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What Does CBD Feel Like?

5 min read
What does CBD feel like

What Does CBD Feel Like?

5 min read

Medically reviewed by

Fans of CBD use the cannabinoid in various forms – it’s a great supplement to help with everything from sleep to anxiety, and pain to inflammation control. 

Drop it under your tongue, slather it over your skin, munch CBD-infused food – the list is delightfully long!

But what does CBD feel like? 

Stick with as we explain:

  • How does CBD make you feel?
  • Does CBD make you relaxed?
  • How long it takes to feel the effects of CBD


Let’s dive straight in….

In this guide:

How does CBD make you feel?

Let’s get one thing out the way – CBD won’t make you feel ‘high’ – as there’s little to no THC present in any CBD sold legally in the UK.

So, if not high, how does CBD make you feel?

There is not one-size-fits-all answer, as CBD doesn’t manifest in exactly the same way in every personSome people don’t notice any effects, while others report a profound change in the way they feel. 

Those taking CBD to help with pain, anxiety, and sleep quality (etc, etc, etc) often report feeling a sense of calm or a boost of energy – this can also manifest as a feeling that pain has been soothed or eased

This is likely because the cannabinoids are reacting with and stabilising the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), causing these relief-like feelings. 

Stronger doses of CBD may make some people feel ever-so-slightly light-headed for a brief period of time. It’s unusual, but don’t worry if this happens to you – it’s actually your body’s ‘bliss molecule’, Anandamide, swimming around your system as a result of CBD binding to your CB1 and CB2 receptors.

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Does CBD make you relaxed?

Yes, CBD can help some people feel more relaxed. 

Why? CBD may bind with 5-HT1A receptors – usually known for binding with serotonin, which may influence things like anxiety, sleep, addiction, and perception. 

CBD’s relaxing properties are one of the reasons that many people choose to use CBD as part of their nighttime wellness routine – in order to relieve stress and promote calm before sleep.

What does CBD oil feel like
CBD does not make you high, instead it tends to provide a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Does CBD feel the same for everyone?

As alluded to earlier, not everyone notices changes in their body when taking CBD. There are many different reasons this could be happening.

The existing function of your Endocannabinoid System could have a lot to do with how your body responds to CBD. If your ECS is generally working well, then taking CBD wouldn’t optimise its function any further.

Another theory about why some people don’t respond to CBD is that they simply don’t take the time to a) allow it to work, and b) use the right dose and schedule for their needs.

CBD needs time to build up in your system

Just like you wouldn’t expect a vitamin C supplement to get to work after just one dose, you also cannot expect the same from a supplement like CBD. Be patient and don’t overthink it… Slow and steady always wins the race.

It also takes time to determine how much CBD you need to take. Many people try CBD once, don’t notice any remarkable change and then stop trying before they’ve given the active ingredients a chance to work.

Instead, we recommend taking CBD for at least one month and using this time to determine the right dosage for you. Everything good is worth waiting for, after all!

How long after taking CBD do you feel it?

How long does it take for CBD to get to work? Well, that’s largely dependent on the method by which you ingest it, and the bioavailability of that method.

If you are taking CBD sublingually (dropping CBD oil under your tongue), tinctures are typically absorbed rapidly – within about 30 seconds. Effects are then often felt within 15 minutes. 

If you’re ingesting CBD (with food or as a CBD brownie, for example) or taking CBD capsules, you will likely feel the effects within anywhere between 45 minutes and 2.5 hours. 

In the case of topical CBD, it most commonly takes between 15 and 30 minutes for effects to be felt, although, for some people, that time can be up to 45 minutes.

Vaping CBD is another way for CBD to hit the spot relatively quickly – it’s easy for CBD vapour to reach your lungs and thus enter your bloodstream, so it takes anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes to take effect.

However, do keep in mind that CBD needs time to build up in your system. If you don’t notice instant effects with your first dose, this will more often than not be the reason.

Time to feel the effect of CBD

CBD Dropper Icon

Sublingual

Within 15 minutes

Capsule Icon

Edibles

24 minutes to 2.5 hours

Cream Icon

Topical

15 to 45 minutes

Vape Icon

Vaping

10 to 20 minutes

Can you get high off CBD?

As we mentioned above, the cannabinoid CBD will not get you high as it is a non-psychoactive compound. 

Instead, it’s CBD’s famous friend, THC, that induces a high.

Its important to note that in the UK, CBD products can legally contain up to 0.2% THC, but this quantity is too low to produce any psychoactive effects.

Therefore, CBD sourced from a reputable supplier should not get you high. That said, there are less reputable sources that could conceal high levels of THC in their products.

To confirm that your CBD product won’t get you high, you should always request a third-party certificate of analysis from the supplier.

This important document will outline the cannabinoid content of your products.

If the THC content is too high (above 0.2%) then there is not only the possibility of getting high, but you are using an illegal product and have the potential to fail a drug test, as there is a risk that THC traces would be detected.

Read more: CBD vs THC

Is CBD addictive?

No need to stress – CBD is not addictive, and if you stop taking CBD, you won’t suffer from any withdrawal symptoms, and you shouldn’t notice any side effects.

CBD is generally considered to be very safe. The only exception would be if you choose a supplier that has not confirmed the THC content. 

If the THC content is much higher than advertised  (and you are essentially consuming cannabis, rather than CBD) then the product may have the capacity to become habit-forming.

Lab testing CBD oil influences the cost of CBD oil
Using high-quality, lab-tested CBD will ensure that you don't get high or become addicted.

The verdict: What does CBD feel like?

It’s crunch time. But there’s no definitive answer to the question “how does CBD make you feel”. What you can be sure of, is it won’t make you feel high. 

Most people report feeling more calm, while others turn to CBD to help reduce pain and inflammation.

To make the most of these benefits, it’s important to listen to your body and take the time to determine your dose and treatment schedule. 

If you’re unsure if CBD is right for you, get in touch with our team today. We’re here to help and guide you on your CBD journey.