Does CBD Get You High?

While many of your most burning questions are answered in our CBD 101 guide, FAQ, and throughout our blog, we thought it was high time (wink) to do a deep dive into one of the most common questions we get: does CBD get you high?

So, does CBD get you high? The short answer is no. CBD does not get you high. But obviously, the question comes from a valid place, so let’s get into it! 

CBD vs. THC

If you’re here, you probably know what CBD is, but let us remind you. CBD is short for cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive, non-intoxicating organic compound found in hemp, a variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Hemp used to be known for its many industrial and agricultural uses, but now it’s even more famous thanks to the growing popularity of CBD. 

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound that does get you high. THC is found in marijuana, whereas CBD tends to come from industrial hemp. Where it gets confusing is that they both come from the same species: Cannabis Sativa. But the difference in compounds has to do, at least in part, with industry. The thick stalks of industrial hemp provide the material for rope and clothing, among other things. Years of selective breeding has led hemp to naturally produce much less THC. Marijuana, on the other hand, has always been the source of the cannabis that people smoke to get high – or these days, as in the case of medical marijuana, for pain-relieving reasons too, among others. Because CBD can dull the effects of THC, selective breeding throughout the years has led to a concentration in THC in marijuana plants. 

What’s Legal?

The times have been a-changing. All forms of cannabis were made illegal in 1970, but that’s no longer the case. While marijuana is still illegal on the federal level, medical marijuana is now legal in 36 states and even recreational marijuana is legal in 18 states. These guys will get you high. 

But what about CBD, which doesn’t get you high? Thanks to the good old Farm Bill of 2018, the use of non-THC cannabinoids from hemp plant, grown according to the specs provided by the legislation, is now federally legal! A few states (Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota) have their own state restrictions against CBD, but federally speaking, it’s legal everywhere! 

One of the specs laid out in the Farm Bill is that all CBD must comply with the legal threshold of 0.3% or less THC contained within the products. This is the key to why CBD does not get you high, especially if you’re buying from verified and reputable companies such as Highline. A simple way to make sure that the products you’re buying contain 0.3% or less THC is to check the Certificate of Analysis (COA), a lab test that is essentially a list of compounds within the product.  

Does This Apply to All CBD?

If you’re here, you know that CBD is, of course, not just a plant that people smoke, like marijuana. You can find CBD in everything from gummies, oils, and other edibles to topical products and bath bombs. Will any of this CBD get you high? The potency rule applies here, too: if the products are made from CBD grown according to the legislation, they will not get you high. In fact, to put it into perspective: the amount of THC needed to create high feelings is usually over 1%. Thanks to lab testing and regulations, which all reputable companies and brands will follow, legal CBD products shouldn’t even come near that threshold. 

CBD Doesn’t Get You High! What Does It Do?

As we hope we’ve made clear, people don’t take CBD in order to get high. The popularity of CBD is growing in large part due to the fact that it’s an all-natural, over-the-counter alternative to other medications that do have addictive properties. While studies around the effects of CBD are ongoing, some of the major wellness aspects that attract people to this compound include: 

• potential to help with sleep, especially when combined with melatonin
• potential to soothe stiff and sore muscles
• potential to induce a calming sense of well-being

As with any other nutritional products or supplements, be sure to consult with your doctor before making changes to your lifestyle. But you can rest assured that no matter what else, CBD won’t get you high! 

If you’re ready to give CBD a shot but you’re not sure where to start, check out our CBD Quiz, designed to help you find the ideal product for your needs. Learn even more about CBD and dive into our blog to get the latest on all things CBD like why it might be able to help you sleep and how to use it for stress! A good place to start? Check out our night gummies!