Let’s get one thing out of the way. You’ll never sit around a hazy, tie-dye splattered room, listening to sitar music, and hear the words, “Don’t bogart the CBD, man. Pass it around.”
That’s because CBD oil is made with hemp extracts and does not get you or your buddy “Turtle” high.
But it’s a fair question. If it doesn’t make you high, how does CBD oil make you feel?
We’ll go into detail below, but many people report a sense of relaxation or calm during ordinarily stressful situations. Some report better focus during work or hobbies.
Perhaps most interestingly, some people say they barely perceive the effect until they actively think about it after several weeks of daily use.
But it’s really important to understand that CBD isn’t made of magic and dreams.
You cannot and will not achieve your health goals with CBD oil products alone. Instead, you’ll see the best results from CBD when using it alongside a healthy lifestyle.
What Is CBD?
When people talk about using CBD or CBD oil, they’re generally referring to a product made with hemp plant extracts. Hemp is a variety of cannabis plants that contain only tiny amounts of THC, which is the substance in marijuana that causes intoxication.
That’s why you don’t get high from CBD oil.
CBD products, like oils, capsules, gummies, and topicals, generally use one of three different extract types – full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate.
Full spectrum hemp extracts contain high CBD content, shallow THC levels, and a wide range of other cannabinoids, essential oils, and plant terpenes. Broad spectrum extracts are similar but do not contain THC. CBD isolate products contain only CBD and no other cannabis ingredients.
If you’d like to learn more, read our article, “What is CBD?” You can also learn about the differences between CBD, THC, hemp, and marijuana in our blog, “CBD vs THC: The Complete Guide to Cannabis.”
How Does CBD Work?
Researchers have identified a system of highly specialized cell receptors in the body that respond to the presence of cannabinoids. It’s called the endocannabinoid system, and the receptors can be throughout the body.
However, each cannabinoid produces a different effect based on its molecular structure and cell receptor type.
Some experts describe an entourage effect – a kind of cooperation or synergy that occurs when a wide range of cannabinoids are introduced to the body.
Does CBD Get You High?
We’ve already touched on this, but we’re going to hit it one more time for those in the back.
No amount of CBD will make you feel high. That’s because THC and CBD have different structures and more efficiently interact with various cell receptors.
Even CBD oil with the maximum limit on THC cannot cause impairment. However, even tiny amounts of THC can trigger a positive drug test.
So How Does CBD Oil Make You Feel Exactly?
CBD users report a wide range of results. That’s because there are a lot of variables at play. An individual’s weight, metabolism, activity level, diet, and unique biochemistry all affect how you’ll feel after taking CBD regularly. The delivery method, formula, and serving size are also factors.
But there are a few common feelings people describe when using CBD.
Enhanced Concentration
People who use CBD alongside their healthy lifestyles sometimes report a slight feeling of stimulation and concentration when using small servings of CBD. Some have described it as ‘coffee without the jitters’ or used similar phrasing.
This is something researchers have started to investigate, but there’s no concrete data yet.
Optimal Relaxation and Sleep Routines
Many people use CBD products as part of their wind-down routines and report positive effects. The products they use for this purpose range from CBD oil tinctures and vapes to CBD sleep aids and bath bombs.
Aches and pains can also hinder one’s ability to relax and sleep. As a result, people commonly use CBD topicals with added pain fighters like menthol or lidocaine at bedtime.
Faster Exercise Recovery
Fatigue and soreness are problems many fitness enthusiasts face. It’s impossible to push your body to the limit when you feel drained by the previous day’s workout. That’s why many people now turn to CBD products for accelerated recovery from training or strenuous work. Topical pain relievers with added CBD alongside are especially popular for this purpose.
Sleep is a major factor in recovery and muscle growth. As a result, some athletes use CBD sleep aid formulas to maximize their training routines.
General Well-Being
This is where CBD really shines.
As we’ve said, CBD is not a magical substance that can solve all of your problems. Instead, you should think of it as a supplement to your healthy lifestyle. That’s possibly the biggest reason you hear so many success stories from high-caliber athletes.
But apart from the question of just what CBD feels like, you also might be wondering just how quickly and for how long it can make you feel that way.
How Long Does CBD Take to Work?
We’ve answered that question in more detail in another post. Still, the answer depends on your personal physiology and the delivery method of the product you’re taking. The quick and dirty guide to delivery methods is as follows.
- Ingestion through CBD edibles or capsules is one of the most popular methods and the slowest because the CBD has to go through your digestive system before reaching your bloodstream. Give it at least an hour.
- Inhalation, usually through vaping, is the fastest method. Response time can be instantaneous or up to 15 minutes.
- Absorption through a mucous membrane is usually achieved by putting CBD oil under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds and then swallowing. This method is faster than ingestion but slower than a vape, usually around 30 minutes.
- Topical application, unless it’s through a transdermal patch, only affects the endocannabinoid receptors in the area where you apply it, so it doesn’t take long at all. If you use a CBD product with topical medicines like menthol or lidocaine, the effects will likely be instantaneous.
How Long Does CBD Last in Your System?
Again, this depends on physiology and delivery method. Generally, if you take CBD orally, you’ll feel it for six or seven hours, but it can linger in your system for days or even weeks. That’s why we recommend taking CBD every day for 30 days to get a real sense of how it’s affecting you because it can build up over time.
On the other hand, vaping generates a quick response and clears out fairly quickly. Most users only feel the impact for a few hours. Topical application (again except for transdermal patches) also tends to be short-lived, which is why we advise applying our topical products up to four times a day if you need it. For more details, see our post “How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?”
What Does CBD Feel Like to You?
How does CBD oil make you feel?
To keep track of your progress, you may want to keep a journal. You don’t have to write volumes on every detail. But keeping track of how you feel each day in a few short sentences accomplishes two things. One, it can help you become more aware of your current feelings. Second, it can help you keep tabs on any changes.
Your experience with CBD is likely unique, and we’d love to hear about it. Tag us on your CBD story on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
originally written by: Randall Goins