Does CBD Get You High?

As interest in CBD grows, more and more people are curious to know if CBD oil can get you high. After all, it does come from the same family as THC, a compound known for its psychotropic effects. To find out if there is any risk of getting high from CBD, keep reading.

Can CBD get you high?

Getting straight to the point, the short answer is no—CBD cannot get you high. It's unable to produce the same psychotropic effects (a “high”) as THC, despite belonging to the same family of compounds. It all comes down to a difference in chemical structure between CBD and THC, which prevents the former from impacting the body in undesirable ways.

Because CBD cannot get you high, CBD oils and other CBD products shouldn't either. Although, if the manufacturing process isn't up to standard, there's a chance products could contain excess concentrations of THC. To ensure a safe and enjoyable CBD experience, it's always best to stick to reputable, trustworthy producers like Cibdol!

CBD vs THC

We know that CBD won't get you high because of its chemical structure, but how does CBD's interaction with the body differ from THC?

THC

First, let's take a look at THC. Also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is prohibited throughout much of the world. Unfortunately, when you consume THC, it induces a high—a state of euphoria, increased appetite, impaired reactions, altered perception, and more.

And we say “unfortunately” because, from an everyday wellness perspective, its side effects make life very challenging. The impact of THC stems from its affinity for CB1 receptors in parts of the brain linked to mood, motivation, and appetite.

You see, CB receptors work using a lock and key principle. If a compound's chemical structure (the key) matches a receptor (the lock), the two interact. And in this case, THC is the key that unlocks changes to our psyche. This principle is true of many cannabinoids—but not all.

CBD

Although we stated that cannabinoids follow this "lock and key" principle, CBD is somewhat of an outlier, as it has a low affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors. In fact, CBD's chemical structure prevents it from binding fully with either receptor.

Instead, CBD works behind the scenes to bolster the entire endocannabinoid system, either up or down-regulating various signalling systems. Not only is CBD incapable of making you high, but it may even partially block THC from binding with CB1 receptors^[1]. In the end, no matter how much CBD you consume, it will never induce the same psychotropic side effects as THC.

However, that doesn't mean CBD is devoid of any meaningful effects. The compound may not be psychotropic in the same way as THC, but it is classed as psychoactive.

Is CBD psychoactive?

Before explaining how CBD makes people feel, it's important we make the distinction between psychotropic and psychoactive, as the two terms are frequently confused.

• Psychotropic refers to a substance or drug that alters behaviour, mood, or thoughts.
• Psychoactive describes substances that may change the way our brain works.

Interestingly, dozens of foods we consume daily are psychoactive, including chilli peppers, chocolate, coffee, and sugar. While the foods listed won't dramatically affect our perception of time or slow our reactions, there are still subtle psychological changes.

These changes to how we think and feel make them psychoactive, and the principle is exactly the same with CBD. It won't produce unwanted side effects like THC, but it can help modulate processes such as sleep, mood, or appetite.

How does CBD make you feel?

We've alluded to CBD's impact on sleep, mood, and appetite, but what does that actually mean as you go about your day?

In simple terms, it can mean the following:

• A balanced mood
• Finding it easier to fall asleep
• A healthy appetite
• Supple joints (CBD creams)
• A robust immune system
• And much more!

The exact impact of CBD will vary from person to person, so it's crucial you try the compound for yourself to see how you feel. Even a few drops of CBD is enough to influence the endocannabinoid system, so take the cannabinoid at your own pace.

Bottom line—CBD will not get you high

No matter how much you consume, CBD alone will never make you high—it's chemically impossible! But that doesn't mean the compound doesn't influence how we think and feel. Instead, CBD's psychoactive properties suggest it can help smooth out the highs and lows of modern living, helping the body retain that all-important state of balance.

As long as you source CBD products from a reputable producer (preferably with third-party testing), you won't have to worry about THC ruining your cannabinoid-infused wellness experience. Take your time with CBD, get accustomed to its effects, and let the all-natural cannabinoid boost your well-being when you need it most!

Are you interested in finding out more about the interaction between CB receptors and different cannabinoids? Then why not head over to our CBD Encyclopedia to learn more. Or, if you want to jump straight into a range of high-quality CBD products, browse the Cibdol store.