You may be curious about trying CBD but are a little unsure about how it might make you feel. If you have had a less-than-wonderful experience with marijuana in the past, you may be turned off from jumping on the new CBD trend. So, let's bust this widely asked question: will CBD get you high?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is becoming increasingly popular for many reasons, including its potential medical and health benefits. It is attractive for regular use as it doesn’t produce the same psychoactive effects that THC does. Many people are attracted to CBD as they notice all the wellness benefits without feeling stoned all day. 

Here’s your short answer: CBD will not get you high. Even so, it is vital to understand how CBD works and how it will make you feel. Let’s start with a quick refresher of what CBD is. 

What Is CBD?

CBD is one of more than 100 natural compounds (cannabinoids) found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, which is either the marijuana or hemp plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another prevalent cannabinoid found in the plant. Although they come from the same place, CBD and THC are not the same. Understanding their difference makes it easy to determine why CBD won’t get you high like THC does. 

The Difference Between THC & CBD

To see the main difference between THC and CBD, we will dip into the science of how these cannabinoids interact with your body. First off, THC mainly activates CB1 receptors in the brain that are associated with memory and coordinated movement. The CB1 receptor activation can also release the well-known neurotransmitter we all know and love: dopamine. This is the culprit for the feeling of being stoned or high. Common effects of THC can include altered thinking, impaired memory, “munchies,” or euphoria. 

The other popular cannabinoid, CBD, triggers the feel-good effects without the psychoactive. CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors and can even block THC from the CB1 receptor, the main reason why CBD oil won’t get you high. CBD affects the central nervous system as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system responsible for controlling pain, inflammatory responses, and sleep.   

CBD has shown to produce more anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects rather than psychoactive effects. This has made CBD increasingly popular for everyday use because you don’t have to worry about feeling ‘high’ or having impaired cognitive function when heading to the office or to the grocery store. 

How Does CBD Make You Feel?

Although CBD won’t get you high, not all CBD products will make you feel the same way. What CBD feels like can depend on the type, potency, and quality of CBD. 

Full-Spectrum

A full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the natural cannabinoids found in hemp with a small trace of THC. With a full-spectrum CBD oil, you will be able to experience something we like to call the entourage effect. The entourage effect refers to the synergy between all cannabinoids within a full-spectrum hemp extract. The entourage effect is a perfect example of how teamwork makes the dreamwork! When all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together, your CBD experience will feel close to euphoric.  

Potency

The way CBD makes you feel will also be determined by its potency. If you are a newbie to the CBD world we suggest starting out slow. Toast offers three different potency levels so you can work your way up the ladder. Start with our Everyday Toast Original to introduce CBD into your life. Once you get comfortable you can work your way up to a higher strength CBD oil - just make sure you grow gradually! 

Quality

There are a few boxes CBD should check in order to be considered high-quality. Make sure to do proper research before you invest in a CBD product that could have misleading promises. From the plant to the packaging, here are the must-haves for a high-quality CBD product.

Where is the hemp grown? 

Make sure you know exactly where the hemp is sourced from! The environment that hemp is grown in has a big impact on the quality of the flower. Hemp plants can absorb anything that is present in the soil surrounding the plant. If your CBD is from US farmers, you can expect quality soil as US farmers must be certified by the State Departments of Agriculture before their product is sold or grown. At Toast, we source hemp from only the best farms in the US that meet standards above and beyond current regulatory requirements.

Check for Third-Party Testing

Make sure the CBD brand is open to sharing third-party testing results. These results ensure that the CBD oil is everything it claims to be on the bottle. The third-party testing should show a CBD product with low THC levels, high CBD levels, and zero impurities! 

What is a COA?

A COA, or certificate of analysis, is a document issued by an accredited laboratory that shows the full composition of the product. In a CBD product, this will show an entire list of all cannabinoids, terpenes, and even possible contaminants within the product. With the overwhelming amount of CBD to choose from on the market make sure you know what you’re getting into! A COA is a must for a trustworthy CBD company. At Toast, we have an entire page dedicated to the COA’s of each product. 

Ready to Try CBD?

Now that you know CBD does not get you high and how it interacts with your body, you can choose to incorporate it into your day-to-day life. With daily intake, people notice that CBD’s small benefits have a huge impact on their overall wellbeing.