pain benefits.
• Anxiety and stress relief: According to a CBD pre-review report by WHO, cannabidiol helps relieve stress and anxiety. It also plays a role in relieving pain.
• Epilepsy treatment: The FDA approves the first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
• Schizophrenia: Cannabidiol has been medically reviewed to help people with schizophrenia avoid the side effects of antipsychotic medication.
• Therapeutic benefits: WHO claims that cannabidiol may contain therapeutic benefits that may help treat:Brain injuries related to restricted blood flow.
  • Health conditions like neurodegenerative diseases. Multiple sclerosis (M.S. ), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
  • Inflammation. Cannabidiol may help reduce inflammation. It can also treat inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel and Crohn’s.

Moreover, cannabidiol helps treat dementia, chemotherapy side effects, weight loss, depression, nerve and muscle pain. In addition, CBD-rich weed strains may inhibit THC-induced psychosis effects.

Where Should You Buy Cannabis-Derived Products?

It would be best to buy cannabidiol products from a dispensary or licensed marijuana institution. Make sure the products are well-labeled with CBD and THC dosing information. A small amount of both is acceptable. But, a higher amount of THC may be risky.

Not all CBD products are medically reviewed and standardized. As a result, the information may differ. Therefore, it would be best to record your cannabidiol product, quantity, and response. It may help you know what works best for you.

How to Ensure Authenticity in Your CBD Product?

It is challenging to find good cannabidiol. However, these few tricks may help you build trust with a CBD brand.

Look for Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

For quality cannabidiol, choose full-spectrum CBD products over an isolate. Full-spectrum oils include many cannabinoids and original compounds from the hemp plant. These cannabinoids may help increase the benefits of cannabidiol in your body.

Full-spectrum CBD oil compounds include proteins, fatty acids, fiber, terpenes, flavonoids and chlorophyll.

Do Research

Research licensed cannabidiol products and reputable firms to buy your products. Also, look for products that are well and accurately labeled. A reputable firm will not compromise its cannabidiol lab results.

Try Experimenting

Cannabidiol affects everyone differently. A cannabidiol product may make you feel entirely different from another. So, try different cannabidiol types to settle on the one that keeps you from experiencing your desired effects.

Side Effects of CBD 

According to the WHO, cannabidiol is safe for use. However, CBD research is still in its infancy and only little about it has been medically reviewed; we need more proof to support the claims. Despite its general acceptance, it has shown some side effects for some users. They include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

• Irritability
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Mild nausea

In addition, it is unclear if cannabidiol is suitable for children. So consult your healthcare provider before using it.

Is CBD Legal in the US?

You can buy cannabidiol in the U.S. even without a medical cannabis card. However, according to U.S. federal law, it is illegal to add cannabidiol to foods, dietary supplements and products marketed as having therapeutic benefits. Also, the FDA has not yet approved nonprescription CBD products.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the intensity of the THC and CBD ratio may get you high. For example, 5% to 35% marijuana-derived CBD oil may cause some intoxicating effects.

Hemp-derived CBD oil won’t make you feel high because it contains only negligible amounts of THC.

Therefore, hemp-derived CBD oil is federally legal and you can sell and buy it without a prescription. You can buy it from the local health stores, dispensaries, vape shops and online stores.