Does CBD Oil Work Without THC?

THC is widely believed to help make CBD more effective. But that doesn't necessarily mean THC-free CBD is less effective. We explain what the science says about THC-free CBD products to help you choose the best one.

Key Takeaways

• THC is thought to make CBD more effective than it would be on its own.
• However, research suggests that THC-free CBD products can be just as effective as those with THC.
• The trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD products won't get you high, but they can cause a positive drug test.
• THC-free options include broad-spectrum CBD, which contains all the other compounds naturally found in the hemp plant, and CBD isolate, which is pure CBD with everything else removed.

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

How CBD Works

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"The presence of THC is thought to boost the efficacy of CBD products. But some studies have found that CBD products with no THC were just as effective as those with trace amounts of THC."

The cannabis plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years.¹ But it wasn't until the 20th century that scientists discovered the molecule responsible for many of this plant's potential health benefits: CBD.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main compounds naturally produced by the cannabis plant and hemp plant. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp plants are federally legal. They legally must contain less than 0.3% THC, and many have been selectively bred to produce more CBD.²

Since the passage of this law, hemp-derived CBD products have exploded in popularity. Studies suggest almost two-thirds of US adults have tried CBD at least once, and more than 10% use it regularly. ³

Many of those millions of people use CBD for pleasure. Millions of others use CBD to help with stress, sleep, and overall well-being. ⁴

Endocannabinoid System

CBD works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is a complex network of signals and receptors located throughout the body. It interacts with, and helps maintain the balance of, many different bodily functions, from mood to memory, stress to sleep, and more.⁵

By interacting with the ECS, CBD has been found to cause various potentially beneficial effects. For example, research suggests that CBD can help reduce stress. ⁶ Research has also found that CBD may improve sleep duration and quality. ⁷

Bonus: Does Hemp Contain THC?

Benefits of CBD Oil Without THC

In those studies, participants were given pure CBD. That's also known as CBD isolate. 

Clearly, CBD is effective on its own. But is it specifically as effective as it might be with THC?

This is where things get a little more complicated. 

There are generally three types of hemp-derived CBD products: CBD isolate products, broad-spectrum CBD products, and full-spectrum CBD products. 

As we mentioned, hemp contains hundreds of compounds. Full-spectrum CBD products include all of these compounds, including trace amounts of THC. Broad-spectrum CBD products are THC-free, but include all the other compounds naturally found in hemp. 

So, are all three options effective?

One 2022 study investigated exactly this. A group of participants was given either CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, or full-spectrum CBD. The study found that each type of CBD product improved anxiety, sleep, pain, and well-being, with no significant differences between each type.⁸ For example, our CBD Topical Roll-On is designed to help with pain and aches for tired joints and muscles. 

Drug Test

That leads to another question. If THC-free CBD products aren't more effective than CBD products with small amounts of THC, why bother removing the THC?

THC is the main psychoactive compound produced by cannabis. Its psychoactive effects are responsible for cannabis' iconic high. Hemp plants (and hemp-derived products) can legally contain trace amounts of THC, but THC itself remains a controlled substance. 

Drug tests are usually designed to detect THC. Specifically, they usually detect THC metabolites, which are the compounds your body produces when it breaks down THC.⁹

The tiny, trace amounts of THC in hemp-derived CBD products won't get you high, but they can cause a positive drug test. If you want to avoid that, consider using THC-free products, like broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate. 

Benefits of CBD Oil With THC

Of course, if THC-free CBD is effective, you might wonder why anyone would take CBD products with THC. The answer lies with a phenomenon called the entourage effect.

Entourage Effect

Hemp contains hundreds of plant compounds. These include CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids, as well as compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. 

It's thought that these additional compounds, including THC, make CBD more effective than it would be alone. This synergy is the entourage effect.¹⁰

It's worth noting that many of the additional compounds in hemp have their own potential benefits. For example, several terpenes naturally found in hemp have been shown to help with relaxation and sleep.¹¹

THC also has various potential health benefits. It's used to help with sleep, pain, nausea, and many other things.¹²

CBD Products Without THC

When it comes to choosing THC-free CBD, there are two general options. If you want your product to contain other potentially beneficial compounds, like cannabinoids and terpenes, you should choose a broad-spectrum CBD product. Otherwise, consider CBD isolate. 

