What Does CBD Feel Like?

Let’s put this into perspective: CBD should be thought of as “non-intoxicating,” rather than “non-psychotropic.” Accumulated evidence demonstrates that, to a limited extent, CBD may positively influence:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Psychosis
• Sleep

Larger, randomized controlled clinical studies are required to further determine and characterize these effects. Yet, the information collected so far is promising.

In our brain and spinal cord, CB1 receptors are found in abundance. Admittedly, CBD does not directly act on them. Instead, it changes the effect that direct agents, like THC, have on CB (cannabinoid) receptors.

Further pre-clinical biochemical investigation shows that CBD’s health potential stems from its interaction with various receptors like 5HT1A (serotonin) and BDNF. This may explain some anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

The observed antipsychotic effects of CBD in small human studies likely relate to the activation of TRVP1 receptors. Many other receptors have also been identified to interact with CBD, and further clinical investigation into its possible effects on psychiatric disorders is necessary and underway.

We know now that a single dose of CBD by itself, no matter how large, cannot cause euphoria or affect your cognition. ^{1 2} Since CBD does not directly activate CB receptors, this likely explains why consumers don’t experience a “high.” ⁵

CBD is considered safe and well-tolerated even across a wide dose range. ⁴ The World Health Organization (WHO) echoes this finding in their latest CBD report and also found no evidence of abuse or dependence potential for CBD. ⁸

Interestingly, CBD is shown to have essentially the opposite feeling effects of THC. ^9 10 When combined, CBD overall tends to reduce the psychological anxiety induced by THC. ¹¹

Nevertheless, these results are a bit mixed, and the ratio doses vary. Follow-up studies done over 12 months on the 1:1 THC:CBD oral spray Sativex® (GW Pharmaceuticals) have shown neither a decline in cognitive function nor a negative mood impact. ¹²

Long-term, conclusive studies exclusively on CBD and mood are yet to be done. Currently, there is no evidence to support CBD as a mood stabilizer for mood disorders. It is also not yet known how CBD may affect persons who are pregnant or with specific conditions.

To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved CBD in the form of Epidiolex® (GW Pharmaceuticals) as an anti-seizure medication for rare childhood seizure disorders. A small percentage (<10%) of those study patients reported CBD causing irritability and agitation. ¹³

While taking CBD does not cause a “high” that builds a psychological tolerance over time, our bodies may process various CBD dosages and routes differently. CBD may elevate levels of important drugs like blood thinners, antidepressants, seizure medications, and many others due to its interaction with families of significant liver enzymes. ¹⁴

In the FDA trials for Epidiolex and in mouse models, high dose CBD (2.5-20 mg/kg) caused high liver enzymes in a small portion of subjects, likely indicating liver damage. ^13 15 However, this damage was reversible in two-thirds of Epidiolex patients with dose reduction or cessation if necessary. ¹³

While such high levels may not be necessary nor practical for the average cannabis plant consumer to achieve or feel the effects they desire, you should always tell your doctor before considering a CBD regimen. They know your medical history and may decide to adjust medication dosages or routinely monitor your liver enzymes.

Never abruptly stop or decrease your prescription medication dose without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Variables like history, height, weight, biological gender, prescriptions, CBD dose, and liver enzyme activity mean that CBD dosing is not an exact science for everyone.

As with consuming THC, CBD should also be dosed in a manner that is “slow and low”– and gradually built up over time if needed. Since there has yet to be established CBD dosing guidelines, a reasonable dose to start would be about 0.1-0.5 mg/kg, meaning an average person of 80kg (176 lbs) should start with a low dose between 8-40mg, and go from there until desired effects are achieved.

The most common side effects of CBD products include: ¹³

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• High liver enzymes
• Reduced appetite

Generally, CBD takes effect within a few weeks – but there is some evidence it can also work within hours. The exact answer can’t be known and depends on what your goal of taking it is, in addition to physical and dosing variables.

In a couple of small public speaking studies, CBD in doses of 300mg and 600mg given 90 minutes before stress was able to reduce situational social anxiety. ¹⁶ These data are limited and somewhat contradictory since the former study did not find beneficial effects with 600mg of CBD. Therefore, larger investigations are needed to determine proper dosing and indications.

When it comes to depression, previous data is limited, but a new mouse model study found CBD produced rapid antidepressant effects within 30 mins at doses of 7-30mg/kg. ^17 18 Of course, it’s still too early to prove anything conclusive in humans, and you should never stop taking antidepressants on your own without speaking to your provider first.

In a large case series of patients with anxiety and sleep issues, subjective improvement in these categories was observed after the first month and sustained until the end of the third month. ¹⁹ Note that this was not a well-controlled clinical trial – there was no placebo group for comparison and the people involved knew they were taking CBD (an “open-label” study), leaving room for bias.

Epidiolex patients also saw improvements in seizures within 4 weeks. ¹³ If you are new to CBD, taking small-moderate doses regularly over several weeks may be useful for your wellness.

Several factors influence how CBD will make you feel. Whether you take CBD gummies or try lollipops, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before upping your dosage.

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