Key takeaways:
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CBD is a non-intoxicating compound extracted from the hemp plant, a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant
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It has no psychoactive effects, and with consistent use, CBD can promote a sense of calm and a clearer headspace
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CBD is different from THC: THC is responsible for the high associated with using cannabis products; CBD causes no high
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CBD has an effect on the endocannabinoid system, the system the body uses to maintain homeostasis, or balance, and regulate mood, metabolism, appetite, immunity and the sleep-wake cycle
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You may experience the effects of CBD differently from another person, as it may depend on factors such as your individual body chemistry, body weight and dose
What CBD feels like for most people
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 200 compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. But unlike THC-based cannabis products, using CBD products won’t cause a high or an intoxicated feeling.
Instead, with consistent use, many people report a sense of calm after they take CBD. Potential benefits of CBD include:
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A feeling of relaxation
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Reduced tension
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Reduced anxiety
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A clearer headspace
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Reduced pain and inflammation
Common misconceptions about how CBD feels
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound that has no psychoactive effects and has a low potential for abuse or addiction. Taking CBD oil and other CBD products won’t cause a high or impair your ability to work or drive. But because of its association with cannabis, it can be easily confused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC is the compound in cannabis that’s responsible for the high caused by using cannabis products. Unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive and can be addictive.
Cannabidiol (CBD) can be extracted from the cannabis plant or the hemp plant. Essentially, both plants are from the same Cannabis sativa species. However, cannabis, or marijuana, is produced from a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant grown to contain enough THC to cause a high.
CBD is produced from a strain of the same plant, cultivated to contain trace levels of THC, called the hemp plant. The resulting CBD products contain no detectable levels of THC or THC at a concentration of less than 0.2%, which is unlikely to cause a high.
How CBD interacts with the body
CBD is currently the subject of much research. Its full potential is, as yet, not fully understood, nor is the mechanism by which it works in the body. However, scientists think that it works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
The ECS is a network of cells, receptors and signals that runs throughout the body, and was discovered relatively recently, in the 1990s. It plays an important role in homeostasis, the balance and regulation of numerous bodily functions and everyday processes, including:
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Appetite
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Metabolism
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Sleep-wake cycle
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Circadian rhythm (body clock)
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Mood
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Memory
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Immunity
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Pain perception
The ECS has a number of receptors, called CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found primarily in the central nervous system, and CB2 receptors are mostly found in the peripheral nervous system.
The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and is considered the body’s ‘command centre”, receiving, processing and interpreting data.
The peripheral nervous system branches out into the rest of the body and is considered the ‘delivery system’, taking messages from the brain to the muscles.
CBD and the endocannabinoid system
Naturally occurring chemicals called endocannabinoids bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS, signalling that action is needed. For example, to release hormones that manage mood, promote sleep or relieve stress or pain.
Endocannabinoids are released when they’re needed, but they can become depleted if demand is high, such as if we’re experiencing chronic pain or anxiety, and until the body can replenish them, their effect can diminish.
CBD is a type of cannabinoid that’s similar in structure to the endocannabinoids produced by the body. It’s thought that CBD can either interact with the receptors of the ECS in a similar way to endocannabinoids or help to prevent endocannabinoids from being broken down as quickly.
CBD and the limbic system
The limbic system encompasses structures deep within the brain that process and manage emotions, behaviours, reactions, memory and motivation.
Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that support the limbic system, which maintains a delicate balance between keeping emotions stable and providing drive and get-up-and-go.
CBD is thought to have an effect on the serotonin receptors of the limbic system, helping to regulate anxiety and stress responses.
CBD and its influence on the brain
Research into the effects of CBD on the endocannabinoid and limbic systems continues. But scientists think that CBD helps to promote feelings of calm and reduces anxiety and stress by influencing the endocannabinoid and limbic systems. The mechanisms by which it does this are not yet fully understood.
Common ways people feel after taking CBD
With consistent use, it’s reported that CBD can make you feel relaxed and have a clearer headspace.
Relaxation and calm effects
Some people report feeling calm and relaxed after taking CBD, but not in the same, sometimes uncontrolled way, as alcohol might make them feel relaxed. This is thought to be due to CBD's calming effect on the body's natural stress response.
Anxiety and stress response
A 2020 literature review found evidence that CBD may help manage mood disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression.
Further, a review in 2024 found some supporting evidence of the anxiolytic effects (anti-anxiety and stress) of CBD.
Studies also suggest that CBD may help increase the availability of adenosine, a neurotransmitter made by the body that helps promote sleepiness in the evening.
Sleepiness vs alertness
CBD may help improve focus during the day at lower doses and promote sleepiness in the evening at higher doses. How you take CBD will depend on your reason for using it. Take it during the day if your goal is focus, and at night if you’re using it to help you sleep.
Physical sensations
Because of CBD's effects on the natural stress response, you may feel physical stress-relief sensations, such as relaxation of your shoulders, back, and other areas where you hold physical tension and stiffness.
