What does CBD feel like? Is it safe to take at work or around others? Yes! Read this article to see what taking CBD is like.
Did you know CBD is legal as long as it complies with the strict standards of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018? However, there’s more to its legality, which we’ll also discuss below.
What’s more important is what happens when you consume it. After all, it’s related to the marijuana plant, isn’t it? So, what does CBD feel like?
How is it any different from marijuana extracts that are still illegal in some parts of the country? We’ll not only answer that for you but explain why it feels that way, too. Keep on reading to find out the effects of CBD.
Can CBD Oil Make You High?
CBD stands for cannabidiol; it’s a natural compound derived from cannabis. It’s a cannabinoid, much like THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
THC and CBD are the two most active components of cannabis plants. Still, they have different effects. Culturists breed hemp for its high amount of CBD, while they breed marijuana to have a high amount of THC.
Both components, though, have healing effects. The main difference between the two is the “high,” for which marijuana is popular.
This high alters the state of mind, affecting our cognitive abilities. It gives us a heightened sense of pleasure and/or sensory perception. It has some risky consequences, though, like heightened paranoia.
In this state, you’re not equipped to do some tasks that need 100% attention, like driving and swimming. It’s not always that it gives you pleasurable feelings, either. This can be why many people might be uncertain about using CBD oil.
However, it’s the THC that’s responsible for these psychoactive properties. CBD doesn’t have such effects, so consuming it won’t get you “high.” This makes it a safer option for when you want to experience the healing qualities of marijuana.
That doesn’t mean that CBD is lesser than THC. To better understand this effect, let’s study the endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system composed of cannabinoid receptors. It encompasses the whole body; the nervous system, bones, skin, heart, muscles, gastrointestinal tract, other internal organs, and such all have ECS receptors.
This way, it has a hand on regulating numerous functions across our bodies. This includes the following:
- appetite
- metabolism
- immune system responses,
- pain reception
- sleep
- motor control
- liver function
- reproductive system function
- and many more.
Even if you don’t use cannabis, the endocannabinoid system is part of nature. It evolved into animal systems since around 500 million years ago.
The ECS is present in all vertebrates. This means that humans, along with other mammals, reptiles, and such, produce endocannabinoids.
Its main function is still up for debate. But, studies show that it maintains biological harmony. It activates in response to environmental factors.
When you get an injury, for instance, this throws off your body’s homeostasis. This then activates the ECS to bring the body back to balance.
It produces compounds like the cannabinoids we get from the cannabis plants. The ECS produces these on an as-needed basis, so there won’t be too many of these at any given time. Still, it’s ready to synthesized CBD and THC when they enter the body.
How ECS Works
When CBD and THC bind with the receptors, they create effects similar to what the natural chemicals our bodies produce. The effects vary, though, depending on which type of ECS receptors the compounds bind to.
If it binds with CB1, for example, it can relieve pain. This is because CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system for the most part.
CB2 receptors are in the peripheral nervous system. When the cannabinoid compounds bind with these, they can produce anti-inflammatory effects.
THC binds with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors, when activated, produce euphoria-causing chemicals. This creates the “high” feeling associated with marijuana.
It’s also powerful in a way that it can create all sorts of effects on your body. It can stimulate your appetite, for instance, while causing paranoia because of this.
CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t work like this. It has a low affinity with either of the primary receptors, but it does work with the other receptors.
It binds well with TRPV receptors, like TRPV1. These are responsible for pain and inflammation, hence CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.
This then leads to the activation of the GPR55 receptor, which also leads to pain relief.
On top of that, CBD is a CB1 antagonist, as well. This means it blocks off any intoxicating impact from the CB1 receptors. If you have both compounds in the body, CBD may block the “high” effect of THC.
These are why CBD doesn’t have that mind-altering effect you typically get from marijuana. Meanwhile, it still has the beneficial effects of cannabis.
Does CBD Oil Work as Intended?
CBD oil, like the name suggests, contains CBD for the most part. While marijuana strains may have a significant amount of CBD along with THC, CBD oil cannot contain more than 0.3% of THC as mandated by the federal government.
This means that any legal CBD oil in the market, like Eventide CBD, has no chance of getting you high. It only brings about feelings of relaxation and calmness without the intoxication.
That said, some marijuana strains with more CBD than THC may also inhibit THC-induced psychosis. They can produce a synergy effect. One modulates the psychoactive effects of the other.
However, marijuana doesn’t have the same legality as CBD oil. You also can’t be too sure of a particular strain’s effect, so CBD oil is still much safer for you.
What Does CBD Feel Like?
We’ve established that it doesn’t give you that intoxicating feeling. Then, what does CBD feel like? How does CBD oil make you feel?
CBD makes your body feel relaxed and calm. It soothes your mind; many users report a feeling of calmness washing over them. This usually signals that the CBD is taking effect.
Many users also say that rather than creating a new feeling, it makes negative feelings disappear. If you’re feeling anxious or tense, for example, a feeling of serenity may replace it instead. You may notice that your heart is calmer and your mind is clearer.
This may make it easier for you to rest and sleep. This is why many people use it after a long, hard day to prepare their bodies for sleep. It may also improve your sleep quality and remove your tossing and turning habits.
One thing to note, though, is that it doesn’t cause drowsiness. It only augments the natural process of falling asleep.
This also applies to pain. CBD oil offers pain relief in the same way it makes negative feelings disappear.
However, the exact effects of CBD vary per individual. Its effects depend on the person’s weight, metabolism, genetics, and medical conditions.
It also depends on the specific product as CBD oils have different formulations. These influence the therapeutic impact of CBD oil and even THC products.
Is It Safe to Take to Work or School?
Seeing as how it doesn’t have any psychoactive properties, we’re confident to say that CBD oil is safe to take with you as long as it’s legal in your state. This is the same for other CBD products, like extracts, balms, and so on.
It’s legal for the most part as Congress lifted the ban on hemp plants back in December 2018. This makes hemp-derived CBD legal at a federal level unless your state has a law prohibiting it.
And since marijuana is becoming legal in more states, marijuana-derived CBD oil may be legal in your area, as well. This may have a significant amount of THC, however, so use with caution.
In general, though, you must at least know its effect on you before you consume it anywhere outside your home. It’s not because it has the potential to get you high, it’s because of side effects.
Potential Side Effects of CBD
Like any other medical drug, CBD oil may react differently to your system. As such, it may induce some undesirable side effects.
Some known side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Mild nausea
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- Reduced appetite
If you experience any of the above, tweak your dosage or consider trying a different product. The side effect might be due to the formula of the CBD oil.
For some people, the beneficial effects of CBD far outweigh any side effects. If it’s the other way around for you, then stop taking it or talk to a doctor first.
Apart from the side effects, it may also interact with other medications you’re taking. The best-case scenario is that they work alongside each other well, but in some cases, CBD oil may lessen the effect of the other. Consult your doctor first if you plan to take CBD oil alongside your prescription.
Try CBD Oil in a Safe and Legal Way
If you ever asked “what does CBD feel like” then we hope this guide provided the answers you seek. After ensuring that it’s legal in your state and it’s safe for you, try it in small doses first. If you don’t experience the effects you’re looking for, increase the dosage in small increments.
Watch out for side effects, too. While CBD is an all-around beneficial compound, we still don’t know how it will react to an individual.
But why stop here? There are so many topics to discover when it comes to CBD and how to use. You can explore more informative content right here!