You’re smart. We know this because you’re doing your research about a product that you may not know too much about. Or, perhaps, you already use CBD and are wondering if your experience with it is unique, normal, healthy, or otherwise expected. Since CBD does offer the potential of widespread health benefits, you may wonder, does CBD give you a body high? Is that the correct way to describe what CBD does? Let’s discuss.
Difference between CBD and THC
CBD and THC are not the same things. Though they both come from the Cannabis sativa, or hemp plant, and are both types of cannabinoids, they’re just not the same. The biggest difference between CBD and THC is psychoactivity. THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, is psychoactive. CBD is not.
What may confuse some people — and, trust us, it’s understandable — is that some extraction methods or blends of CBD can expose you to THC. That’s why you’ll always see full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate clearly distinguished if you are in fact buying from a reputable source. Again, THC is psychoactive, which means it elicits a unique chemical response in your brain which in turn, affects your entire body. This response may vary with each use and will depend on other factors such as the product used, strength, what you ate or drank prior, and more.
What CBD can do for your body
Since we already discussed that CBD isn’t psychoactive, doesn’t that mean the answer to our question, “does CBD give you a body high,” is a solid “no”? Not exactly. What CBD can potentially do for your body, not just your mental health, may offer effects significant enough that some users may identify their relief as a “high.” This isn’t exactly correct, either. Here’s what we do know about how CBD can potentially address the following.
Stress relief
A stress-free, relaxed life, doesn’t necessarily mean a “high” life. However, CBD has exhibited an ability to address the following forms of anxiety which can, of course, affect stress levels.
- A 2010 study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology showed a significant decrease in symptoms among people with generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) who used CBD versus a placebo.
- A 2011 study in Neuropsychopharmacology showed promising results for people who used CBD to address social anxiety, particularly related to public speaking.
- A 2015 study in Neurotherapeutics showed positive results for CBD use among people with other forms of anxiety, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Pain relief
Some individuals deal with pain in their daily lives. This pain may be due to overexertion, injury, or chronic pain conditions. Arthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain in the U.S. and abroad. New treatment modalities rarely arise, which led the Arthritis Foundation to recognize CBD as a promising avenue for patients to attempt. You may also be aware that CBD is often combined with other natural pain-relievers, most often in topical products. Some people find these products therapeutic, but don’t necessarily report body highs. CBD is also being studied as a treatment for endometriosis.
Better sleep
As a potential treatment for insomnia, CBD has shown some promise. However, insomnia is often a symptom of another condition that may be serious and thus require other treatments. Occasional sleeplessness, on the other hand — from stress or something else — can happen to the best of us. Promoting or deepening sleep may occur due to ingredients working in concert with CBD, not just the CBD itself. A good night’s rest may feel amazing, but it isn’t necessarily a yes to the question “does CBD give you a body high.” CBD products for sleep often include melatonin, chamomile, or lavender scents. And, further, these ingredients promote a sense of relaxation or calm, not a high.
It may help your “lows”
Hopefully, this discussion has cleared up the question at hand just a bit. CBD can work well for some individuals and not others. Likewise, CBD can address some symptoms and not others. And, further, not every product or formulation is made equal. Finding the right CBD for you can be a long process of trial-and-error. Of course, you should involve your doctor in this process as well. He or she knows your health — likely better than you do — and should remain the authority on any care regimen.