Do different types of CBD have different effects?
There are three main types of CBD: full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
Full spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD is extracted from the hemp plant in such a way that it contains all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids, including compounds called terpenes and flavonoids. It also contains trace levels of THC within the legal limit.
Broad spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is also extracted from the hemp plant, and it contains most of the naturally occurring cannabinoids, including terpenes and flavonoids. However, the THC is removed during processing, although it may still contain trace amounts.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is extracted from the hemp plant and is the purest form of CBD, with no other cannabinoids and zero THC. CBD isolate products usually contain the highest CBD dose.
There’s emerging evidence of a theory called the entourage effect that could affect how CBD works in the body.
Evidence suggests that CBD works synergistically with flavonoids and terpenes to produce a more significant therapeutic effect than CBD alone, the so-called entourage effect. However, the current studies are very small-scale and aren’t considered robust enough to make any solid claims.
If you want to take CBD without any THC, opt for CBD isolate products.
Does CBD get you high?
Unlike THC, which does cause a high, CBD is a non-intoxicating compound that has no psychoactive effects and won't cause a high. CBD is also non-addictive.
Factors that influence the experience
Various factors influence how CBD may make you feel:
Dosage
How much CBD you take, and at what dosage, will affect how it makes you feel. The higher the dose, the greater the effects are likely to be, but it’s recommended that if you’re new to CBD, you start on a low dose.
Product type
CBD is available in a variety of different products, including drinks, gummies and oils. CBD oil is designed to be dripped under the tongue, where it enters the bloodstream immediately.
Ingestible CBD products, including drinks and gummies, need to enter the digestive system before passing into the bloodstream, and therefore tend to have a slower effect.
Individual biology
Your individual body chemistry, body weight and metabolism play a role in how CBD will make you feel.
It’s not possible to truly know how it will affect you until you start taking CBD, but if you have a higher body weight or a faster metabolism than others, you may need to take a higher dose.
How long do effects take to kick in
Everyone is different, but on the whole, CBD oil has a more rapid effect than drinks and gummies. CBD oil may make you feel more relaxed in about 15 to 30 minutes, while drinks and gummies can take from 30 minutes to two hours to promote a sense of calm.
How long do effects last
Although CBD oil works more quickly, the effects last a little less time. Again, it will depend on your body chemistry and metabolism, but the effects of CBD oil typically last around 6-8 hours, while drinks and gummies may last up to 12 hours.
Different CBD products and their effects
How you take CBD is a matter of personal preference. Once you’ve worked out what dose to take, you can experiment with different types of products and see which suits you best.
CBD gummies are easy to dose, and you can take them with you when you’re out and about. CBD drinks are also easy to dose, provide hydration and often contain botanicals and added nutrients such as magnesium.
CBD oil is slightly more difficult to dose, but is easy with a little bit of practice. Some people prefer to use CBD oil before bed to promote sleep, while others prefer to use CBD during the day to help reduce tension and anxiety, and find that CBD gummies suit them best.
Is CBD safe to use?
CBD is generally considered safe and is well-tolerated by most people. A World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2017 concluded,” cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm”. If you’re concerned about side effects or you’re taking any medications, speak to your GP pr another medical specialist.
FAQs
Does CBD feel different the first time?
When you first start using CBD, you may experience heightened awareness and become hypervigilant about how it affects you. For this reason, your first time may feel different to the next time. Always start low, around 10 mg per day.
What does CBD feel like compared to THC?
Unlike THC, which can make you feel intoxicated, CBD may give you a feeling of relaxation and help you manage stress, pain, anxiety and poor sleep.
Why does CBD affect people differently?
Different people react to CBD differently. How CBD affects you will depend on your individual body chemistry, metabolism, body weight, how frequently you use it and the dose you’re taking.
What does a low dose of CBD feel like?
Taking a low dose of CBD may help you feel more relaxed and help you achieve greater mental clarity and focus. If you have pain, anxiety or poor sleep, you may notice relief from your symptoms, without getting a high or feeling any intoxicating effects.
Can CBD make you feel weird or dizzy?
For some people, CBD can cause lightheadedness or dizziness. You can help to prevent this by taking a lower dose of CBD, around 10 mg per day.
Is it normal not to feel anything from CBD?
Some people experience no noticeable effects from taking CBD. However, it might still have a subtle effect, for example, by improving focus or reducing anxiety, without being overly noticeable. If you feel like you’re not benefiting, you can gradually increase your dose to see if you notice any effects.
Studies and research
This 2020 study examines the effects of CBD on the human brain and identifies possible links to its therapeutic effects.
In 2024, another study found that CBD can help patients reduce anxiety and depression, and that further studies are needed to find an optimal dose.
References
Rd, J. K. M. (2026, May 27). The health benefits of CBD — and a look at side effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
Professional, C. C. M. (2026, March 11). Limbic system. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/limbic-system
Ferguson, S. (2025, May 1). How long does it take for CBD gummies to work? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-for-cbd-gummies-to-work
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute 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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