Does CBD Oil Get You High? The Truth About CBD Oil
CBD oil has quickly risen in popularity. With legendary athletes like Magic Johnson and Rob Gronkowski endorsing it, CBD based products are only going to increase in popularity. Its presence in everyday life is increasing by the day and you can find more and more people using it every day. CBD Oil has been associated with numerous health benefits like pain relief, reduced anxiety and better sleep. CBD Oil also comes in multiple formats such as oil, lube and gummies. More and more people are joining the CBD oil bandwagon every day. However, a lot of people are skeptical about it and are asking in unison "does CBD oil get you high?". In this post, we will answer that question and tell you everything about CBD and how it differs from the high induced by THC in marijuana.
CBD Oil And Getting High: All You Need To Know
What Is CBD?
While CBD might come from cannabis, which is the same plant species that gives us marijuana, it doesn't have any THC (or negligible amounts of THC). THC is the psychoactive chemical that gives its users the "high". CBD won't have any such effect, but it does have numerous other benefits. Here's the deal: CBD is one of more than 100 natural compounds called cannabinoids that come from the cannabis sativa plant (aka a marijuana or hemp plant).
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a popular cannabinoid known for its psychoactive effects. But don't confuse THC with CBD — these two might come from the same place, but that doesn't mean they do the same things. CBD might help you feel more relaxed and calm and less anxious, and it may even help you fall asleep. It has the soothing qualities of THC without the high or "stoned" effect.
CBD Vs THC
Both CBD and THC have an impact on the cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1) in your brain, but they have very different effects. THC binds with those receptors, activating them and causing a feeling of euphoria or high.
CBD is quite different. It doesn't really bind with the CB1 receptors in your brain. In fact, it can actually block any high from happening at all. If you were to take CBD with THC, you might find that you didn't feel as high as you would if you'd consumed just THC.
Impact Of CBD On Your Body
Research on CBD is relatively new, but some studies suggest CBD is relaxing and calming. It could reduce inflammation and pain (endorsed heavily by many athletes who deal with debilitating pain because of the injuries accumulated during their career). CBD may also help you sleep better, and it's often used to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
CBD is considered safe to use in general. But everyone may react slightly differently to it, so what someone else feels may not match up with your experience.
CBD's side effects may include:
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite and weight
- fatigue
- mild nausea
- dry mouth
- dizziness
CBD can also interact with some medications, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a CBD regimen.
Impact Of THC On Your Body
Smoking or ingesting THC is going to cause that feeling of being high. Most people know what that is, so we won't spend much time discussing it. The possible short-term side effects of THC are:
- increased heart rate
- coordination issues
- dry mouth
- red eyes
- slower reaction times
- memory loss
The high from THC can leave you feeling euphoric, relaxed, focused, amused, giggly, creative, hungry, and more sensitive to smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound.
What Are Some Benefits Of CBD Oil Aside From Relaxation?
Anxiety And Depression Reduction
CBD oil is a promising treatment for people who live with anxiety and depression and don't want to turn to pharmaceutical drugs. Some research suggests that specific doses of CBD are very effective at reducing anxiety before a test.
And it's not just for adults: According to a 2016 study, CBD oil can be safely used to relieve anxiety and insomnia in children experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Some studies have also shown that CBD can have antidepressant-like effects and can impact how your brain responds to serotonin. A 2018 review of studies found that CBD can also have anti-stress effects, so it might reduce depression that's related to stress.
Insomnia Relief
In a 2019 study, 66.7 percent of participants reported better sleep after taking CBD.
Scientists don't totally understand why CBD might help people sleep better, but it could be because CBD can ease anxiety, depression, and stress.
Pain Relief
CBD could be one of the reasons marijuana is known for relieving pain. Research on animals has shown that CBD may reduce chronic pain by reducing inflammation and could also ease pain from surgical incisions and sciatic nerve pain.
Cancer Symptom Relief
CBD may be useful for relieving some cancer-related pain and side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting. Research has found a significant reduction in pain when THC and CBD are combined for this type of use.
Acne Reduction
CBD reduces inflammation, which in turn might help reduce acne. A 2014 study found that CBD oil can prevent sebaceous gland cells from releasing too much sebum (which can cause acne) and can prevent the activation of agents that cause acne.
More research needs to be done, but it's possible that CBD could help with other skin issues too.
Helping With Seizures And Neurological Disorders
More research is needed, but CBD might help ease symptoms related to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
Some studies have found reduced seizure activity in children and young adults after they took CBD oil. Other studies have shown that CBD may improve quality of life and sleep quality for people with Parkinson's disease.
Boosting Heart Health
A 2017 study showed that CBD might even benefit the heart and circulatory system by lowering high blood pressure, thus preventing health problems such as stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome. This could be because CBD can relieve stress and anxiety, which in turn lowers blood pressure..
Helping With Schizophrenia
Some research suggests CBD might benefit people with schizophrenia and similar conditions by reducing symptoms of psychosis.
Aiding In Treatment Of Substance Use Disorder
CBD might even be useful in treatment for substance use disorder. Research suggests it can change circuits in the brain related to drug dependence. A 2015 review of studies found that CBD reduced morphine dependence and heroin-seeking behavior in rats.
Remember, most of the benefits of CBD oil haven't been tested at a very extensive level, so don't start consuming it and expecting results immediately.
What Are The Types Of CBD Products?
Oils And Tinctures
Oils infused with CBD are popular because they're easy to use and they get absorbed into your body very quickly, meaning you'll feel the effects quickly.
CBD oils are typically placed under your tongue using a dropper. They're perfect for people who want to try out CBD but don't want to pop a pill.
Capsules And Pills
There are CBD capsules and pills that may help with a variety of issues, including sleep deprivation, digestive problems, and seizure disorders. Just pop them in like any regular pill. Compared to the oil, the pill takes longer to be absorbed by the body.
Creams And Lotions
Some CBD-infused lotions and creams are meant to relieve muscle and joint pain. Others claim to be beneficial for various skin problems, such as eczema or acne. However, there isn't much scientific evidence to support this, so proceed with caution.
Edibles
While CBD gummies are really popular, you can also find CBD in candy, chocolate and cookie form.
Vaping
The fastest way to experience the effects of CBD is to inhale vaporized CBD oil, which you can do with an e-cigarette. Vaping CBD oil sends it into your bloodstream, so it's absorbed really quickly. However, you must remember that vaping does have safety concerns, so don't start using it without research.
By now you'd have figured out that using CBD oil does not get you high. However, this is a product which is still in its initial stages of research and study. So consult your doctor before starting on CBD oil.