CBD products have become incredibly popular in Canada. Thanks to their therapeutic benefits, you can now find CBD edibles and CBD candy alongside other traditional products like vape cartridges. But does CBD oil get you high? And if not, what exactly does it do?
The quick answer to that is no, CBD oil does not get you “high” any more than aspirin does. But CBD oil does alleviate pain and swelling along with being an excellent aid for preventing seizures in people with epilepsy.
You may feel more relaxed and slightly drowsy after taking CBD oil, but the effects are nothing like the high from THC.
As a matter of fact, CBD oil can directly make you feel less high by working against the neuroreceptors that normally react to THC.
To learn more about the health benefits of CBD oil, keep reading below.
How CBD Edibles and CBD Oil Affect the Brain
Like THC, CBD is a cannabinoid compound that occurs naturally in cannabis plants. For a long time, no one understood how these compounds had such a dramatic effect on our minds.
But in 1990, a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and her team were able to isolate the receptors that responded when THC and CBD were ingested. This breakthrough led to a deeper understanding of how CBD and THC affect the brain.
The research indicated that CBD has a strong effect throughout the body. We have cannabinoid receptors on cells in our bodies, including CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are mostly found in our brain and spine.
As we explained in our post detailing the difference between THC and CBD, THC fits perfectly inside our CB1 receptors. This triggers a flood of chemicals that affect our sensory perception, thought processes, memory, the sensation of pain, and other sensations.
Basically, the classic side effects of smoking marijuana all stem from chemical interactions triggered by THC’s agonist relationship with CB1 receptors.
But what about CBD? Does CBD oil get you high the same way that THC does? It turns out CBD has the opposite reaction to endocannabinoid receptors. It blocks the chemical that would normally be triggered by THC. In other words, CBD directly counteracts the effects from THC!
This counteracting effect is only noticed when the cannabis contains a small amount of THC. In strains that contain high levels of THC, CBD has a minimal counteracting effect.
CBD oil provides many other benefits. For example, it has the ability to reduce anxiety. It also improves sleep quality. Like many strains of marijuana, CBD promotes a sense of calm and can reduce your stress levels.
CBD offers many benefits whether taken alone in the form of CBD candy or combined with other compounds like THC.
So, Does CBD Oil Get You High?
But what about CBD? Does CBD oil get you high the same way that THC does? It turns out CBD has the opposite reaction to endocannabinoid receptors. It blocks the chemical that would normally be triggered by THC. In other words, CBD directly counteracts the effects from THC!
So, say you smoked a strain of marijuana containing a high level of THC, the unwanted “high” effect could be counteracted by taking CBD oil.
What about taking a large dose of CBD oil by itself? Does CBD oil get you high then?
Again, no. None of the chemical effects of CBD lead to mind-altering experiences as it’s a non-psychoactive substance.
In fact, the best way to describe the effects of CBD candy and other CBD products is the absence of certain feelings. “The question of how CBD ‘feels’ is really more about what you don’t feel when you take it,” writes Mic’s Miles Klee.
A better way to put it is that THC can distract your mind away from certain things like pain, but CBD makes you not feel the pain at all. That’s partly what makes CBD oil so good for chronic pain relief.
The Effect of Taking CBD Edibles and CBD Oil on the Body
Now that we’ve answered the question does CBD oil get you high, let’s find out why so many people are taking it and what the health benefits are.
Part of the reason people love CBD edibles and CBD oil is because they get the health benefits described above. Namely: less anxiety, less stress, improved sleep and relief from pain.
But unlike THC, CBD effects many cannabinoid receptors all throughout the body, including CB2 receptors and many others.
Many of these receptors have a direct connection to our response to injury. For one, CBD oil prevents absorption of anandamide by cells. The more anandamide we have in our bloodstream, the less pain we feel.
For this reason, CBD oil has a calming effect, provides pain-relief and an overall sense of well-being.
Eating things like CBD candy or taking CBD oil can also prevent reactions that lead to oxidation and inflammation, according to the World Health Organization.
There are also anecdotal reports and strong clinical evidence that CBD oil reduces seizures in epileptics — and some cases, stops them completely!
On top of all these benefits, CBD has been shown to:
- Reduce depression
- Reduce nausea
- Treat schizophrenia and PTSD
- Treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- Aid in treating diabetes
- Curb smoking cravings
- Reduce or prevent migraines
That’s quite a resume!
Side Effects of Taking CBD Oil
CBD oil has surprisingly minimal side effects considering its overall effect on the body.
According to WebMD, some of the only known side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
It’s important to note that the current clinical data for CBD is limited and not all side effects may be known yet. The substance is undergoing further clinical trials and testing, so there could be additional side effect.
That said, millions of people around the world now have access to CBD oil, CBD edibles, CBD candy and other products.
Now that you know more about the benefits of CBD, you can answer the question yourself the next time someone asks you the question, does CBD oil get you high.
With no mind-altering effect, more people are turning to CBD oil to treat all different types of health concerns. CBD oil is a great option for improving your overall health and well-being.
You can use this knowledge to find CBD products in Canada that are best suited for your health needs.
