This article is originally published on Sunday Scaries.
If you spend your workdays struggling with concentration problems, restlessness, and dark thoughts, you’re not alone. Over 40 million Americans are living with anxiety in the United States right now!
When you get overwhelmed or start dreading the day ahead, cannabidiol (CBD) could help you achieve cool, calm relief. CBD products are easy to use, with gummies and tinctures providing discreet throughout-the-day dosing options.
But maybe there’s one question that keeps holding you back: will you look or act high at work if you use CBD? It comes from a cannabis plant, after all… and you just want relief from what’s going on in your head—you don’t want to get goofy.
If you’re hesitating because you’re worried about getting stoned, we’re here to set you straight. You won’t get high on CBD unless you pair it with the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, delta-9 or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol—otherwise known as THC.
What is CBD?
CBD is cannabidiol, a chemical that is a major component of the cannabis plant. Up to 40% of the plant can be composed of cannabidiol. Like most “cannabinoids,” CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t produce that signature euphoria that comes from marijuana.
So, can you ever get high on something labeled “CBD?”
You can’t get high on CBD isolate, which is CBD by itself with no terpenes or cannabinoids. You can’t get stoned on broad-spectrum CBD either, since this type contains only non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
You could get high on full-spectrum CBD products, which contain the psychoactive cannabinoid THC and the partially-psychoactive cannabinoid CBN (cannabinol). But in that case, it’s the THC and the CBN causing the effect, not the CBD.
Do CBD beverages get you high?
Most CBD beverages use isolate unless you buy them in a recreationally legal state like Colorado. Like other CBD products, you might only get wacky on these beverages if they use full-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum and CBD isolate beverages are perfectly safe to drink when you don’t want a psychoactive effect.
Does CBD beer get you high?
Most CBD beer doesn’t contain any alcohol, and if it doesn’t, you won’t catch a buzz at the bar. Whether you get high from the cannabis component again depends on the type of CBD in your beer—if it contains a full-spectrum product, THC and CBN could get you a little stoned.
Does eating CBD gummies get you high?
Same deal. Broad-spectrum CBD gummies and isolate CBD gummies are safe to use in situations where you can’t get high. If marijuana products make you dizzy or anxious, broad-spectrum gummies are THC-free and can provide relief without those side effects. Again, avoid full-spectrum gummies if you don’t want any THC.
Are there psychoactive properties of CBD?
CBD doesn’t have psychoactive properties at all! Despite this fact, it can provide relief from:
- Negative thoughts
- Excessive worrying
- Self-doubt
- Self-isolation
- Trouble concentrating
- Difficulty staying calm
It simply doesn’t work by providing a psychoactive high. Instead, it helps by activating certain parts of the endocannabinoid system in your brain and nervous system.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
CBD and THC both activate the endocannabinoid system, but in different ways. First, CBD works by:
- Activating serotonin receptors, which may decrease symptoms of anxiety
- Acting as a reuptake inhibitor for anandamide, one chemical that causes a “runner’s high” after you exercise, or positive feelings after you eat chocolate
THC also activates serotonin receptors and keeps extra anandamide in your system, just like CBD. The difference is that THC also activates the dopamine system, which is part of the brain’s reward system. When you use THC and experience a flood of dopamine, it results in that signature stoned feeling that we associate with marijuana.
CBD doesn’t activate the dopamine system, so it doesn’t have those mental effects.
CBD can chill you out, but it won’t make you goofy
CBD can do a lot for your state of mind, but it won’t make you feel euphoric unless you pair it with the psychoactive components of the cannabis plant like THC or CBN. That makes it a valuable everyday tool for staying ahead of the pressures of life.
If you’re overwhelmed at work, CBD can help you feel collected. If you can’t sleep because of irrational fears and negative thoughts, it may quiet your mind and let you unwind. If you feel like you’re on edge, this remarkable compound might just help you get your head on straight.
All of that without causing a psychoactive high? That means you can confidently rely on CBD to combat those crappy work days, sleepless nights, and times when your mind just won’t quit.
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