Does CBD Oil Get You High?
For the last two to three years, CBD has been one of the most popular health and wellness trends, and for a good reason – research and anecdotal evidence suggests its potential use for a number of wellness problems, including pain.
One question, however, still haunts most people; does CBD oil get you high?
Despite being sourced from hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant that is low in the psychoactive THC, many users still have fears that CBD oil may have intoxicating effects.
These fears are not completely unfounded, but not because of CBD oil itself causing a high, but how some oils in the market are prepared.
As you may have noticed, the CBD industry is still not well regulated, which puts the burden of ensuring quality on your shoulders as the consumer.
In this article, we look at whether CBD oil can make you high, its THC content, and more, read on!
Does CBD Oil Get You High?
Short answer, NO. CBD oil won't get you high or more accurately, it shouldn't.
CBD is the second most prominent cannabinoid occurring in the cannabis plant.
Called Cannabidiol in full, CBD has made its way into the mainstream natural medicines after the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp cultivation, possession, and use legal in the United States.
But its perceived health and wellness benefits aren't the only factors that are contributing to its widespread use. The main reason is its approachability.
See, CBD is the primary non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant and the main one in hemp, which means it appeals to a bigger population, including those who are afraid of getting high or have adverse reactions to THC.
THC is another cannabinoidin the cannabis plant, and it's known for the notorious high associated with cannabis use.
It also has its benefits, and with the heightened interests in medical marijuana, it may become widely used in the future.
But as of now, it remains federally illegal in the United States, except for some states where it has been legalized.
Hemp plants from which the CBD oil is extracted may contain some THC traces, legally, up to 0.3%. This amount is not enough to get you high. Instead, it may even be useful for the entourage effect.
To answer your question, CBD oil extracted from legal industrial hemp cannot get you high.
CBD vs. THC, What Is The Deal?
CBD and THC are more similar than they are different.
For one, they are the two main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and they share the same molecular formula and molecular mass.
They are also formed in the same way through decarboxylation of CBDA (to CBD) and THCA (to THC).
The molecular formula for both cannabinoids is C21H30O2; they both contain 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogens, and 2 oxygen atoms.
Another similarity is that they both form from the same precursor, cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the precursor to all cannabinoids.
There is, however, one thing that makes a world of difference; the difference in their molecular structure.
CBD has a hydroxyl group, while THC doesn't.
This is why they cause different effects when introduced to the human body.
CBD is even thought to modulate the psychoactive effects of THC.
Cannabis users who use strains high in CBD report less negative effects, such as anxiety and paranoia, often experienced when consuming marijuana.
Is There THC In CBD Oil?
Short answer; it is possible to have THC in CBD oil, but not always.
As we have already stated, both THC and CBD occur in the cannabis plant, including hemp. Although industrial hemp is bred to produce high amounts of CBD and low amounts of THC, no hemp variety contains zero THC.
For hemp to be considered legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, it has to contain less than 0.3% THC.
The states' Departments of Agriculture usually enforce this.
It is, therefore, possible for CBD oil extracted from legal hemp to contain traces of THC.
Some reputable CBD producers go to great lengths to strip all THC in their products.
For example, most of CBDBioCare's products have undetectable levels of THC. It is isolated and removed without harming the other cannabinoids and terpenes in the oil.
However, at times, there may be 0.1 or 0.2% levels of THC detected. This is too little to cause any intoxicating effects.
Why Your CBD Oil May Contain THC
There are a few reasons why your CBD oil may contain THC. Here are some:
- Where your CBD oil is extracted from – Is there THC in CBD oil? The source matters. Although most CBD products use oil extracted from legal hemp, there exist some oils in the market that are extracted from marijuana, especially in states where it is legal. These oils may contain enough THC to get you high, so ensure you are aware of the source of the oil before you make a purchase.
- The type of CBD oil – CBD products are available in three primary types; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates.
Full-spectrum CBD oils are extracted from the whole plant material and are the least processed. They contain all the compounds found in the hemp plant including all the cannabinoids (including up to 0.3% THC), terpenes and flavonoids.
Full-spectrum oils are said to be the most effective because of the entourage effect.
This refers to the mechanism in which cannabinoids work together synergistically to provide greater health and wellness benefits.
The THC traces in full-spectrum CBD are not enough to cause any effects. Click here to buy full-spectrum CBD oils.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all the compounds in full-spectrum, but it is taken through an extra processing step that strips all the THC traces.
CBD isolates contain up to 99% pure CBD, and they may be made into oils by mixing the isolates in a carrier oil.
How To Avoid CBD Oils That May Contain High THC
CBD oils should not make you high.
You must ensure they do not have high THC levels before making a purchase.
Here are some of the things that you should look for:
Independent Third Party Lab Test Results – While it is not a requirement, most reputable CBD oil producers provide their customers with lab test results (CoA) of their products as proof of quality.These test results outline the levels of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, but they also test for farm chemicals, heavy metals, among others.
Read the labels – Manufacturers are supposed to indicate the concentration levels of both CBD and THC on the labels.
If the product has no label or the details are not indicated, you should move on to another product.
Look for the source – Where is the CBD extracted from? Marijuana or legal industrial hemp? Imported or locally grown hemp? Domestically grown hemp is the better option due to the strict testing and cultivation guidelines in the USA.
Take Away - Does CBD Oil Get You High?
No, CBD oil extracted from legal hemp will not get you high. However, it may contain traces of THC. Legally, THC is allowed up to 0.3%, which is the federal limit. This amount is too low to make you high. You will not even notice it.
The presence and the level of THC in CBD oil are determined by the source and the type of CBD oil.
So ensure you buy from a reputable brand and check the certificates of analysis for the products. If the brand does not provide this 3rd party testing with a COA, it may be time to move to another brand rather than risk getting high.
