As more and more people try CBD for the first time, one of the most common questions is “how does CBD oil make you feel?” Learn the answer to this question and more in our latest guide!
A friend uses CBD shots to help with focus. Your neighbor swears by CBD gummies before bed. Your dear mother/grandmother even has a bottle of CBD oil in her purse for stressful days. Truthfully, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t considered trying CBD oil for one reason or another—some surveys suggest about one-third of adults have used CBD already.
You may have heard about all the ways people are using CBD oil and why, but the most important question is: How does CBD oil make you feel? Let’s dive in headfirst to get a close look at how CBD works, how CBD makes you feel, and more so you know what to expect.
First, how does CBD oil work exactly?
CBD (cannabidiol) interacts with what we now know as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. The ECS is a broad system of receptors found throughout the nervous system. Researchers believe the ECS could play a role in many serious bodily operations, including things like pain perception, immune system responses, and more.
CBD is scientifically a phytocannabinoid (plant-derived cannabinoid), just as other cannabinoids like THC. But the body also makes its own endocannabinoids. While the two compounds have differing roots, they are very similar in nature and action. When CBD is introduced into the body, it gets to work in the ECS system and seems to behave almost like a balancing agent for the system.
While the exact mechanics of how CBD affects the receptors found in the ECS is not completely clear, it’s suspected the cannabinoid encourages the body to produce its own endocannabinoids and helps sustain those already present. By contrast, THC actually binds to ECS receptors, which may explain why THC has intoxicating effects while CBD seems to act more as a therapeutic agent.
So, how does CBD oil make you feel?
Most people say they feel a sense of calmness or relaxation. CBD has been shown to have anxiolytic properties, which may help support that trademark sense of ease. Beyond this, however, experiences can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- Why the individual used the CBD (e.g. for pain, sleep, anxiety, etc.)
- How the CBD was consumed
- The type of CBD taken
The individual’s reaction can also be unique due to variances in body chemistry and the ECS system. What one individual experiences may not be the same as someone else even if the two people are taking identical CBD oil products and dosages. One individual may be more perceptive to the effects than another. For example, one may find a single dose of CBD oil before bed helps them go right to sleep, and another may not feel the relaxing effects for several hours.
Will CBD get you high or make you feel intoxicated?
CBD is not an intoxicating cannabinoid like THC. Your motor skills, perception, or reaction times will not be detrimentally affected, so you can take CBD and go on about your day. Remember, CBD derived from hemp is only legally allowed to have 0.3 percent THC, so most products don’t contain anywhere near enough THC to give you a high. If you have specific concerns about THC, opt for zero-THC CBD in the form of well-tested broad-spectrum products like those from Nirvana CBD.
Another important note, CBD is psychoactive, but this doesn’t mean it will make you high or inebriated. Psychoactive simply means a product may have psychological effects. For example, an individual may take CBD to help support focus, which is a psychological process. The cannabinoid is actually being studied for its efficacy for psychiatric and mood disorders like PTSD, depression, and addiction.
Does CBD oil make you feel drowsy or sleepy?
It’s easy to conclude CBD must make you sleepy since a lot of people use CBD to support better sleep. However, unlike THC, CBD is not likely to make you feel overly drowsy or sleepy. The general consensus is that CBD oil helps you feel more relaxed; this alone could help you fall asleep easier and rest better once you are asleep.
Numerous CBD users take their daily dose in the morning to get their day started in a calmer state and don’t have their energy levels affected. Many users also take CBD with melatonin in order to help improve restfulness.
Will different CBD product types make you feel different ways?
Logic would lead most to assume that all CBD will make you feel the same regardless of whether you’re chewing a CBD gummy or taking drops under your tongue. While CBD is distributed to your ECS no matter the product, there can be variances between products. You may not notice big differences in how you feel, but you could see a difference in how long it takes to feel the effects depending on the type of product:
- CBD Oil or Tincture Used Sublingually – Kicks in quickly, within as little a 15 minutes.
- Ingested CBD Oil, Softgels, or Edibles – Can take an hour or two to feel effects.
- Smoked or Vaped CBD – Usually kicks in quickly, within 15 to 30 minutes.
- Topical CBD Creams, Salves, or Oils – May take longer to kick in; as much as an hour or two. Typically formulated to help target pain.
Another thing to note, every product you find (even CBD oil) has a different compilation of ingredients, which can also affect the end experience. For example, you may have a different experience if you take a broad-spectrum CBD oil versus CBD isolate oil. Likewise, the potency of the product and how much CBD you take can make a difference.
Are there any CBD side effects?
Along your quest to answer the question “What does CBD oil feel like?” side effects are obviously important. Pretty much anything you put in your body can have side effects, and CBD is no different. However, CBD has been touted as having a seemingly good safety profile in a review published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. The most commonly occurring side effects include:
- General fatigue or tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite or changes in weight
Nausea, dry mouth, and slight lightheadedness have been reported by some CBD users as well. But, any side effects experienced tend to be relatively mild and pass quickly. As always, if you’re taking other supplements or medications, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor as CBD may interfere with some medications.
An Important Question: Can you overdose on CBD oil?
The short answer about whether you could take a CBD overdose would be no. But let’s take a closer look at a longer explanation.
The term “overdose” can be perceived in a few ways. An overdose could mean taking a double dose or taking too much of something and having a bad reaction. Could you take a whopping amount of CBD and have a bad experience? It’s possible. Most professionals agree that even an “extremely large dose” would probably cause symptoms like nausea, extreme drowsiness, or other unpleasant outcomes, but such a large dose would not cause death. You would also likely recoup quickly without major treatment. Some research suggests that something like 20,000mg of CBD taken almost at the same time could be called a “toxic” dose in monkeys—toxic meaning causing ill effects.
Secondly, an overdose could be referring to taking too much of a substance and there being a lethal outcome, such as what may happen if someone overdosed on heroin or sleeping pills. The National Cancer Institute says that lethal overdoses from cannabinoids don’t happen. Their research has shown that because receptors of the ECS are not found in the brain stem, cannabinoids can’t affect vital functions like respiration or blood circulation like other drugs can. Therefore, someone overdosing in a lethal way with CBD alone would be essentially unheard of.
With all things considered, a CBD overdose that makes you uncomfortable could be possible, but a life-threatening CBD overdose is highly unlikely. Sticking with the general guideline of starting low and slow and monitoring the effects to adjust your dose is always your best bet.
Discover the CBD Feeling for Yourself with Nirvana CBD
In the end, the numerous advantages of CBD make it an attractive little plant-derived ingredient with a huge reputation. If you’re ready to find out for yourself what does CBD feel like, make sure you opt for a good product. Take a look at our lineup of hemp-based, broad-spectrum CBD oil, CBD gummies, and more at Nirvana CBD.
Thanks for reading our latest article. What did you think of the guide? Did it help answer the question, “how does CBD oil make you feel?” Share your thoughts in the comments–we’d love to hear from you–and, don’t forget to check out our CBD blog for more articles, guides, and more.
The information contained in this article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or guidance from a certified doctor or lawyer. Before trying Cannabidiol (CBD) or purchasing any CBD product, you should always conduct your own research and consult with your doctor. While CBD was classified as “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile” by the World Health Organization (WHO), further research is needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CBD on a generalized basis.
Nirvana CBD products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
