“Does CBD get you high?” is a common question that people within the industry are commonly asked. Firstly, so that we can understand the effects that it can offer, we must establish what CBD is. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 113 cannabinoids within the Cannabis plant – the amount of cannabinoids increase with the more research we do.
To answer the question briefly, it doesn’t get you high. During the refinement process, the psychoactive property of THC is removed. Therefore, if there’s no psychoactive property within the product, it can’t get you high. There’s more to it than that, which is what we’ll dive down into in this post.
We’ll cover:
- What is CBD? And Where Does it Come From?
- Does CBD Get You High?
- What Is CBD Used For?
- Key CBD Takeaways
What is CBD? And Where Does it Come From?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the 113 cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant. The plant can be typically split into two well-known categories, Hemp and Marijuana. To produce one of the three main forms of CBD, the plant has to go through a meticulous harvest, extraction and production process. The three main forms of CBD are:
- Isolate. A white powder form. Isolate is a crystallised cannabinoid and contains no other cannabinoids.
- Broad-spectrum. A refined oil that has had all tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) removed from it – however, there are still a plethora of other cannabinoids present.
- Full-spectrum. This is again an oil form but differs with the presence of THC. This oil has to conform with UK and EU laws and regulations that state there can’t be more than 0.2 per cent of THC present.
The full “seed to shelf” journey of CBD can be categorised into the following categories:
Harvesting and Extraction
Similar to a lot of other plants, the Cannabis plant starts with a seed or cutting. From there, it needs to be farmed in the right conditions to grow healthily. Once the plants are fully mature, they are harvested and classed as biomass (plant matter). This biomass will then undergo an extraction and distillation process to produce one of the three aforementioned types of CBD.
At Heed Life, we only use USA-grown and sourced Hemp and, thus, use all parts of the plants including the flower. All hemp extractions (including CO2 extracted products) require a process called chromatography, which uses solvents such as ethanol to remediate the THC.
Also, ethanol extraction is well-known to be the best form of extraction for stripping the plant of the maximum amount of beneficial compounds. Providing the solvent remediation stage is completed correctly, the final product will be well below the limits of detection as per European Pharmacopoeia standards. With all our extracts, we receive a lab report showing us the amounts of residual solvents and validate this appropriately before we manufacture our oils.
Product Development
The raw form that’s produced in the harvesting and extraction stage is then sold to manufacturers who’ll use this to base their products around. The most common CBD products on the market are oils, topicals, edibles, drinks and vaping products.
Within the UK, products must comply with UK and EU laws and regulations to be able to sell them. The raw materials must adhere to safety and toxicity studies that make up crucial parts of the Novel Food authorisation process that was implemented by the Foods Standards Agency.
The trackable step-by-step process is as follows:
Does CBD Get You High?
CBD fundamentally does NOT get you high – it has no psychoactive properties. It’s actually the beneficial cannabinoid that counteracts the psychoactive cannabinoids. Some of the known side effects of THC are anxiety, fear and sometimes paranoia. CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that helps with these side effects. So when CBD is on its own, you get all the positive benefits and none of the negative side effects.
The illegal cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabinol (CBN). These cannabinoids are what cause the “high” or psychoactive effect when Cannabis is smoked or consumed. Both THC and CBN are illegal and controlled substances within the UK and the majority of the EU. The removal of that in the extraction process via chromatography removes these cannabinoids.
What Is CBD Used For?
There are many different types of CBD products – oils, topicals, edibles, vaping products and drinks. Oils are the most commonly used products. CBD oils are typically consumed by applying droplets underneath the tongue. From here, it’s absorbed into the body via the sublingual gland, that way, it can reach your bloodstream quickly.
Typically, it should reach your bloodstream within minutes and the effects can last up to 6-7 hours. But what can it be used for? Well, there are many reasons why people choose to use CBD products. Purpose-built products are designed to try and help with relaxation, provide a natural energy boost and aid in repairing the body.
By adding premium terpenes to CBD, the combination allows our products to achieve maximum benefits. The achieved outcome depends upon the ingredients that are used – specific terpene blends are the reason why you’ll see the difference in effects from various products.
CBD products should always have a purpose – we find that generic products will have their limitations and don’t provide fair value for money. Nor do they provide the level of benefits that can be achieved.
CBD has many proven health benefits. There’s a plethora of anecdotal evidence from many users around the world supporting the beneficial and positive effects of CBD on the mind, body and soul. It’s thought to help with the following benefits:
- Relieve and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Reduce inflammation and aid sports recovery.
- Soothe and relieve common skin complaints, such as acne. Plus, aids skin repair and recovery.
- Ease the symptoms of IBS and other chronic health issues.
One common misconception about CBD is that one dose will be enough. When using CBD products, consistency is key. To achieve maximum benefits, you need to use the products consistently and find your sweet spot, the dosage you require is unique to you and will depend on your height, weight, body mass and diet.
Once you find your sweet spot, continued use will mean your endocannabinoid system is topped up and that you should enjoy continued benefits to your well-being.
What can you expect to feel when using CBD?
When using CBD, you can expect to feel relaxed and calm. It can help take the edge off of stress and anxiety and can promote a sense of well-being.
CBD can also help with pain relief, both chronic and acute, and can improve sleep quality. Additionally, it may provide some cognitive benefits, such as improved focus and concentration.
Can you take too much CBD oil?
The potential dangers of taking too much CBD oil are still relatively unknown, as research on the topic is limited.
However, it is thought that taking too much CBD oil can lead to problems such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In some cases, it may also cause tiredness and lethargy.
As with any other supplement or medication, it is important to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed. If you experience any negative side effects after taking CBD oil, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
Does CBD Get You High?
CBD oil is a cannabinoid derived from cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a psychoactive high.
This makes CBD a popular choice for people who are looking for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the head high. CBD oil has been shown to help with anxiety, pain relief, and reduce inflammation.
Key CBD Takeaways
To conclude, the two main takeaways from this post are:
Firstly, CBD can not get you high. THC, which causes the psychoactive effect, has been removed during the extraction process, therefore, it’s impossible to feel a high from CBD products. Products have to comply with laws and regulations to ensure that they’re legal to be able to sell them.
Secondly, when CBD is combined with specific terpenes, it provides a synergistic blend that has a focused and purposeful effect. Whereas, we’ve found that generic products have their limitations and aren’t as effective.
Purpose-built products must be used consistently with the right dosage that’s unique to your endocannabinoid system.
Continue Your Research and Find Out Everything You Need to Know About CBD and CBD Products
So, now that you know that CBD products can’t get you high and are safe and legal to use, you’re well on your way to educating yourself about the products. One of the main reasons that people are sceptical about using the products is a lack of education and the myths around CBD. So, it’s important that you educate yourself properly before making any decisions.
At Heed Life, we’re a totally ethical business and we believe it is vital for our customers to learn and understand CBD and all its intricacies. There are a lot of businesses out there that are seeing this opportunity as a cash cow and a chance to line their pockets and, as a result, are tainting the industry.
To get the most out of your CBD journey, you need to be using the right products. Are you confident that you could select the products that are just right for you? Don’t worry if not. Take our CBD test to find the ideal product to meet your individual needs and requirements.