Can CBD Get You High? What You Need To Know
Can CBD get you high? Find out what you need to know about the effects of CBD and whether it produces a high in this guide from Mood Cannabis.
Written by Joshua Sosin
Table of Contents
What Is CBD?
CBD's Effects
Types of CBD
Can CBD Make You High?
How Does CBD Affect Weed?
Is CBD Legal?
Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
FAQs About CBD
Can CBD Get You High? What You Need To Know
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a unique compound derived from the cannabis plant, and it's a key component in some of the most popular hemp products in the world.
CBD is part of a group of compounds called cannabinoids, which are naturally derived from the hemp plant and can have a wide range of fascinating effects. However, unlike THC (the main psychoactive component in weed), CBD can't get you high on its own.
That's not the end of the story, though. While CBD isn't psychoactive in and of itself, some CBD products may produce psychoactive effects because they include other cannabinoids.
Here's what you need to know about whether hemp-derived CBD can get you high and how to enjoy this well-known cannabinoid in a way that works for you.
What Is CBD?
CBD is one of more than 100 currently known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It's classified as a minor cannabinoid because it's only found in small amounts.
CBD derived from hemp is non-intoxicating (it doesn't get you high), but it does interact with your body's endocannabinoid system in unique ways.
CBD's Effects
CBD doesn't bind directly to the receptors in your body's endocannabinoid system. The CB1 and CB2 receptors interact with other cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC to produce psychoactive effects, but CBD doesn't have the same binding affinity that these cannabinoids do.
Instead of binding to cannabinoid receptors, CBD can change the way that your body produces endocannabinoids and influence the way your cannabinoid receptors behave. As a result, CBD may be useful to you as a source of calm and relaxation.
Types of CBD
There are multiple types of CBD out there, and they're broken up into three main categories:
Full-Spectrum CBD
This form of CBD contains trace amounts of other cannabinoids like THC because of the way it's extracted from the hemp plant. However, as we'll explain below, even full-spectrum CBD won't get you high.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD, like broad-spectrum, can contain multiple different cannabinoids. However, this form of cannabidiol doesn't include THC and CBD together.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is essentially "pure CBD." If you want to completely avoid THC, isolate is the best option. It contains no other cannabinoids other than CBD. However, because of the specialized extraction process used to make isolate, it's often more expensive than other forms of CBD.
Can CBD Make You High?
CBD doesn't get you high on its own. Here's why this cannabinoid can't produce the psychoactive effects that weed is known for:
As previously mentioned, CBD isn't able to bond to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your body, which initiate the process of getting high.
In addition, while some CBD products derived from the hemp plant contain trace amounts of THC, there isn't enough of the psychoactive cannabinoid present to get you high.
Keep in mind, though, that CBD is sometimes an ingredient in psychoactive cannabis products. For example, an edible made with both THC and CBD will get you high.
So, there really are no cases where CBD can produce a high unless it's accompanied by other cannabinoids.
How Does CBD Affect Weed?
Certain strains of weed are high in CBD, and in these cases, the natural compound can influence the way that cannabis makes you feel.
Smoking high-CBD strains may be a more calming, grounding, and relaxing experience. Cannabis Indica strains tend to be higher in CBD than Cannabis Sativa, and the same goes for Indica hybrids.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD on its own is fully legal because it's not considered a controlled substance.
In addition, other cannabis-derived compounds like THC are legal in many cases thanks to the Farm Bill. This bill changed the way that hemp products are classified and regulated, defining hemp as any cannabis product containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
If you're interested in CBD products that also contain psychoactive cannabinoids like THC, always opt for Farm Bill-compliant options. All of the edibles, flower, and other hemp goods in the Mood Shop meet the Farm Bill's standards and are rigorously tested for quality, safety, and consistency.
Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
There's no guarantee that a product containing CBD won't show up on a drug test. This is because many CBD companies use broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD in their products, which also contain trace amounts of other cannabinoids. The CBD itself won't cause a positive drug test result, but the small amounts of other compounds might.
If you have a drug test coming up, it's best avoid any hemp-derived cannabis products for at least 90 days. This is especially true when it comes to THC products, but it also applies to full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD. CBD isolate isn't likely to make you fail a drug test, but it may be worthwhile to skip all CBD products to play it safe.
FAQs About CBD
Q: What's the best way to consume CBD?
A: We trying multiple products that include CBD as their active ingredient to see which works best for you. Gummies and tinctures are two of the most popular options, and both are available in the Mood Shop.
If you want less CBD in each serving, a tincture might be the best choice for you. These dropper bottles are easy to use to portion out smaller, more precise servings so that you can get exactly how much CBD you want.
Q: How can I buy CBD online?
A: You can find plenty of CBD products in the Mood Shop and get them shipped directly to your door.
Q: How does CBD make you feel?
A: CBD may make you feel calmer, more relaxed, and more grounded, but it won't get you high. When you consume CBD alongside other cannabinoids, it can lend its calming effects to the mix, creating a more balanced high.