Debunking the Myth: Does CBD Get You High?

Debunking the Myth: Does CBD Get You High?

CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, largely due to its potential therapeutic benefits. People are commonly taking CBD products for pain relief, anxiety reduction, better sleep, and overall wellness. Its rise can be attributed to growing interest in natural and alternative remedies, along with increased research and a shift in public attitudes toward cannabis.

Common misconceptions about CBD include the belief that it gets users "high" like THC, though CBD is non-psychoactive. Some think higher doses are always better, but lower doses can be just as effective. It's also assumed that all CBD products work the same, yet quality and potency vary. While CBD is often seen as a cure-all, research on the effects of CBD is still ongoing, and its benefits may not be universal.

Understanding Cannabidiol CBD

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant after THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike THC, CBD won’t get you high.

CBD has shown promise in humans and animals as a treatment for various ailments, notably anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, and sleep disorders. 

Unlike cannabis and THC, CBD doesn’t impair coordination, judgment, or memory. In a Critical Review Report published in 2018, the World Health Organization concluded that “no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use."

Difference between CBD and THC

As with CBD, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is also prevalent in cannabis plants, specifically in higher concentrations found in marijuana. THC is the leading cause of marijuana’s intoxicated “high”. It is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Honesy products contain 0% THC. 

Other Cannabinoids

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis plants. They range from non-psychoactive to psychoactive and are the basis for various medicines, edible food substitutes, additives, and legal remedies alike.

CBN is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Users report a deeply relaxing quality that helps to fall and stay asleep, which is why it is gaining popularity globally as a natural sleep aid and insomnia treatment.

CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid present in cannabis, and will not get you high. CBG has many potential therapeutic benefits, including antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Types of CBD Products

CBD oil 

Oils are the most common forms of using CBD, CBG, and CBN products. In the form of tinctures, oils vary in flavor, texture, medicinal properties, and strength of the effect. People like oil because the dosage can be easily modified, and it can be used as a topical or sublingual. The dosage varies based on a specific person and the desired results.

Honesy CBD oils provide a balanced lifestyle for busy individuals. Honesy oils are a great choice if you want to personalize your dosage and feel the flavor of each category, trust us the taste is the best in the industry! With Honesy oils, you can expect to have a sharp focus, a relaxed body, and the best sleep. Honesy products will be your new heaven instead of painkillers, expensive massages, and ineffective sleeping medication. 

CBD edibles

There are a lot of CBD Edibles in the European market, they can vary in strengths, ingredients, tastes, and purposes. CBD edibles come in the form of gummies, chocolates, candy, and more.

Honesy CBD Gummies act as a venue for your sweet tooth! Since we all have a specific preference for a particular sweet, add a CBD Gummy to your good night's sleep routine! Unlike other brands, Dreamy Sleep gummies do not contain melatonin, yet they still effectively promote restful sleep.

CBD topicals

CBD topicals include products like skin creams, body and massage oils, lip balms, patches, and so on. CBD cosmetics help regulate oil production on the skin, reduce acne, hydrate, and is a powerful antioxidant. They also minimize overall skin inflammation and provide moisturization. CBD cosmetics deliver localized benefits to skincare. CBD cosmetics can include various ingredients such as extracts from the hemp plant, vitamins, natural scents, and more. For specific information about Honesy cosmetics, you can find it directly under each product description.

CBD capsules

One of the most practical and accurate ways to use CBD, CBG, and CBN and incorporate it into your regular wellness routine is to take softgel capsules. We offer three types of softgel capsules at Honesy that can be used for many purposes.

Honesy CBD capsules provide a balanced lifestyle for busy individuals. CBD softgel capsules are easy to carry around and always have with you on the go. With Honesy products you can expect to have a sharp focus, a relaxed body, and the best sleep. Honesy products will be your new heaven instead of painkillers, expensive massages, and ineffective sleeping medication. 

Science Behind CBD

How CBD Interacts with the Body

What is the Endocannabinoid System? 

The Endocannabinoid system is a biological system within humans that is composed of neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids that bind cannabinoid receptors, and the cannabinoid receptor system is made of proteins that span throughout the vertebrate central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

Cannabinoid receptors in our bodies are composed of CB1 and CB2 receptors:

  • CB1 receptors act as a guiding mechanism for most other neurotransmitters. By immediate feedback, they regulate the activity of different systems, for example, by managing hunger. To stimulate various receptors, an organism produces endocannabinoids similar to cannabinoid molecules found in cannabis plants.
  • CB2 receptors mostly habitat within our immune system, which is critical for vertebrate immune functioning. Thus, it is clearly linked to managing pain and inflammation. CB2 receptors, while stimulated, do not produce the cannabis “high” effect - they are the primary focus of research in drug intake, management, and development.

