Does CBD Get You High?
September 11, 2020CBD does not get you high. It is non-intoxicating and does not produce a “high” or altered state.
Without exception, source our cannabidiol (CBD) products from industrial hemp, which contains almost no THC. By law, all industrial hemp must test below 0.3% THC in a lab*. At these trace levels, intoxication is not possible.
While CBD has a calming effect, this does not denote an altered state or a “high” of any kind. Because CBD mitigates stress and its symptoms without any mind-altering effects, CBD complements even the busiest daily routine, including daytime and work use.**
*Why Lab Testing? Hemp vs. Marijuana
Because hemp and marijuana plants look and smell alike, chemical analysis for THC content is the most (accurate/scientific) way to ensure (you’re getting) the benefits of hemp without (risk of) intoxication.
** Daytime users: Too much CBD can cause sleepiness, so it’s best to test your dodge at home and start with a small amount until you find a balance that supports productivity. For those using CBD for pain relief or better sleep, dosage will likely increase.
Is There THC in CBD?
CBD isolate contains absolutely no THC. No hemp-derived CBD product is intoxicating, however, there is a trace level of THC in broad and full-spectrum CBD products. Here is a breakdown:
- In a CBD isolate, there is none.
- A broad spectrum product contains less than 0.0 mg THC.
- Full-spectrum contains up to the legal limit of 0.3% THC. This is a non-intoxicating amount.
Will CBD Show Up On a Drug Test?
This depends on which kind of CBD you choose. Different drug testing methods vary in sensitivity to trace THC.
Isolate:
Isolate CBD poses no risk of a positive drug test result, even with long-term use.
Broad + Full Spectrum:
THC, although only found in trace amounts in some CBD products (broad and full spectrum), could build up with long term use, and eventually cause a positive on some drug tests. This is because THC metabolizes slowly.
What is CBD and What Does it Do?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in hemp. Hemp is rich in phytonutrients, But it’s best known for containing over a hundred cannabinoids, CBD being the highest in concentration. Out of the hundred-plus cannabinoids in hemp, CBD is the most researched and most closely associated with health support. It’s also the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp, ranging from 12 to 18% concentration. It’s also found in trace amounts in foods like black pepper and dark chocolate.
Endocannabinoid System Health
Your body absorbs CBD through the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. This system is the key to CBD’s benefits. Here’s why:
Our bodies function at their best when homeostasis, or inner balance, is supported. This never-ending recalibration is the ECS’s job.
Your ECS is responsible for regulating a long list of vital processes like sleep, pain sensitivity, mood, immune function, bone development, and memory. How? By producing cannabinoids to fill receptors all over the body. Receptors exist in the brain, organs, and immune system*. There are also receptors in the central nervous system, which is extremely stress-sensitive. Our cells rely on the ECS to keep firing on all cylinders despite harsh external conditions or stressors. Deficiencies in the ECS can keep the body stuck in fight-or-flight, harming the immune system over time.
*It’s also been suggested that it actually keeps your own endocannabinoid levels from decreasing.
Because CBD interacts with this system, it can support all of the ECS’s important tasks. This is easy because it fits ECS receptors. CBD fills in when natural cannabinoids run low (or when stress depletes them faster than you can make them). In other words, CBD effectively replenishes the system. The reason CBD can help with so many different health goals is that it boosts function in whatever organs need extra ECS support. In other words, results are unique to an individual’s weak points (or points of imbalance).
What are some effects of CBD Oil?
The delivery system of CBD means effects range by individual. Some experience specific improvements in problem areas, like chronic pain, autoimmune disease, inflammation, digestion, or anxiety. Others, usually those already in good health, enjoy a generally heightened sense of wellbeing (like feeling energetic and more rested).
Commonly studied results include improved mood, along with promising research surrounding neuroprotective, anti-depressive, and anti-anxiety outcomes. CBD may also alleviate cancer symptoms and is being studied in possibly reducing tumor cell growth and CBD is not a cancer medication, but it slows the growth of certain tumor cells.
Potential Effects of CBD Oil Include:
- Clinical pain management
- Epilepsy treatment (Epidiolex is a CBD based medicine)
- Sleep and insomnia /circadian rhythm normalization
- Clinical anti-inflammation
- Appetite regulation
- Improved digestion (IBS, Crohn’s disease both studied with CBD treatment)
- Addiction management
- Mood disorder relief
- PTSD relief
- Increased energy levels
- Improved mood
- Faster athletic recovery
- Joint health
- Improved neuroplasticity
- Cardiovascular health
- Glaucoma
THC vs CBD
Cannabinoids are a diverse group of compounds that vary greatly in structure. THC and CBD are the most widely studied cannabinoids.
Although they are absorbed similarly, they have dramatically different effects. They both work with neurotransmitters which affect immunity, sleep, and pain sensitivity. THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not. THC is absorbed by CB1 receptors in the ECS causing euphoria; it also binds to CB2 receptors. CBD only works with CB2 receptors but can block excess THC from binding to CB1 receptors. THC (is known as a recreational substance but) is used medicinally for various diseases and chronic conditions.
THC has side effects with overuse, while CBD has been shown in studies to be well tolerated even in doses far exceeding recommended use. The only known side effects of CBD include weight loss, appetite changes, and diarrhea. Neither compound is deadly. Both can interfere with certain medications. CBD interferes similarly to grapefruit with certain medicines. We recommend consulting with a qualified CBD clinician or doctor before taking CBD with medication or while pregnant.
References:
https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/resources/research-library/
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44742.pdf
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00744/full
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4076530/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17296344/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/