Key takeaways:
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CBD is a type of cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant.
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Unlike cannabis, it doesn’t cause a high and is non-addictive.
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Reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest that CBD is safe for regular use.
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The sale of CBD is tightly regulated to ensure it’s safe to use and is unlikely to show up on a drug test.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, has a range of potential benefits. Studies suggest it can promote feelings of calm and relaxation, help manage stress, anxiety and chronic pain and support better sleep. It works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant bred to contain low levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the component of cannabis responsible for causing the high associated with using cannabis products. CBD products contain either zero THC or very low or trace levels, and as a result, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) deems CBD a Novel Food, and as such, all CBD products on sale in the UK are governed by the FSA’s Novel Foods regulations. CBD cannot contain more than 1mg of THC in an entire container, levels that are too low to cause a high. Therefore, buying CBD products from a reputable brand means you don’t need to be concerned that you’ll experience any psychoactive effects.
Does CBD make you high?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that won’t get you high. It’s different to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is responsible for the high caused by using cannabis products. CBD reacts differently in the brain than THC; THC will get you high, CBD won’t.
What does CBD feel like?
Different people experience CBD in different ways. How CBD makes you feel will depend on factors such as your individual body chemistry, body weight and metabolism.
Many people experience feelings of calm and relaxation, and some report increased focus and concentration. Studies also suggest that CBD may help manage the symptoms of anxiety and chronic pain and support better sleep quality and duration.
Why do people think CBD gets you high?
CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant. It’s the same species of plant used to make cannabis products, just bred as a different strain. Because of this association, some people think that CBD has the same intoxicating effects as THC and cannabis, but it doesn’t.
Hemp plants are bred to contain very low or trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the compound in cannabis that’s responsible for its psychoactive effects. CBD products made from low THC hemp plants don’t contain enough THC to cause a high.
CBD vs THC: what is the difference?
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids. There are more than 200 different cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants, and despite CBD and THC coming from the same family of plants, they’re very different. CBD is non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive and isn’t addictive. THC does have intoxicating and psychoactive effects, and can be addictive.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors that runs from the brain to the rest of the body. It’s responsible for regulating the body (homeostasis) and helps manage everything from mood and sleep patterns to appetite and immunity. However, CBD affects the brain very differently from THC.
How THC affects the brain
THC binds to receptors of the ECS called CB1 receptors, causing the high associated with using cannabis by influencing the release of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters.
How CBD affects the brain
CBD also interacts with the CB1 receptors of the ECS (as well as others called CB2 receptors), but in a different way. The exact mechanism is still being studied, but it’s thought that CBD helps prevent the breakdown of the hormones and neurotransmitters naturally released by the ECS (called endocannabinoids). This helps regulate mood, pain perception, sleep patterns and appetite.
Is CBD psychoactive?
No, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive in the sense that it will get you high. It may cause you to feel more relaxed and calm and may help you manage anxiety, chronic pain and sleep problems. But it doesn’t have any mind-altering properties that will make you feel high or ‘stoned’.
Is CBD intoxicating?
No, CBD is non-intoxicating, won't cause euphoria or alter your state of mind to the point it affects your motor skills or causes you to take risks or make ill-judged decisions.
Can CBD make you high if it contains THC?
CBD won’t make you high, even if it contains THC. In the UK, CBD products can contain THC, but at very low or trace levels, which are too low to have a psychoactive effect.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate
There are three types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate, and not all of them contain THC.
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Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, including low levels of THC. It also contains flavonoids (antioxidant plant chemicals that give plants their colour) and terpenes (anti-inflammatory essential oils that give plants their fragrance).
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Broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the compounds found in the hemp plant, including flavonoids and terpenes, with the THC removed.
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CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and contains no other compounds, and has zero THC.
Is CBD legal in the UK?
CBD is legal in the UK, as long as it meets the criteria set out in two separate rules.
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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) deems CBD to be a Novel Food and, as such, products must be listed on their Novel Foods register for legal sale in England and Wales.
