Does CBD Oil Get You High?

CBD oil that is hemp-derived will not get you high. Federal law prohibits CBD products from containing more than 0.3% THC.

Reports are pointing towards evidence that CBD may actually mediate the psychoactive effects of THC. It is hypothesized that this is due to CBD molecules binding with the 5-HT2A receptors, which are responsible for regulating THC’s psychoactive effects with CB1 receptors.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

The distinction between these two terms routinely confuses CBD users. Hemp and marijuana are simply categorizations that are applied to the cannabis plant based on its concentration of THC. If a cannabis plant has a THC content of 0.3% or less, it is considered hemp. If the plant’s THC content rises above 0.3%, the plant is then categorized as marijuana.

Though individuals who regularly use hemp-derived CBD oil may potentially test positive for THC, they should not expect any intoxication from the product due to the minimal amount of THC permitted.

In December 2019, CBDistillery conducted a customer survey. Of the 2,000 respondents, 99% reported feeling no intoxicating effects from CBD.

“Nearly 60% of CBDistillery customers have been using CBD daily for over one year, so they are well-versed in the key differences between hemp products that CBDistillery sells compared to high THC marijuana they purchase from dispensaries,” CBDistillery told The CBD Insider.

So, What Does CBD Do?

Researchers worldwide are rapidly working to unlock all of the benefits of CBD. To date, studies have shown its potential in a multitude of applications. User reports indicate CBD’s potential to provide relief and promote relaxation. These benefits hardly scratch the surface of CBD’s potential benefits. 

CBD and other cannabinoids are utilized by the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). We can view the ECS as an internal communication network for our body. When something happens either internally or externally that throws the ECS out of balance, we need a tool to get things back in sync. In this case, CBD is the tool.

“Any glitch in communication can have a considerable impact on the way you feel and cause your homeostasis to be unbalanced,” said CBDistillery. “You can help protect that balance, that essential equilibrium, by understanding how hemp-derived CBD can interact with this system to help bring you back to homeostasis.” 

Based on the same survey of 2,000 customers, CBDistillery reported that: “After a week or two of consistent use, CBDistillery customers from around the country reported that using CBD daily has made a significant difference in the way they feel.” 

When asked about the specific results of the survey, CBDistillery stated, “we’ve actually found 84% of CBD users report that CBD helps with pain after physical activity, 88% of CBD users report that CBD helps with mild or temporary anxiety, 89% of CBD users report that CBD helps [them] get better sleep and 9 out of 10 people [report] a calmer mind when taking CBD.”

CBD Side Effects

Although CBD is typically well-tolerated, a study published by the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research reported that the most commonly reported side effects of CBD include tiredness, diarrhea, and changes in appetite or weight. 

This shouldn’t cause too much concern in CBD users as the report also stated, “In comparison with other drugs, used for the treatment of these medical conditions, CBD has a better side effect profile.”] The study concluded that further clinical research is needed in terms of CBD’s potential side effects. 

Another consideration that CBD users should keep in mind is its potential contraindication with other medications. CBD (along with the majority of medications available) utilizes various enzymes in our bodies as a means of reaching systemic circulation. These metabolic enzymes bind with and break down the medicinal compounds that we put into our bodies.

In the case of CBD, we know that Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450) are responsible for the majority of CBD’s metabolization. Issues can arise when someone is using other medications that also rely on these CYP450 enzymes. These types of medications can range from antihistamines to opioids.

While this is certainly something that you should speak with your doctor about, it shouldn’t cause too much alarm. This situation isn’t unique to CBD. Something as simple as grapefruit juice has been shown to present similar interactions.

“We’ve found through our own survey data that 93% of people don’t feel side effects [from CBD],” said CBDistillery. This statistic is put into perspective when you consider that CBDistillery has served an estimated three million customers, according to Brightfield Group.

Is CBD legal?

Yes, in most states, CBD is legal. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is considered legal at the federal level as long as it is hemp-derived and contains no more than 0.3% THC. However, the 2018 Farm Bill also granted states the right to create their own regulations around CBD. 

Although most states have adopted the terms of the 2018 Farm Bill, there are a few that still treat CBD as a prohibited substance. For more information on your state’s CBD regulations, you should check out our CBD legality resource that gives a state-by-state breakdown of regulations. 

Brands like CBDistillery are leading the charge to educate people about CBD. 

“CBDistillery is on a mission to lead the education of CBD for consumers nationwide. An internal survey we conducted in June found nearly 63% either believed CBD was illegal or were unsure of the legality when asked if they thought CBD was legal in all 50 states,”  said CBDistillery. 

CBDistillery is also helping consumers understand the health benefits of hemp to remove the plant’s negative stigma.

“An educational push through marketing avenues, blogs, media, and so forth will all help reiterate in the consumer’s mind that hemp is health-oriented. We strive to not only educate consumers on what CBD is, the legality of CBD, how to choose the safest CBD, but most importantly, what CBD does for their health.”

Conclusion

Not all things that come from the cannabis plant will get you high, and CBD falls into this category.

Understandably, there remains a lot of confusion and misinformation in the world of CBD. This is one of the reasons we created our Trusted Brands tool. From first-time users to CBD veterans, you will find information here that will save you time, headaches, and money.

You should also take a moment to sign up for our newsletter. This is a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date on CBD news and product reviews.