The age-old question, does CBD oil get you high? A frequently asked question, and rightfully so, after all, CBD oil and THC come from the same plant, so why wouldn’t we think of euphoria when we talk about CBD oil.
Some believe that the cannabidiol plant, no matter which part, has psychotropic effects on the central nervous system. A psychotropic effect alters mental status that affects brain function such as memory loss, alteration in self, time and place, and disruption in perception. Thus known as making a person “high.”
Today I will clear up some misconceptions and compare CBD vs. THC. I do want you to be comfortable with CBD.
CBD and THC Extraction
CBD is different from Marijuana. CBD is one single part of the cannabis plant, while Marijuana is one of 113 elements of the cannabis plant. CBD and THC are compounds that occur naturally in the cannabis plant.
CBD and THC are both derived from the same cannabidiol plant. I will break this down a bit. THC comes from the flower of the cannabidiol plant, while CBD comes from the other parts as it is processed further.
Another way to look at this is THC is removed from the cannabidiol plant in the same manner as CBD. But we get CBD when the process extends to the next to the last level of processing.
CBD has government regulations that it can not contain more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. I will mention this throughout this article because it is an integral part of safe CBD.
What Is THC?
THC is short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, a part of the cannabis plant. In early research, scientists noted that the flowers of the cannabis plant (THC) protected the plant from predators.
THC is a psychoactive drug that will get you high because it binds to certain receptors in the body associated with the central nervous system—the central nervous system, when altered, produces the euphoric feeling of THC.
Our body breaks down all things taken in such as food and drugs. Most drugs break down in either the kidneys or the liver. THC metabolizes in the liver, and 80% excretes in the stool and 20% in the urine. Thus the mechanism of getting rid of THC from the body.
THC is not lethal. There are no known cases of death from ingestion of any amount of THC.
Is THC Government Regulated?
Yes, THC is regulated by the governing body in your area. For instance, in the US, some states have legalized Marijuana. In contrast, others only allow use for medical conditions, but in Canada, Marijuana is legal to buy in stores and smoke on the street.
While the term THC and Marijuana appear to be interchangeable, this is not always true.
THC is the liquid form of Marijuana that is approved by the FDA in some areas of the US to treat, for example, cancer chemotherapy patients for nausea. Marijuana is a mixture of stems, dried leaves, seed, and flowers from the hemp plant known as the Cannabis Sativa.
Some states and countries have legalized Marijuana, while others have made it available as a medically dispensed drug to treat specific medical conditions.
I do not sell CBD or THC nor do I make any medical diagnosis. I am not recommending the treatment of medical conditions. It is important for you to check with your physician to treat medical conditions.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD is NOT a psychoactive drug. The levels of THC in the mixture, along with the binding properties, prevent it from altering the brain’s mental status.
CBD is a chemical substance that is isolated from the cannabidiol (cann
abis, hemp) plant. After extraction from the plant, CBD can be placed in oils, gels, supplements, and gummies for ingestion by humans and domestic animals.
CBD has a low affinity, which means it binds to receptors in our body and produces a cellular response to help certain conditions. CBD mimics some receptors in the body, and when it binds with those receptors, it has the same effect as the receptor did.
Let me explain this further. As an example, I will use pain. We have pain receptors in our body. When we take narcotics for this pain, the receptors uptake the meds and improve our pain. These receptors can learn to rely on drugs to help the problem. The CBD can also bind to the pain receptors and mimic narcotics to relieve the pain. CBD is not addictive; therefore, in some cases, it is a medical alternative to pain relief. However, studies are still inconclusive on how safe CBD is for this use.
CBD does not bind to the central nervous system as THC does, so it will not get you high when used according to the FDA regulations in amounts equal to or less than 0.3% THC content.
Is CBD Regulated?
The regulation of CBD appears to be more of a grey area than THC. The FDA in the US has only approved one form of CBD for prescription drugs used to treat two rare forms of severe epilepsy.
Approving CBD for a drug is a whole different thing than for oils and other forms of use. People in the US can commercially market CBD in the way of oils, gummies, etc. if the content of THC is less than 0.3%. But they can not claim that it will cure ailments because there are not enough studies that prove these statements.
On the other hand, CBD is sold in many forms and believed by individuals who take it that the medicinal properties are phenomenal.
Do you see the grey area here? The definition is poor in what it helps, although many will state they take it for pain, seizures, digestion, and the list go on and on.
Does CBD Get You High?
The bottom answer is no. It can’t get you high as long as the THC level is regulated. CBD binds to receptors in your body and mimics what the receptor needs. THC binds to receptors as part of the central nervous system, which alters the mental state.
Does this mean that CBD is safe for absolutely everyone? NO! It is not safe for all people. Some people absorb it and excrete it from their bodies differently. CBD can build up in the system of specific people.
Now You Are Wondering, “How Do I Know If I Can Take CBD?”
One way would be the trial and error method. Take it and see if it works. Does that sound safe to you? It sure doesn’t sound safe to me!
It takes 72 hours to a few weeks for some people to get the CBD out of their system. So if you take it and it tends to build up, then it’s too late. You already have symptoms that you have to clear.
Symptoms of CBD build-up are:
- depression and anxiety
- nausea
- Dry mouth.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- increase or decrease in appetite
- drowsy
- Psychosis (typically only in people with a history of mental health problems)
There is a way to get around the trial and error method. We now have a DNA test for CBD. One that tells you how you metabolize CBD that is unique to only your body. It is a simple cheek swab test that you send to the lab. The lab takes a look at the markers associated with CBD, sleep, anxiety, and a few other things and gives you a report with suggestions.
It’s just a thought and, in my opinion, a perfect one. I mean, who wants to have any of these symptoms when they are already trying to alleviate other problems?
There you have it! The answer to our question of the day is, NO CBD does not get you high if the THC content is equal to or less than 0.3%.
Have I helped to alleviate some fears? Are you feeling more comfortable now?
If you have any questions, I am happy to help. Please leave comments in the comment section below, and I will be back with you shortly.