Does CBD Get You High?

CBD is the commonly-used term for the chemical cannabidiol. It is one of dozens of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are found in both the cannabis plant and in the human body (when found in the body, they are also called endocannabinoids). Cannabinoids that we produce naturally react with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate many different functions throughout the body. These functions include sleep, appetite, mood, pleasure and pain, and many more.

But the cannabinoids that we produce are not the only ones that affect the endocannabinoid system. The cannabinoids found in marijuana also affect the human body in ways similar to how endocannabinoids function naturally. That is why marijuana has such an effect on so many different parts of the body. The feeling of being high after using marijuana comes mostly from the most well known cannabinoid: THC.

CBD is also a cannabinoid, but it does not make you high. This is because it is nonpsychoactive. Even though CBD does not cause a high, it still has many other effects. Many people report feeling more relaxed after smoking a strain that’s high in CBD or using CBD oil. Some people even consider this sense of relaxation to be a kind of high. There is also early evidence that CBD might help protect against some of the negative effects from THC, such as anxiety or paranoia.

However, CBD is most valuable to people who are not looking for a high at all. CBD is thought to be responsible for many of marijuana’s medical effects. Unfortunately, this ingredient has gone underappreciated for far too long. Since the eighties, most marijuana growers have been focusing on breeding strains with high THC levels. As a result of this breeding, CBD was left by the wayside. Growers have only recently started to focus on high CBD, low THC strains. These types of strains are ideal for people who want to benefit from medical marijuana without getting high or interrupting their daily activities too much.

Although CBD does not cause a high, it has certainly suffered because of negative views toward drug use. Seeing as marijuana is illegal in many countries, medical research into CBD has not been as comprehensive as we would have liked. That being said, the research that does exist is promising. CBD may be able to help regulate pain, sleep, mood, and stress levels. It may also play a role in treating the following conditions, or their symptoms:

• Cancer
• Epileptic disorders
• Diabetes
• Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Anxiety
• Parkinson’s disease
• Lupus

CBD shows considerable promise, but keep in mind that high quality medical trials using human subjects are still few and far between. Consult with your medical professional before starting treatment. And, don’t forget that a strain that’s high in CBD might still contain enough THC to get you high. Check with your grower before deciding.