CBD is said by many to have a relaxing and soothing effect, but you’re not going to feel this non-intoxicating cannabinoid the same way you would THC. To explain how CBD truly feels, we need to look at how both THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids, receptors that cannabinoids bind to, and enzymes that break them down. While THC activates the CB1 receptors, CBD induces the opposite outcome, instead inhibiting activity in the CB1 receptors.
Aside from CB1 receptors, CBD also binds to several other targets throughout the body. For instance, this non-intoxicating cannabinoid has at least 12 sites of action in the brain and may elicit therapeutic effects by activating multiple pathways at once.
The interaction between CBD and the body may create a feeling of relaxation and improved mood. Studies and anecdotal evidence also suggest that CBD offers therapeutic value in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and other ailments.
# Does CBD Make You Feel Good?
You might have heard about the various purported health benefits of this non-intoxicating cannabinoid, but how does CBD feel once it enters your system?
Many consumers and medical patients report several positive effects after taking CBD, including feelings of relaxation and calmness. But the exact “feeling” you’ll get from CBD is contingent on several factors, including the type of CBD product, the total CBD dosage, as well as the individual-specific factors.
Depending on the treatment or therapeutic relief you seek, how the effects of CBD can be experienced vary. Different CBD products may prove more beneficial than others. For instance, CBD-infused topicals have been reported to provide immense relief in pain-specific areas, while a CBD oil with a 1:1 CBD-to-THC ratio could be better suited to help with falling asleep, also perhaps producing an intoxicated feeling in consumers, depending on the level of THC.
Individual-specific characteristics such as the consumer’s weight, diet, metabolism, other medications, genetics, medical conditions, as well as the formulation and quality of the CBD product itself could all influence the amount of therapeutic value that CBD will offer.
Not only does it depend on the individual, but also their ailment or condition. Depending on the therapeutic needs, different CBD products may prove more beneficial than others.
# The Type of CBD Oil Can Dictate How You Feel
When you stumble upon a wide selection of CBD oil products, there might not appear to be much discerning them. However, not all CBD oil will make you feel the same, in fact, the effects of various CBD oil products can differ drastically.
– Hemp-derived vs. Marijuana-derived CBD Oil
There are two main classifications of cannabis plants that produce CBD: hemp and marijuana. There’s a stark difference between the chemical makeup of hemp and marijuana plants, leading to CBD oil products that boast significantly contrasting effects.
Industrial hemp plants are typically grown for their fiber and seeds, and tend to be skinny and scarce in foliage. Hemp plants and hemp-derived products are considered legal under U.S. law, as long as the plant contains no more than 0.3% THC. Therefore, hemp-derived CBD oil will have little to no THC, which will prevent consumers from feeling any of the intoxicating effects that stem from this cannabinoid.
On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD is extracted from marijuana plants that have thick, lush foliage and flowers, typically grown with higher levels of THC than CBD, although there are several CBD-rich cultivars on the market. Marijuana-derived CBD oil often contains much higher levels of THC than hemp-derived products, so consumers may want to brace for the effects of THC. These products are legally available on the adult-use market and in certain medical marijuana states, but remain illegal on the federal level.
Although the intoxicating feeling of THC might be something you wish to avoid, it’s important to note that CBD and THC have actually demonstrated a synergistic relationship when taken in tandem, a phenomenon commonly known as the “entourage effect.” For example, when CBD is consumed alongside THC, people tend to experience less of the paranoia and anxiety associated with high THC concentrations. The inclusion of other minor cannabinoids and terpenes could also contribute to the experience and to how you ultimately end up feeling.
When it comes to the purported effects of CBD oil products, we’re not only looking at hemp-derived and marijuana-derived products. The additional cannabis compounds and ingredients (or lack thereof) also will play a significant role in the consumer experience. There’s a major difference between broad-spectrum CBD oil, full-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolate, the pure powdery form of the non-intoxicating cannabinoid.
– Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
When a CBD oil product claims to be the result of a full-spectrum extraction process, that means the plant’s original terpenes and other types of cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and importantly, THC, have not been filtered out during the extraction process.
– Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad-spectrum CBD oil derived from hemp is similar to full-spectrum extraction, as the oil contains most of the cannabinoids from its original crude oil state. However, the key difference here is the additional extraction process that filters out all traces of THC. By removing THC, consumers of broad-spectrum CBD oil don’t need to worry about encountering any feelings of being high, while still reaping the potential benefits of other minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
– CBD Isolate
Another option for consumers is CBD isolate, which comes in the form of a crystalline solid or white powder. Stripped of all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, CBD isolate is the most refined form of the non-intoxicating cannabinoid, containing upwards of 99% pure CBD. With all THC and other compounds removed, CBD isolate is the purest possible form of CBD available.
