Does CBD get you high? Here's what the science says

Do CBD joints get you high? What about taking CBD oil? It's the question that holds a lot of people back before trying CBD for the first time, and the answer is the same in both cases: no, CBD doesn't get you high. Unlike THC, CBD doesn't cause euphoria or alter your state of consciousness. What people who use it describe is almost the opposite: a feeling of calm and relaxation, without ever losing mental clarity.

So why is there so much confusion? Because CBD and THC come from the same plant (Cannabis sativa) and are very similar. But there are differences between CBD and THC and they have very different effects on the brain. THC gets you high; CBD doesn't. Let's look at why, with what the science and the World Health Organization (WHO) itself have to say.

Does CBD get you high? The short answer is no

No, CBD doesn't get you high. It's worth making this clear from the start: although it comes from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol doesn't cause the “high”, the buzz or the euphoria we associate with weed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) settled the debate on CBD's safety in the report by its Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), which concluded that CBD shows no effects indicative of abuse or dependence and that it is not associated with public health problems (1).

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp, just as THC is the most abundant in cannabis. Both compounds have been studied extensively, and the current scientific evidence lets us say that THC and CBD act very differently in the brain, that their effects are different, and that CBD doesn't get you high, doesn't alter perception and isn't addictive.

Why doesn't CBD get you high?

Because, in the brain, CBD barely binds to the CB1 receptors. These receptors are where THC acts, and they are concentrated in areas that regulate memory, mood, perception and movement control. When THC is consumed, those receptors are activated and the “high”, euphoria and altered perception kick in.

CBD, on the other hand, doesn't bind to the same brain receptors as THC, so it doesn't trigger that psychoactive effect. Instead, it modulates their activity and works through other pathways (we look at them below). Some research even suggests that CBD could reduce the effect of THC (2).

Today, CBD is used in many ways: CBD oil, smoked, vaporised or applied topically, depending on the format and the country; we cover this in our guide on how to use CBD.

CBD vs THC: key differences

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa), but they play very different roles.

THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis: euphoria, altered perception and the feeling of being “high”. It is found mainly in cannabis strains, where it can exceed 15–30% THC.

CBD, by contrast, is the predominant cannabinoid in industrial hemp, a variety of cannabis that is very low in THC. As they contain no meaningful amount of THC, hemp-derived products are not intoxicating: their THC content is too low to produce psychoactive effects. That difference in concentration and effect is also what explains the different legal status of hemp and cannabis.

The key difference, then, is that CBD and THC don't produce the same psychoactive effect, because each acts differently in the brain. We sum it up in this table:

Why cannabis gets you high and CBD doesn't

Why does cannabis get you high?

When cannabis is smoked or eaten, THC binds to and activates the CB1 receptors, which are spread throughout the brain. That activation sets off a cascade of effects in the nervous system: euphoria and altered perception, what we call getting stoned, a buzz or a “high”. Like when someone checks the clock convinced that ages have gone by when, in fact, it's only been a few minutes.

THC also stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain's reward system, which reinforces the feeling of pleasure. It also affects the areas that process what we see and hear, so the perception of time, sound and colour is distorted while the effect lasts: music seems to sound different, images become distorted or hunger kicks in (the munchies).

If you're interested in the detail, we cover it in the effects of cannabis on the brain.

Why doesn't CBD get you high?

CBD works differently. It barely binds to the CB1 receptors, so it doesn't activate them the way THC does; in fact, it can even curb THC's effect when both are present (3).

So what does it do instead? It works through other pathways in the brain – mainly the serotonin (5-HT1A) and TRPV1 receptors – linked to mood, anxiety, pain and sleep (4–10). That's why it is being studied medically for its calming and neuroprotective potential (11, 12), and why people who use it describe relaxation and wellbeing without losing clarity, rather than a “high”.

In short, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system without altering perception or causing intoxication.

Ultimately, the difference is tiny and lies in the molecular shape of these cannabinoids: CBD's atoms are arranged in a line, whereas THC's form a closed ring at one end. That's why one binds to a certain type of receptor and the other doesn't.

What does CBD feel like? The real effects

If CBD doesn't get you high, what do you actually feel? What users describe isn't a “buzz” but a feeling of calm and relaxation, both physical and mental, with no loss of control or changes in perception.

Unlike THC, it doesn't impair coordination or short-term memory (1). That's why it is associated with moments of rest and wellbeing, rather than with a recreational effect. You'll find the details in our guide on the effects of CBD.

“I smoked CBD and got high”: what could have happened?

I got high smoking CBD – is that possible? No, it's not what normally happens. Smoking CBD doesn't produce anything like the feeling of smoking cannabis with THC, and neither does CBD hash or CBD oil.

That said, it's worth telling two things apart: noticing “something” isn't the same as getting high. CBD isn't an inert substance: CBD and terpenes are bioactive compounds, so you can notice their effects. The most common is a feeling of relaxation, and some sensitive people feel slightly dizzy, just as some people feel dizzy from the smell of tobacco alone. But that is not a psychoactive effect: there's no euphoria, no distorted perception and no “high”.

