Does CBD Get You High?

Does CBD oil get you high? Short answer, no.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is naturally non-intoxicating. You may feel calmer when taking it as CBD’s effects are more relaxing vs a high feeling.  

Not only will CBD not get you high, but it actually counteracts the high effects of THC, which is the compound notorious for getting people high.

Looking for more detail about why CBD doesn’t get you high, continue reading! We’ve also created this comprehensive CBD oil buyers guide to help you select the perfect product.

CBD vs THC What’s the Difference?

CBD’s close relationship with THC is the reason people ask if CBD can get you high, but before we talk about the difference, we believe it’s important to understand how they are similar.

Both CBD and THC are compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids naturally occur in our bodies as well as in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 known cannabinoids with more being discovered. Each cannabinoid has varying effects which occur due to the cannabinoids’ interaction with our bodies’ natural endocannabinoid system (ECS).

We expect a new age of research to occur on CBD’s benefits and effects due to hemp being de-scheduled in the recently signed 2018 Farm Bill. Research into hemp-derived CBD was made available in the 2014 Farm Bill, but many colleges and universities shied away from it due to the close relationship with THC.

With more research on the way, initial anecdotal evidence on the benefits of CBD is it may promote a sense of calm, soothe sore muscles and joints, positive impact on mood and stress, and enhance rest and relaxation. Though the anecdotal results are positive, we are excited to see more research and case studies that provide supporting documentation.

Tetrahydrocannabinol THC is different from CBD in that it has intoxicating or psychoactive “high” effects. The most common being anxiety, followed by an altered conscious perception, paranoia, euphoria, introspection, and more. The intoxicating effects of THC are what have overshadowed the benefits of CBD and caused much confusion about the difference between the two compounds.

The question of whether CBD oil can get you high is also confusing because CBD and THC naturally occur in the same plant species of cannabis. The difference between hemp and marijuana is important to understand if you’re wondering, can CBD oil get you high? The reason it is important is that CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana.

For more information about the difference between CBD and THC, see the related post link below.

[RELATED POST: CBD vs THC: The Difference Explained]

Hemp vs Marijuana

Hemp-derived CBD product is much different from a marijuana-derived CBD product. The reason they are different starts with the hemp and marijuana plants and what makes them up.

While hemp and marijuana look very similar and share many of the same compounds, they are different in their cannabinoid contents. Hemp contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC (below .3%). Marijuana contains high levels of THC and low levels of CBD, therefore, if you do not want to get high, make sure to find out if your CBD product is derived from hemp and not marijuana.

To do this, you will need to ask for a lab test or certificate of analysis on the product. If you are new to reading a lab test from a CBD manufacturer, see our post on How to Read a Certificate of Analysis.

All of the CBD products found here on Made By Hemp are extracted from hemp.    

For more on the difference between hemp and marijuana, see the link for the related post.

[RELATED POST: Hemp vs Marijuana: What’s the Difference?]

CBD Extraction Process

CBD is extracted from the industrial hemp plant in the form of an oil. In order to be considered legal in the United States, CBD oil must contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This is a trace amount of THC and is not enough to create a high. And, as mentioned previously, CBD negates even the trace amounts of THC by inhibiting the THC from interacting with our cannabinoid cb1 receptors.

cbd extraction process
Melting hemp oil

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CBD oil should I take?

Each person is different when it comes to taking CBD oil. Some people require a higher serving size to notice a difference, whereas other people require a small serving size to notice the benefits. If you are new to CBD, take a look at our CBD Oil Buyers Guide to figure out which product best suits you. Start with the serving size recommended on the product you choose for one week. If you do not notice a difference, double the serving size for week two and repeat until you find your sweet spot.  

[RELATED POST: How Much CBD Should I Take?]

What are the Effects of CBD Oil?

As mentioned in the last question, each person is different when it comes to taking CBD oil. Overall, CBD’s main effect is promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Once you find your sweet spot, if you want to feel calmer, take a little more than you know your sweet spot is. If you are wanting to feel slightly more relaxed and more focused, try taking a little less than your sweet spot.

Can CBD edibles get you high?

As long as the edibles are hemp-derived instead of marijuana, no, CBD edibles will not get you high.

How long do infused edibles take to work?

CBD edibles can take effect anywhere from 30-90 minutes. The time it takes will depend on how your body interacts with cannabinoids. We suggest trying CBD edibles in the safety of your own home when first figuring out your sweet spot.

That said, once you figure out your sweet spot, you should have no problem taking CBD edibles during the day or even while driving a car.

How long does CBD last?

How long the effects of CBD will last depend on how much you are taking and what your tolerance level is. A good place for starters is in the 5-25mg range. Start small, and work your way up. The only way to know how cannabinoids affect you is to try them.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD, also known as endocannabinoid, works by directly affecting the endocannabinoid system that is in your body. This system, often abbreviated as the ECS system, contains both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and these receptors are mostly responsible for sending messages to your brain. Specifically, CBD intercepts both of these receptors so that it significantly affects your ECS system. 

Your body’s ECS system regulates quite a few different physiological and biological processes. Some of the processes that your ECS regulates include digestion, sleep, mood, managing pain, and even inflammation. Your ECS system regulates other processes in addition to those as well. You should also know that it can take some time for CBD to work. 

Is CBD a Psychoactive Substance?

Yes, CBD is a psychoactive substance, but it is important to define exactly what psychoactive actually means. A psychoactive substance is a substance that changes mental behaviors or processes. That being said, just because a substance is psychoactive does not mean that it actually gets you high. 

Quite a few sources claim that CBD is not psychoactive, but this is not the case. CBD is indeed psychoactive because it tempers the feeling that you get when you ingest marijuana and become intoxicated. Another example of CBD’s psychoactivity is the fact that it helps treat both depression and anxiety. 

How Do You Feel After Taking CBD?

It is important to begin by pointing out that CBD affects everyone differently. If you do not take enough doses of CBD, you will probably not feel much effect at all. If you take a sufficient amount of CBD, it has some health benefits that might make you feel calmer and more relaxed, too. Some of the people that use CBD say that they feel less stressed out after taking some CBD. CBD can help you sleep, but it does not cause drowsiness. 

Instead, CBD helps you sleep indirectly. You might struggle to sleep due to pain or anxiety. In those cases, CBD can help treat your anxiety or pain and therefore make it easier for you to sleep.

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

Generally speaking, researchers on CBD show that any side effects of taking CBD are both uncommon and usually minor. However, some side effects do happen sometimes, and one of the rare side effects is your mouth might get dry after you take CBD. Fatigue, weight or appetite changes, nausea, and diarrhea are some other potential side effects of taking CBD as is low blood pressure. Various factors like your age, how much CBD you take, your weight, and any medication you are on can affect what side effects if any, you experience. 

Can Taking CBD Make You Fail a Drug Test?

If you take pure CBD, it will not make you fail a drug test. However, depending on the drug test, it is possible that taking CBD can make you fail if the CBD product contains some THC. This could lead to a false positive result on a drug test. Since it is unclear, we recommend that you refrain from taking any CBD for a while before you take a drug test. However, it is also best if you tell your employer about your CBD use so they can look at your drug test results and interpret them with proper context.

Do you have more questions about our products or CBD? Contact us here during business hours and one of our knowledgeable customer care team members can help answer any questions you may still have. 

If you are new to CBD and interested to see how it can benefit you, be sure to shop Made By Hemp.