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Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, pure CBD is not a controlled substance. But because some CBD products contain trace amounts of THC and because THC is a controlled substance, the finished product has to meet the exempt product definition in the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. The Home Office states that CBD must contain no more than 1mg of controlled cannabinoids (such as THC) per container of product.
How much THC is allowed in UK CBD products?
In the UK, CBD products can be legally sold if the finished product contains no more than 1mg THC per container. For example, CBD oil cannot contain more than the legal limit of 1mg of THC in the entire bottle to meet the Novel Foods regulations.
Can CBD show up on a drug test?
CBD won’t show up on a drug test, as these tests are designed to detect THC from cannabis, rather than CBD. However, regular use of full-spectrum CBD may cause low levels of THC to slowly build up in your system.
This means there’s a small chance THC might accumulate enough to reach detectable levels on a drug test. This is the case even when using a UK legal CBD product that contains 1mg or less THC per container.
How to choose a CBD product that will not get you high
CBD is non-intoxicating and won’t get you high. But full-spectrum CBD products still contain THC, albeit at trace levels. If you wish to avoid having any THC in your system, opt for products made with pure CBD isolate, such as Goodrays CBD oil, gummies and drinks.
Always choose to buy CBD from reputable brands that have their products third-party lab-tested for purity and can provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) on their website.
Possible side effects of CBD
A World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2017 states, “in its pure state, cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm”. It’s considered generally safe for most people.
However, CBD can cause side effects in some people, including dizziness, dry mouth, decreased appetite and diarrhoea. If you do experience these, they’re likely to be mild, and they can be minimised by taking a low dose of 10mg per day.
CBD, medications and alcohol
If you’re taking any medications, check with your doctor before using CBD. CBD can interact with some medications, including some antidepressants, sedatives, blood thinners, statins and blood pressure drugs.
It may also interfere with anti-seizure drugs. (Epidiolex is a prescription medication containing highly purified CBD licensed to manage certain types of drug-resistant seizures, and shouldn’t be confused with non-prescription CBD products.)
CBD can be used at the same time as alcohol, but it’s best to keep it in moderation. High doses of CBD mixed with large volumes of alcohol can cause a sleepy, sedative effect. If you intend to mix the two, take a lower dose of CBD and drink in moderation to judge how you feel.
More information
This 2024 study looks into the effects of CBD on the brain and its potential benefits for mental health and chronic pain disorders. While the potential of CBD is broad, it suggests that more research is needed to fully understand it.
Healthline is a valuable source of information on the benefits of CBD and how it might make you feel.
FAQs
Can you overdose on CBD or take too much?
There are no reports of CBD overdose, but some people report side effects including dizziness, drowsiness, diarrhoea and a dry mouth when taking relatively high doses. You can avoid these side effects by starting on a low dose of 10mg per day.
Does CBD oil make you high?
CBD oil and other products either contain zero THC or very low, trace amounts of THC and therefore won’t cause a high.
Do CBD gummies get you high?
CBD gummies won’t get you high as they don’t contain enough THC to cause any psychoactive effects.
Will CBD make me feel sleepy or drowsy?
CBD works differently for different people. Some people report that at a low dose, it helps improve focus, while others report feeling relaxed and improved sleep.
If you’re using CBD to help you sleep, it’s best to take it in the evening. If you’re using CBD to help you manage anxiety or chronic pain, you may benefit more by taking it in the morning to support you throughout the day. Start on a low dose of 10mg per day and monitor how you feel.
Can I drive after taking CBD?
Yes, you can drive after taking CBD. If you’re concerned about the low THC levels in full-spectrum CBD products, choose CBD isolate products that are completely free of THC.
References
Holland, K. (2019, August 23). Can You Get High from CBD or CBD Oil? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/does-cbd-get-you-high
Holland, K. (2026b, February 11). CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc
Rowden, A. (2022, November 22). Is it possible for a person to take too much CBD? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-you-take-too-much-cbd#maximum-dose
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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