Wellness bloggers from every corner of the internet are constantly talking about how great CBD makes them feel. But what exactly do they mean by that? Are they overselling the situation? Are they feeling some kind of psychoactive effect?
If you’re interested in trying CBD, it’s only natural that you’d want to know what you’re getting yourself into. Here’s what you can expect to feel when you use CBD.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a cannabinoid. It naturally occurs in cannabis plants, including hemp plants. CBD works with the receptors throughout your body’s endocannabinoid system.
Endocannabinoid receptors exist throughout your brain and body and support many essential processes. When CBD interacts with these receptors, it encourages your endocannabinoid system to do the best possible job of providing broad wellness support.
Does CBD Get You High?
Some people have reservations about using CBD because they’re worried it might get them high. You have no reason to worry — CBD isn’t a psychoactive cannabinoid. It can’t bind to the receptors in your brain and change your perception and senses. You’ll remain completely in control of your faculties when you use CBD.
While hemp-derived CBD is legally allowed to contain a minimal amount of THC, it isn’t enough THC to produce any effects (unless you take large quantities of full-spectrum CBD, which we will get into later).
It’s a lot like small amounts of alcohol in foods. Kombucha naturally contains small amounts of alcohol and won’t get you drunk.
Full-spectrum CBD retains the natural levels of THC and other beneficial plant parts. Even though the THC levels are still low, it can be good to choose another option if you are concerned.
Use broad-spectrum CBD products if you’re still worried about small amounts of THC. Broad-spectrum CBD products have had all detectable levels of THC removed. It might give you peace of mind when consuming CBD products.
How Does CBD Make You Feel?
That’s a very subjective question. It’s like asking someone how going to the beach or playing with a dog makes them feel. Generally, “good” is a true response.
It just doesn’t capture the nuances of the situation. CBD makes most people feel good holistically, but the finer details will vary from person to person.
CBD won’t dramatically alter the way you feel. It’s not a life-changing experience. It’s a lot more like a great nap or a really yummy breakfast. It’s a subtle sense of refreshing comfort that carries you through the day or night.
Most benefits of CBD will fall under two feeling umbrellas: feelings of relaxation and focus.
Relaxation
Many people use CBD when they feel tense or wound up. CBD supports the body’s stress management system. CBD can help you chill out a little bit when you're generally not having a good time.
We all have days where we feel like our whole body is a clenched fist. Think about the tension you feel in your body the day after a hard workout. CBD has naturally soothing abilities that can help ease feelings of discomfort.
CBD can also work to help you get to bed. Isn’t it infinitely easier to fall asleep when you’re relaxed?
Focus
CBD can help to soothe feelings of tension. You probably feel tense when you’re dealing with a huge workload, or you have to tend to a daunting task. CBD can help soothe the tension that’s keeping you from dialing yourself back.
CBD can help with feelings of overwhelm or restlessness that may keep you from focusing on what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you need to get through an important work presentation? Do you have to study for a crucial test? CBD might make it a little easier to do what you need.
What if I Don’t Feel Anything When I Use CBD?
If you already use CBD and you feel like it isn’t working for you, there are a few reasons why that may be. Consider what CBD does, how much CBD you use, and how often you use it. You might need to make some small changes to your routine.
Adjust Your Expectations a Little Bit
CBD doesn’t hit you like a freight train; it’s more like a babbling brook. Since CBD doesn’t change how your brain or body works, it won’t cause you to feel radically different. It’s a subtle support system for your body’s natural ability to find balance.
You can shift your lifestyle and habits to promote how you want to feel. Wellness is more than just a supplement like CBD. It’s a series of decisions you make every day to feel the best you possibly can.
Shift Your Dose
Most adults use about 25 mg of CBD daily for a general wellness kick. A dose of 50 mg per day should suffice for more pronounced benefits and noticeable relief. If you use 25 mg in the morning and 25 mg at night, you’ll be able to sustain the soothing wave throughout the day.
If you’re using much less CBD, that might explain why you feel like CBD isn’t working the way you expect. Try taking a little more and see how you feel.
Be Consistent
CBD will start to work anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after you take it, depending on the form of CBD you use. CBD will work even better if you’ve been using it consistently.
Using CBD once won’t make a meaningful difference in how you feel. Try using it daily for at least a month. Over time, you might notice that the benefits become more pronounced.
Maximizing the Benefits of Your CBD
CBD can support your body, but it won’t outrun your choices. CBD won’t help you feel relaxed if you take it and immediately jump on a rollercoaster. It won’t help you go to bed if you use it and then drink a four-shot latte. It won’t help your body recover from a workout if you don’t drink any water and skip your protein.
CBD is one of many things that support your mood and body. You can be the most important driving force in that process. CBD can help, but set yourself up for success.
Treat Your Body Well
If you use CBD to support workout recovery, ensure you’re doing everything else you need to do to allow your body to recover from a workout. Your body needs more from you when you’re pushing yourself to reach new athletic goals.
It needs plenty of water, electrolyte minerals, lean protein, and plenty of rest. Add CBD to your post-workout protein shake and take an hour or two to chill out. You’ve earned it.
Give Yourself Time To Relax
CBD won’t force you to relax. It can make it easier to relax when consciously trying to wind down. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, move yourself to a calm environment.
Step away from whatever is causing you feelings of stress. Unless it’s an urgent emergency, it will still be there later. You can pick it back up when you have a clearer mind.
Occupy yourself with something gentle, like a good book, a journaling session, meditation, or some yoga. You should always make time for relaxing self-care activities. CBD can give you a nudge in the right direction.
Set Yourself Up for a Good Night’s Sleep
You can use CBD at night if you need more support at bedtime. You should also use other practices to support better sleep.
Cutting out caffeine before the sun goes down can help. If you drink tea at night, stick to naturally caffeine-free herbal varieties.
Putting your screens away can also help. Your smartphone, tablets, laptops, TV — essentially every screen in your home — emits blue light. Blue light can confuse your body’s internal clock.
It may perceive blue light as daylight and think it isn’t time to enter sleep mode. If you give yourself a screen-free hour or two, your body may begin to wind down for the night.
Feeling Relieved with Pure Relief
Pure Relief’s CBD gummies contain 25 mg of CBD per piece. Our Daytime gummies contain ingredients like green tea extract and ginkgo to support energy levels throughout the day. Our Nighttime gummies contain ingredients like chamomile and melatonin to support good sleep. Choosing the right gummy for the occasion can support you daily.
Sources:
The endocannabinoid system: an overview | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
State Industrial Hemp Statutes | National Conference of State Legislatures
The inner clock—Blue light sets the human rhythm | National Library of Medicine