In both cases, quality is vital. Research has found that low-quality CBD products can have different dosages than advertised and may even contain toxic contaminants. 

To ensure you're getting a high-quality product, look for a manufacturer that submits its products for third-party lab testing. Clean Remedies sends all of its CBD products to an independent lab. You can check the certificate of analysis from these tests by scanning the QR code on your product.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

With broad-spectrum CBD oil, you're getting the full range of compounds naturally found in hemp, just without THC. Our Broad-Spectrum CBD Tincture contains 40mg of hemp extract per serving, to help support calm, focus, and overall wellness. It's vegan, gluten-free, and all-natural. 

You can take CBD oils straight from the dropper. Another option is mixing them into a drink. Some people even use CBD oil to make their own CBD-infused edibles.

If that sounds good, consider grabbing some professionally made broad-spectrum CBD edibles. Our Relax & Calm Gummies each contain 10mg of organic broad-spectrum hemp extract, with a delicious natural cherry flavor. They help provide a gentle sense of restoration and balance.

"It's important that we take time to realize when we're stressed," says Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "I love our Relax & Calm CBD Gummies, especially during the day when I still need to be alert and able to perform at work or at home with my kids."

Alternatively, our Energy & Focus Gummies blend that same organic hemp extract with caffeine, vitamin B-12, and L-Theanine for a smooth, reliable boost. 

CBD Isolate

Purity is particularly important if you want isolated CBD. We offer a 99%+ Pure CBD Isolate Powder, which is pure crystalline CBD. You can mix it into a morning drink, use it in your favorite recipe, or add it to your daily supplement routine. 

Each container includes 2,000mg of pure CBD. If that's not enough, consider our CBD Isolate Powder Bundle. You buy three packs and get the fourth free. 

Conclusion

THC has many potential benefits. When present in trace amounts, as in full-spectrum oils, it's thought to help boost the efficacy of CBD. If you want to enjoy the full psychoactive potential of THC, you can enjoy a Delta 9 THC Chocolate Bar for a sweet treat with mind-altering effects.

Research suggests that THC-free CBD oil may be as effective as CBD oil with THC. That's especially true for broad-spectrum CBD oil, which contains the many other compounds naturally produced by hemp plants. These compounds have their own potential benefits, and are also thought to help boost the efficacy of CBD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does CBD Without THC Do To You?

CBD does not have psychoactive effects, so it won't get you high like THC does. But CBD is prized for its ability to deliver a calming, relaxing effect. It's widely used to help with stress, sleep, and overall wellness.

Can I Drive if I Eat CBD With No THC?

Yes. Most people will be able to drive after taking a recommended dose of CBD, because it's not considered intoxicating. That might not be true if you take too much CBD, so make sure to stick with the recommended dose provided on your product. 

What Does CBD Feel Like Without THC?

CBD affects people in different ways. Its effects may vary based on a number of factors, including age, weight, metabolism, dose, and tolerance. However, it is not a psychoactive compound, so it will not get you high like THC. 

In general, people often find CBD to have a relaxing, soothing effect. That's why it's widely used to help with sleep and stress. 

Keep Reading: Can CBD Get You High? How CBD Affects the Brain

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Sources

1. History of cannabis - Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics
2. Research shows that, genetically, high-CBD “hemp” plants are mostly marijuana | University of Minnesota
3. CBD Statistics, Data And Use In – Forbes Health , Patterns of cannabidiol use among marijuana users in the United States - PMC
4. Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems - PMC
5. The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious - Harvard Health
6. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
7. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series - PMC , Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity
8. The Safety and Effectiveness of Commercially Available Cannabidiol Products for Health and Well-Being: A Randomized, Multi-Arm, Open-Label Waitlist-Controlled Trial | Integrative Medicine Reports
9. Does CBD show up on a drug test?
10. What is the entourage effect and is it beneficial?
11. The Entourage Effect in Cannabis Medicinal Products: A Comprehensive Review - PMC
12. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Review of Current and Future Applications - PMC

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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.