What Does CBD Feel Like?

What does CBD feel like? Well, the answer is different for everyone. But we can draw from CBD’s long history of use as a powerful natural compound to help us get to the basics. For many people, CBD offers a soothing sensation. As a result, many users fid taking CBD helps manage anxiety, depression, or other sources of stress.

Of course, there are other reasons people take CBD. And other feelings or effects you may experience after taking CBD. But before we can talk about, what does CBD feel like, we’ve got to look into the cannabis plant. Because that’s the best way to understand the effects of this natural compound, and how it works in the human body.

What Does CBD Feel Like?

When you ingest CBD, it releases sedative properties [1]. Now, it’s important to note that we don’t mean “sedative” in terms of medical-grade sedation. Because taking CBD won’t knock you out. Instead, you’ll likely experience mild sedation. And it may temporarily soothe your brain and body.

Now, here’s what CBD won’t feel like–it can’t get you high! This is because the compound has no psychoactive effects. In fact, that’s a key difference between CBD and THC. While both are sourced from cannabis, CBD doesn’t alter your brain function, unlike THC. After all, even full-spectrum CBD must legally contain less than 0.3% THC, so it can’t be psychoactive. And that’s an important difference, since it may help you understand what CBD actually feels like when put to use.

CBD and Sleep

We’ve already noted that CBD can feel like a mild sedative. And studies show how CBD’s sedative properties can help your body enjoy deeper sleep. Especially when you compare CBD to other options, including sleeping pills. Because, without the use of chemicals, CBD can help you relax before going to rest for the night. In that state, you are more likely to enjoy a complete REM cycle of sleep. And that can contribute to more restorative rest, which will have a physical impact it on your body.

Now, what happens if you wake up in the night, and still have CBD in your body? Well, given its sedative property, having the substance in your body should make it easier for you to stay relaxed. In turn, you may find it easier to fall back asleep. Which is why some insomniacs find relief from CBD for sleep.

But Wait: Does CBD Really Not Get You High?

Once again, our answer is NO! We do source CBD from cannabis plants. And then we offer the extract in various forms, including lotions, oils, tinctures, and more. But, to be a federally legal product in the United States, these products can only contain trace amounts of THC. So even a full-spectrum CBD product, if sourced from hemp,  won’t get you high at all [2].

As a result, most of the focus for those asking “What does CBD feel like?” goes down to the calming effect. For former marijuana users, this experience should feel quite different. Because, instead of feeling a euphoric high, you may feel relaxed and soothed after taking CBD. So, that’s what it feels like when you take CBD. But there may be some more subtle effects of CBD that you’ll also want to understand!

CBD Effects: What We Do And Don’t Know

Currently, researchers are working hard to understand how CBD affects us. But what we do know is this: any effects you notice after taking CBD has to do with your endocannabinoid system (ECS.)

The ECS includes a series of two different receptors – CB1 and CB2. They are present throughout the human body. And your neural pathways interact with these receptors, sending signals back and forth to your brain and other important systems in your body [3]. Among other areas, your ECS helps manage your pain experience, as well as your mood and emotions through your CB1 receptors. Then, your CB2 receptors link your immune system and may help you manage inflammation.

Now, when you take CBD, the cannabinoid impacts these receptors. Of course, we must note that the type of CBD that you use will impact its effect on you. For example, if you take hemp-extracted, full spectrum CBD, you product will only contain trace amounts of THC. So your experience should be calming. But if you take CBD extracted from marijuana, higher THC concentrations could yield a completely different feeling in your body. Plus, your product may not be legal in many parts of the country.

Of course, there are also different types of CBD you can choose from. And they’ll be classified based on the makeup of cannabinoids inside them. A good example of this would be full-spectrum CBD, which includes all of the compounds present in the cannabis plant. (Meaning cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids). On the other hand, with a broad-spectrum CBD solution, you’ll include non-intoxicating compounds such as terpenes and/or flavonoids, but all traces of THC will be removed. And, with CBD isolate, your product will contain nothing except for concentrated cannabidiol.

How Does CBD Work In Your Body?

When asking “What does CBD feel like?” you will want to start with the Endocannabinoid System, as we just mentioned. Remember: we only discovered the ECS after we started using cannabinoids. In fact, that’s how the system got its name!

Basically, what we know so far is that your ECS interlinks with your brain, help boost your health by maintaining balance among your various internal systems. And guess what? Humans aren’t the only ones with an ECS. As it turns out, birds, fish and animals like cats and dogs also have endocannabinoid systems.

Because of its prevalence, scientists keep researching the ECS and its impact. Already, we know that it produces endocannabinoids naturally in your body. These are similar to cannabinoids produced by plants, and may explain why our body feels different after we ingest or apply phytocannabinoids. (Those are cannabinoids produced by plants such as cannabis.)

Now, it’s important to understand that endocannabinoids work differently from neural pathways such as dopamine. They aren’t always present in your body. Instead, your ECS produces endocannabinoids when it needs to restore balance. Or it interacts with cannabinoids you introduce to your system. But, either way, they work with what’s currently present in your body, instead of storing up compounds. And this is why most of the effects of CBD are temporary.

Final Thoughts

For those who are serious about making the most of CBD, you need to buy CBD from a reliable source. This is going to ensure you get a quality CBD product, whether it s a tincture, oil, or topical. It will also help ensure that your CBD experience feels good. And doesn’t produce unwanted results.

Of course, the change to your body may be subtle when you first start taking CBD. But, over time, you should be able to notice that, after taking CBD, it’s easier for you to relax. Some people even say they feel calm in a way that hasn’t been possible for a long time. As a result, they keep taking CBD. So that, over time, they know exactly what taking CBD feels like. And they learn to enjoy the experience, keeping the supplement part of their long-term routines!

References:

1. https://www.livescience.com/65811-what-is-cbd.html
2. https://www.verywellmind.com/cbd-vs-thc-differences-benefits-side-effects-legality-5071416
3. https://www.projectcbd.org/science/endocannabinoid-system