brain health · cbd effects · does cbd make you high · hemp and cannabis 101 · how cbd affects the brain · Mar 17, 2026

Can CBD Get You High? How CBD Affects the Brain

CBD might not get you high, but it's still used recreationally by millions of people. So, what does CBD do to your brain? Read on for the science of how CBD affects your body and brain.

Key Takeaways

CBD does not make you high.
However, CBD is widely used for its relaxing and uplifting effects, so you could potentially consider it to be psychoactive.
Potential health benefits of CBD include promoting relaxation, supporting mood, and helping with sleep.
Some CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC, which won't get you high but might cause a positive drug test.
If you want to avoid that, stick to broad-spectrum products or CBD isolate.

The Science of Cannabidiol (CBD)

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"CBD is not psychoactive, so it will not make you high. Instead, CBD products usually aim to provide a deep sense of relaxation. Some CBD products have trace amounts of THC."

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Almost two-thirds of American adults have tried it at least once, and a 2025 study found that over 10% use it regularly. ¹

In large part, that's because of the many potential benefits of CBD. We'll explore those later. Many people also enjoy CBD's effects.

But what, exactly, are those effects? CBD is naturally produced by the Cannabis sativa plant. Does that mean it can get you high?

How CBD Use Affects You

The short answer is no. CBD will not get you high. At least, not in the way you're likely thinking.

CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is a complex network of receptors and signals that helps keep our bodies balanced. It interacts with, and helps regulate, many different important bodily functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, and memory.²

Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids, which act as signals for the ECS. These cannabinoids are called endocannabinoids.

However, other cannabinoids, like CBD, can also interact with the ECS.³ Research suggests CBD can help keep endocannabinoids present in the body for longer, potentially prolonging their effects.⁴

Potential Health Benefits of CBD

But what does this actually mean for someone taking CBD?

As we mentioned, the ECS is involved in many different bodily functions. Different people will likely experience CBD in slightly different ways. Many factors can influence how you respond to CBD, including metabolism, age, weight, tolerance, dosage, and more.

In general, though, CBD is associated with relaxing and therapeutic effects.

For example, studies suggest CBD can promote relaxation and reduce stress.⁵ According to one survey, the majority of people using CBD do so for stress and relaxation.⁶

Another popular reason for using CBD is to help with sleep. In one study from 2024, 51.7% of those using CBD did so for sleep.⁷ Another study found that CBD improved sleep scores in patients with poor sleep quality.⁸

CBD's relaxing, mood-supporting effects are clearly beneficial for many people. But these effects also inspire many people to use CBD recreationally. In fact, one 2023 study found that 58.7% of people who use CBD do so recreationally.⁹

CBD can also be applied topically for pain relief. From sore muscles to achy joints, a CBD roll-on may help you soothe your overworked body.

Bonus: Is Delta 9 Sativa or Indica? Here's Full Answer

cbd products on table exactly how much cbd medical marijuana less cbd severe forms sleep disorders pet products more research health issues topical form

The Difference Between THC and CBD

The compound responsible for marijuana's iconic, intoxicating high is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It's naturally produced by the cannabis plant and has powerful psychoactive effects.

Like CBD, THC has various potential health benefits. It's used to support sleep, address nausea during chemotherapy, help people struggling with weight loss, and more.¹⁰

CBD and THC are very similar. They even have the same molecular formula. But the tiny difference in the way the atoms of each molecule are arranged makes a world of difference inside our bodies.

Where THC causes a potent, intoxicating high, CBD is prized for its relaxing, mood-supporting, and potentially therapeutic effects.

Can CBD Oil Get You High?

Do CBD's effects amount to a "high"? Some experts argue that they do make CBD psychoactive, in the same way caffeine could be considered psychoactive due to the way it affects brain function.¹¹

But in the general sense of the term, CBD does not make you high. It is not intoxicating and generally doesn't affect cognition.

Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

Drug tests generally aren't looking for CBD. Instead, they usually look for the presence of THC metabolites, compounds your body produces while breaking down THC.¹²

However, many CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC. There are two reasons for this.

First, hemp plants often naturally produce tiny amounts of THC. Products based on hemp extracts with nothing removed, called full-spectrum extracts, will naturally include these trace amounts of THC.

Second, research suggests that the presence of THC (and other natural compounds) can actually make CBD more effective. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.¹³

The tiny amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD products will not get you high. But they can possibly cause a positive drug test result.

If you're worried about that, consider using CBD products based on a broad-spectrum hemp extract. Broad-spectrum means the extract contains all the natural compounds produced by hemp plants, except THC.

Another option is pure CBD. That's exactly what it sounds like: CBD with everything else removed.

person taking cbd oil heavy metals anxiety fda doctor more than a quarter risks pain feel high other users medications

Is CBD Legal?

Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and pure CBD products are all legal. That's thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp.

Under federal law, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. That's why some CBD products contain trace amounts of THC.

CBD derived from hemp is called hemp-derived CBD. Hemp-derived CBD is also federally legal. (Local laws may vary.)

Where to Buy CBD Products

In the years since hemp was legalized, CBD products have exploded in popularity. It's never been easier to get CBD.

However, that can make it hard to know where to start. One thing to consider is quality. Studies have found that many CBD products have different chemical makeups than claimed on the label, and some are even contaminated with toxins.¹⁴

To avoid this, consider sticking with CBD companies that test their CBD products. Clean Remedies sends all its products for testing at an independent, third-party lab. You can see the certificate of analysis for a product by scanning the QR code included.

One of the most popular ways of consuming CBD is with edibles.¹⁵ There are plenty to choose from.

A great place to start is with gummies. For deep relaxation, consider our Relax & Calm CBD Gummies. For an uplift, consider Energy & Focus CBD Gummies.

For better sleep, consider our Sleep & Soothe CBD Gummies. These CBD gummies are made with melatonin and contain full-spectrum hemp extract, GABA, and L-Theanine to help calm the mind and settle the body into restorative sleep.

"This is a great product for anyone that has trouble relaxing or sleeping in the evening," says Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "I take two gummies on nights that I'm really stressed out, and one gummy on other nights."

Gummies are far from the only option. CBD oil, or tincture, is another popular way to consume CBD. You can take it straight from the bottle or mix it into drinks or food for a delicious CBD-infused treat.

If you want to take advantage of the entourage effect, consider our Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture. And if you prefer zero THC, simply opt for our Broad-Spectrum CBD Tincture. We also offer 99% Pure CBD Isolate Powder for people who want nothing but pure CBD.

cbd tincture insomnia scientists cancer cbd oil tetrahydrocannabinol doctor anxiety thc cannabis marijuana cbd oil

Conclusion

CBD is a powerful molecule with many potential health benefits. Its relaxing, uplifting effects also make it popular among recreational users. However, it does not make you high, in the same way THC does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Feel Buzzed From CBD?

CBD can produce various uplifting and relaxing effects. But it doesn't result in an intoxicating buzz or high like THC.

Does CBD Still Get You Stoned?

No, CBD does not get you stoned or high. It's not psychoactive. The high associated with cannabis is caused by THC.

Can You Greenout From CBD?

High doses of CBD generally don't cause a greenout, like with THC. That said, while research has found humans can tolerate large amounts of CBD, taking too much can cause negative side effects.¹⁶

Keep Reading: Does Hemp Contain THC?

Sources

Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.