Does CBD Get You High? Answers Backed by Science

Cannabidiol (CDB) is a common and popular cannabinoid — a natural compound found in hemp and cannabis plants.

While it’s only one of the hundreds of cannabinoids, CBD has received much attention lately, especially after changes to federal law in 2018 — this has led to an extreme rise in the production and marketing of CBD-infused products.

Another well-known product of the cannabis plant is tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC), which is where the psychoactive effects of cannabis and marijuana come from — this compound that gets you high.

However, CBD does not cause a high similar to THC. But it can produce various positive health effects, such as helping people manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

So if you’re looking to CBD to get a high feeling similar to consuming cannabis, you’ll have to look elsewhere, but CBD has some unique benefits of its own.

Still have questions about CBD? Find all of the science-backed answers you need here!

Why People Associate Getting High With CBD

Because both THC and CBD come from the cannabis plant, many people assume that CBD will cause the same psychoactive effects as consuming marijuana. However, CBD does not cause a high effect and is not intoxicating.

Most CBD products are isolated from the plant and THC before being infused into edibles, oils, topicals, etc.

In addition, many CBD products come from the hemp plant, which also has zero psychoactive properties.

And many states only allow you to buy and sell hemp-derived CBD, which can contain no more than 0.3% THC, which is not nearly enough of the substance to create any psychoactive effects.

So Can CBD Get You High?

Once CBD gets extracted from the hemp or cannabis plant, companies add it to various products, like gummies, lotions, and tinctures. Arguably one of the most common CBD products is gummies, which are convenient and easy to take and typically are flavored to taste almost like a candy.

Many people take these products to help them in a natural way — and research has shown that CBD can reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. But these effects are not equivalent to the high from consuming cannabis.

In addition, higher concentrations of CBD can cause an uplifting, euphoric effect, but it’s still not the same as a THC high.

Understanding CBD vs. THC

THC and CBD share the same molecular structure, but there’s a slight difference in the atoms’ arrangement, which accounts for the differing effects each substance has on your body.

They are both chemically similar to the endocannabinoids in your body, allowing THC and CBD to interact with your body’s cannabinoid receptors.

This interaction affects the way your brain releases neurotransmitters — the chemicals responsible for managing stress, sleep, pain, immune function, and more.

Despite their chemical similarities, THC and CBD do not produce the same psychoactive effects. And while CBD is a psychoactive substance, it’s not psychoactive in the same manner as THC, nor does it produce the high associated with cannabis.

THC binds with your brain’s CB1 receptors, producing the high you get from consuming cannabis, which is even greater when inhaling the compound compared to ingesting it.

However, CBD binds very weakly to those receptors, and it needs THC to do so, which can help reduce some unwanted effects of THC, including sedation.

Related: Benefits of CBD + THC

Health Benefits and Effects of CBD

So you won’t get the cannabis high from consuming CBD, but you will get some unique health benefits. In addition, CBD may make you feel relaxed, making it feel somewhat similar to a high, but it’s not intoxicating.

Some science-backed health benefits of a CBD routine include:

Pain Relief

Scientists have found CBD and other components of the cannabis plant to have exceptional pain-relieving effects. For example:

One study found CBD to help reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
Another study showed that Sativex helped participants with MS improve their walking ability, pain, and muscle spasms.
Almost 3,000 people with fibromyalgia reported significantly improved symptoms with CBD treatment.

Mental Health Effects

Another common use of CBD is for treating mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Many studies have found CBD to be extremely effective in reducing symptoms. For example:

CBD was found to be effective in treating insomnia and PTSD in children.
Another study found the compound to help treat social anxiety.
A recent study found that CBD shows promise in helping treat anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

New studies are consistently coming out showing CBD’s potential to treat a variety of other conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

It is important to note that you must be 18 and over to purchase or use Go Botanicals CBD products. And although we do not make any specific health claims related to our products, we are avid readers of the incredible research being done regarding potential benefits of the hemp plant. We also greatly enjoy the anecdotal feedback we receive from our customers and feel it is prudent to share this with others.

Potential Side Effects of CBD

According to the WHO, CBD is safe to consume. However, the full spectrum of effects and uses is still unknown.

And despite its general acceptance, some people — although uncommon — experience negative side effects, especially when consuming CBD in high concentrations.

These possible side effects include:

Nausea
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Diarrhea

In addition, if you take prescription medications, they may interact with CBD and cause one or the other to be less beneficial or interact and cause severe side effects.

Is Using CBD Products Legal?

While cannabis is a controlled substance on the federal level, Congress lifted the prohibition on hemp plants in 2018, meaning that hemp-derived CBD is legal unless outlawed at the state level.

However, CBD must contain under 0.3% THC to be legal under federal law. States with recreational or medical marijuana may sell cannabis-derived CBD with higher levels of THC — these products typically produce a high feeling.

Searching for high-quality CBD so that you don’t have to worry about THC content? We’ve got you covered.

CBD and THC: Different Effects, Different Highs

Even though you can extract CBD from the cannabis plant, it does not create the same state of euphoria or high as the THC compound also found in the plant.

However, CBD may help you feel less anxious or relaxed without getting high. And if you combine THC and CBD, you’ll likely get a lesser high than using THC alone because of how the two compounds interact.

So don’t worry about getting high from using CBD — find high-quality products that are tested for cannabinoid concentrations, and start getting the health benefits today.

Still not sure what you want to try? We love to talk about CBD! Contact us by using our chat function while you shop (talk to a real person!), call us at 800.894.9688 or email us at contact@gobotanicals.com. We can't wait to hear from you.

Related: Why Do People Use CBD?

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