There was a time where riding on magic elephants came from the green grass of smoke commonly known as the cannabis plant. Unlike the experiences of weed ( god forbid those “high” dreams at night), CBD encourages a deep restful sleep even though they are from the same plant. So what does CBD feel like when you ingest or smoke it?

Let’s find out as the benefits are what users enjoyed the most.

What Does CBD Feel Like To New Users?

What is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol. This is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid complex from the cannabis plant that is not psychoactive and, therefore, CBD does not create a “high” sensation.

Instead it is used to impact one’s health in a very positive way working through experiences, such as appetite, anxiety, and pain.

The scientific understanding, up to this point, is that cannabinoids influence receptors primarily in the endocannabinoid system.

Did you know? The human body also produces cannabinoids on its own and has CB1 and CB2 receptors. Instead of directly attaching to these receptors, CBD stimulates the body to produce more of its own cannabinoids.

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 suggests that CBD offers therapeutic value in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and other ailments.

How is CBD Different From THC?

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CBD is found in all forms of the cannabis plant—hemp and marijuana—depending on THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol levels, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, also known as “weed.”

Growers who have plants with less than 0.3 percent THC are legally allowed to call it hemp. Hemp is also the primary source of CBD oil.

There is also marijuana-based CBD which contains varying levels of CBD and THC. It will produce a “high” and is not legal nationwide.

After Effect:

One of the most consequential is that THC has psychoactive effects, while CBD does not. As a result, THC users will feel “high” as the compound activates the parts of the brain with the most receptors.

What Does CBD Feel Like? It Depends On You And The Product!

The million-dollar question everyone’s asking is, “what does CBD feel like?” The answer: depends on you and on the type of extraction you can obtain from CBD with minimal THC, other cannabis compounds, or completely isolated from other cannabinoids.

Hemp-Derived vs. Marijuana-Derived CBD

Hemp contains CBD, but U.S. law requires that it contains no more than 0.3% THC. Keep in mind that products branded as “hemp oil” are not the same as CBD oil, and typically don’t contain any CBD at all.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is grown primarily for its intoxicating ingredient, THC. While some strains contain CBD, they mostly have a high THC content as well. Therefore, unlike hemp-derived CBD oil products, marijuana-derived CBD oil products could make you feel intoxicated.Marijuana-derived CBD oil remains illegal at the federal level.

Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum

Both full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD are derived from the hemp plant. The main difference between these two types of CBD is the THC content.

Full spectrum CBD contains a range of cannabinoids, terpenes and, legally speaking, can have up to 0.3% THC.

Broad spectrum starts as a full spectrum extract, but undergoes an MORE process to remove the intoxicating compound.

Experts now believe that CBD works best when combined with hemp’s other natural compounds: terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds. A 2005 study revealed that patients experienced more relief from pain and anxiety from full spectrum CBD than isolated CBD.

Referred to as the “entourage effect,” it is believed that the full spectrum of cannabinoids found in the hemp plant encourage the desired results better than CBD alone.

Sarah Polansky, founder and developer of the CBD oil brand Prismatic Plants, takes a strong stance in favor of full spectrum CBD oil.

“Always, always, always [choose] full spectrum extracts when looking for a health-positive CBD product,” she advised. “Beyond just cannabinoids, full spectrum means that the hundreds of other beneficial compounds in cannabis like terpenes and phenolics haven’t been removed.”

However, some people don’t want any THC in their CBD oil at all. That’s where broad spectrum CBD comes in where you experience the entourage effect without the risk of consuming THC.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate starts as a CBD oil and is refined into a fine, white powder. All other terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids are removed. CBD isolate is decreasing in popularity as the benefits of the entourage effect are further supported with scientific evidence. It’s still used by people who want to be sure they’re getting nothing but CBD.

Your Body

As we’ve mentioned, cannabinoids like CBD and THC affect a specific part of our CNS called the endocannabinoid system. It contains a network of receptors that cannabinoids can attach to and interact with. Studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system plays many vital roles in the body:

Bone density
Blood pressure
Digestive function
Immune activity
Energy level
Mood
Stress
Pain response
Inflammation response

Cannabinoids aid this system to perform optimally and keep you healthy. CBD itself only has a weak interaction with the endocannabinoid system, but this doesn’t make it any less beneficial.

It slightly hampers this system’s receptors to help lessen THC’s intoxicating effects that many find undesirable. On top of this, it helps your body stay mentally and physically fit by activating specific receptors and enhancing our natural endocannabinoid production.

Since each cannabinoid can impart different benefits, what type of oil you use is important. CBD oil products are classified based on the substances they contain.

Real User Experiences:

CBD effects are subtle. In fact, they are more nuanced than alcohol or THC. This characteristic makes it challenging to describe the impact. Plus, everyone has a unique reaction, and reactions can vary by dosage, CBD quality, type, and more.

One common analogy used to describe what CBD feels like is that it’s like a small glass of wine or a massage. CBD users will feel positive and relaxed without being intoxicated or inhibited. These feelings may contribute to a lowered sense of anxiety or edginess.

“CBD is used and repurposed by your body in the way you need it most, so the feeling by each individual tends to be a bit different,” says Emily Heitman, co-founder, COO and CMO of Leef Organics. “However, I think everyone feels relief and balance from daily use of CBD.”

Final Verdict:

Depending on the type, dosage, and individual user in question, CBD can have widely varying effects. Every person reacts to CBD differently, with some feeling almost buzzed while others feel nothing at all. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to the differences in our Central Nervous Systems (CNS).

Individual-specific characteristics such as the consumer’s weight, diet, metabolism, other medications, genetics, and medical conditions will also influence how CBD feels.

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 such as

Falling asleep feeling rested in a way some sleep supplements don’t allow.
Improved relaxation that stems from the reaction of cannabinoids within the brain and nervous system.
CBD works like a dimmer switch to gradually set the mind and body at ease.
There is evidence that CBD, as well as THC, can limit feelings of nausea.
CBD does not lead to statistically meaningful weight gain, even though patients report improved appetites.
Laboratory studies suggest CBD can act as an antidepressant.
The most studied benefit of CBD is related to its inhibition of chronic pain. There is evidence showing that cannabinoids affect the brain to reduce pain sensation and inflammation. Similarly, several studies with human subjects found CBD and THC together can treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
One of the most popular CBD claims is that it reduces anxiety. This evidence is mostly anecdotal, which means that while it may be true, there isn’t conclusive evidence. One of the complicating factors is that marijuana-derived CBD can make users more susceptible to anxiety.
CBD can improve focus levels because it allows more serotonin to the brain.
Researchers administered CBD to mice who had less blood flow to their brain, which is a common side effect of diabetes. The mice who received CBD ended up having lower cholesterol, hyperglycemia, and “bad fat levels.” They also saw an increase in insulin production.
Many use CBD oil topically to relieve sore running legs, but don’t realize that ingesting the wellness ingredient can have a similar effect. Studies have shown, though, that taking CBD has anti-inflammatory benefits, and muscle pain is a sort of inflammation, so it helps with recovery.

CBD

What Does CBD Feel Like? Is It Like Weed?