Endocannabinoid System’s Role in Bodily Functions

  • The endocannabinoid system’s main operational targets are learning, memory, and hunger, which, as it happens, are the most crucial research themes in understanding cannabinoid interactivity with the human body.
  • Role in learning and memory. The cycle of forgetting and memorizing has always played a crucial role in humans. It is a mechanism for preventing the human brain from overloading with enormous amounts of data. Mainly every research conducted about cannabis and THC effects neurologically always outputs a conclusive side effect of short-term memory loss. Abstinence from THC-filled cannabis products returns memory to normal. Functional brain imaging shows just that. Whereas CBD products, while still having a similar effect, help to relieve tension and are highly successful in treating PTSD, hence, triggering the endocannabinoid system in the way of relief and not endangering the brain with permanent short-term memory loss.
  • Role in hunger management. Cannabis that has the usual “high” associated with it, the THC-filled variety, is known for causing “munchies”. All of it is triggered by stimulating the CB1 receptors. Hence, to lose weight and accelerate metabolism, CB1 receptors should be blocked, and CB2 ones awakened. CBD products without a trace of THC, like the ones produced by Honesy, create this effect. As a result, all the excess hunger is forgone in place of lowering stress and managing hunger more sufficiently.

Learn more in our Cannabinoids Guide.

Does CBD Get You High?

Effects of CBD

It's important to recognize that CBD and THC is currently the focus of extensive research, leading to numerous innovations, potential benefits, and a growing body of results, case studies, and feedback from around the world. Below, you can find some research specifically related to CBD:

Sleep: Case series published in the National Library of Science found that CBD can help improve anxiety and sleep in a clinical population, with anxiety scores decreasing in 79.2% and sleep scores improving in 66.7% of patients within the first month.

Dr. Whitelocke states in Forbes Health that CBD can "suppress the dysregulated cycle of stress hormone overactivation and equalize the sleep and wake rhythm by counteracting these hormones."

Stress: CBD aids in stress relief by modulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors to maintain homeostasis and regulate stress responses. It also interacts with serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT1A, enhancing serotonin signaling to improve mood and reduce anxiety. CBD's potential to lower cortisol levels, protect against neuroinflammation, and exhibit anxiolytic effects contributes further to stress reduction (Sources: Blessing et al., 2015; Campos et al., 2016Hurd et al., 2019; Linares et al., 2019; Shannon et al., 2019).

Anxiety Relief: Case series published in the National Library of Science found that CBD can help improve anxiety and sleep in a clinical population, with anxiety scores decreasing in 79.2%.

Energy/Focus: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates physiological processes like focus and attention. By influencing ECS receptors, CBD may modulate neurotransmitter activity and promote a sense of calmness and relaxation that could reduce distractions and improve attention span.

Pain Relief: Research indicates that CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and modulate pain perception. Studies suggest it may be effective for chronic pain management, including conditions like arthritis, muscle soreness, and neuropathic pain ([Harvard Health Publishing], [Arthritis Foundation], [Healthline]).

Misconceptions About CBD

Common Myths

CBD is the same as marijuana

The myth that CBD is the same as marijuana stems from confusion between cannabis compounds and the plants they come from. While CBD is a compound found in both hemp and marijuana, it is distinct from marijuana itself. Here's why this is a misconception:

  • Different compounds: Marijuana contains high levels of THC, the compound with psychoactive effects, responsible for the "high." In contrast, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not cause any intoxicating effects.
  • Plant varieties: Hemp and marijuana are both from the cannabis plant family, but they differ in their chemical composition. Hemp is legally required to contain 0.3% or less THC, whereas marijuana typically has much higher THC levels.
  • Different uses: CBD products are often derived from hemp and are used for their potential therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief and anxiety management, without the mind-altering effects associated with marijuana.

All CBD products contain THC.

No, not all CBD products contain THC and CBD. Honesy products do not contain any THC. 

Fact-Checking

It's important to check CBD product labels for several reasons:

  • THC content: Not all products are THC-free, and if you need to avoid THC due to legal restrictions, drug tests, or personal preference, it’s crucial to verify the THC and CBD levels.
  • CBD concentration: Labels provide information about the amount of CBD per serving or per package. This helps users accurately dose their intake based on their specific needs.
  • Ingredients and additives: Some products may contain additional ingredients like flavorings, carrier oils, or other supplements. Checking the label ensures you're aware of any potential allergens or ingredients that may affect your health or interact with medications when using CBD.
  • Quality and safety: Reputable products will often include information about third-party lab testing, which verifies the product’s potency, purity, and safety. This helps ensure you're not consuming harmful contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, or synthetic chemicals.
  • Legal compliance: Proper labeling ensures the product complies with local laws, which may regulate CBD content, THC limits, and manufacturing standards.

Checking labels helps ensure you're getting a high-quality, safe, and legal product tailored to your needs.

Each Honesy product comes with instructions on its packaging, detailed descriptions on each product page, and third-party lab results for each product and bath on our lab results page. 

How to Choose the Right CBD Product?

Full-spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum vs. Isolate

There are three main types of CBD products that differ in their THC content:

  • Full-spectrum CBD: Contains all the natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC (typically less than 0.3%). The presence of multiple compounds may create an "entourage effect," where they work together to enhance the overall benefits.
  • Broad-spectrum CBD: Contains multiple cannabinoids and compounds from the cannabis plant but with all THC removed. It offers some of the benefits of full-spectrum products without the presence of THC.
  • CBD isolate: This is pure CBD with no other cannabinoids or compounds, including THC. It is ideal for those who want to avoid THC entirely.

Wanna be happy? Be.