If what you noticed when taking or smoking CBD was a genuine psychoactive effect – a buzz like the one THC gives you – the product was most likely not pure CBD. There are two common causes:

1. It contained more THC than allowed. Some products of dubious origin exceed the legal THC limit and can cause a psychoactive effect. This doesn't happen with established CBD shops, which face penalties (or more serious liability, depending on the case) for selling products with more THC than allowed; it happens with products that have no controls and no lab testing.
2. It contained semi-synthetic cannabinoids. Some buds are sprayed with compounds such as HHC, H4CBD, THCP or Delta-8-THC, which do have a psychoactive effect and are not CBD. These compounds have unpredictable effects (especially when combined) and can cause effects that are not typical of CBD. They are also very hard to detect in the lab. At Cannactiva, we have never worked with synthetic cannabinoids or with chemicals added to hemp flower. We only sell 100% legal CBD products that comply with the permitted THC limits, with no added chemicals, and every batch is lab tested.

Other myths and facts about whether CBD gets you high

Is CBD psychoactive?

Many everyday substances affect the brain and could be considered psychoactive, such as caffeine, nicotine or alcohol. Strictly speaking, CBD is too, because it acts on the central nervous system, albeit gently.

But, from a scientific point of view, “psychoactive” is not a synonym for “getting you high”. None of those everyday substances produces the effect of THC, and neither does CBD. That's why, to avoid confusion, the scientific literature prefers to describe CBD as “non-intoxicating” rather than “non-psychoactive” (13): it influences some mental processes, but it doesn't alter consciousness or get you high.

Is CBD psychotropic?

No, CBD is not psychotropic. “Psychotropic” is sometimes used as a synonym for “psychoactive”, but they are not the same thing.

A psychotropic substance acts on the brain and causes temporary changes in perception, behaviour or consciousness. The term is used mainly in medicine, for drugs such as antidepressants, antipsychotics or anxiolytics (14). The effects of CBD don't fall into that category.

Does CBD have side effects?

Like any substance, CBD can have side effects, especially at high doses. The most recent reviews of clinical trials describe them as mild and infrequent: tiredness, drowsiness, changes in appetite or digestive discomfort (15, 16).

The most important point is a different one: CBD can interact with some medicines (those metabolised in the liver by cytochrome P450) (15). So, if you're on any medication, check with your doctor.

We go into more detail in CBD side effects.

Frequently asked questions about whether CBD gets you high

Does CBD get you high like THC?

No. CBD barely binds to the brain's CB1 receptors, so it doesn't cause euphoria or altered perception. The WHO confirmed in 2018 that it shows no effects of abuse or dependence.

Does smoking or vaping CBD get you high?

No. CBD flower and CBD hash contain traces of THC (below 0.3%), not enough to produce a buzz. You'll notice the aroma and relaxation, not a high. As for smoking or inhaling, bear in mind that it isn't regulated in every country: Cannactiva products are not intended for consumption and are sold for external use.

CBD flower contains traces of THC: does it get you high?

No. That amount of THC (below 0.3%) is too low to produce euphoria or a “high”. What it brings is the effect of CBD together with that of the plant's other cannabinoids and terpenes – what is known as the entourage effect – without altering consciousness. Experiences vary: some people barely notice anything, while others enjoy the aroma and flavour of cannabis without its psychoactive effects. There's a legal caveat: it can only be used this way in countries where CBD is regulated for smoking; in Spain and most of the EU, CBD flower is not intended for consumption and is sold for aromatic, decorative and collecting purposes.

Does CBD show up on a drug test?

Pure CBD doesn't, because drug tests look for THC. But a full spectrum product with traces of THC could give a positive result. We explain it in does CBD show up on a drug test?.

Is it legal to drive after taking CBD?

CBD doesn't affect your driving, but it's best not to drive if you're taking CBD for the first time, so you can see how it affects you. As for roadside checks, they detect THC, not CBD. More details in driving and CBD.

Is CBD addictive?

No. In its ECDD report (2018), the World Health Organization concluded that CBD shows no effects indicative of abuse or dependence (1). We go into more depth in is CBD addictive?.

How long does CBD stay in your body?

A few days, depending on the dose and how you take it. We go into detail in how long CBD stays in your body.

Are hemp and cannabis the same thing?

No: they're the same species, but hemp is rich in CBD and low in THC. We explain it in differences between hemp and cannabis.

Can CBD help you give up THC joints?

It's one of the uses that attracts the most interest. The evidence is still preliminary, but several studies and surveys suggest that CBD could help people cut down on THC cannabis and cope with withdrawal symptoms. We look at it in depth in CBD to give up THC joints.

In short, does CBD get you high?

No. CBD doesn't produce the “high” of THC: no euphoria, no altered perception, because it barely binds to the brain's CB1 receptors. It is psychoactive in the broad sense – it has a gentle influence on mood – but it is not intoxicating: what it brings is calm and relaxation, without losing clarity.

Cannactiva CBD products are not medicines and are intended for external use. This article is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice: consult your healthcare professional before using CBD, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking medication or have any health condition.