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What Does CBD Feel Like?
Key Takeaways
- CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning that CBD won’t make you feel “high” or intoxicated.
- CBD will feel different based on how you use it.
- Most users report feeling more relaxed, less stressed, and find it easier to get to bed after using Sunset Lake products.
Table Of Contents
If you’ve ever called Sunset Lake’s office number, you may have spoken to me (T.J.) or our awesome customer service manager, Rev. We enjoy taking your calls and answering your questions. One that we get from folks interested in CBD but who have never tried it is: “What does CBD feel like?”
It’s a great question, so we thought we’d write a blog post about it. Because the FDA explicitly disallows farms and vendors from making health claims about CBD products, most companies (Sunset Lake included) have to make vague statements about how CBD may do this or may help with that. In this post, we’ll keep it non-medical and try our best to explain what CBD feels like when it “kicks in.”
First, CBD Will Not Make You Intoxicated
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the more than 100 chemical compounds (called cannabinoids) produced by the cannabis plant. While there are traces of CBD in what we call “marijuana” (cannabis that produces the psychoactive cannabinoid THC), CBD is more commonly found in hemp plants.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and will not get you “high.” This lack of intoxication has led the World Health Organization to state that “[i]n humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…”1
CBD won’t make you “high,” and it can’t lead to dependency in users, so what does CBD feel like?
What Does CBD Do?
While we’re still many peer-reviewed studies away from understanding how CBD interacts with your body, we know that unlike its psychoactive counterpart, THC, CBD doesn’t bind well with the body’s endocannabinoid system’s (ECS) CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Instead, researchers believe CBD influences the CB1 and CB2 receptors in other ways, such as increasing the uptake of beneficial molecules and inhibiting the uptake of other less desirable molecules.2 Essentially, we believe that CBD acts as a facilitator that helps your entire endocannabinoid system run more efficiently.
Why Is The ECS Important?
The endocannabinoid system is an intricate cell-signaling system that influences a lot of bodily functions and systems like:
- Pain Sensations
- Mood Regulation
- Appetite and Digestion
- Immune and Inflammation Response
- Memory and Learning
- Motor Control
- Reproductive Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Stress Response
- Skin Health
What Does CBD Feel Like?
Unlike some all-natural homeopathic remedies, you will feel CBD when it kicks in. How fast the onset is and the magnitude of the effect will depend on your ingestion method.
What Does Smoking CBD Feel Like?
Smoking CBD-rich hemp flower will make you feel the effects of CBD almost instantly. When you smoke CBD flower, you vaporize the cannabinoids, which then enter your bloodstream rapidly.
Because CBD flower is generally full-spectrum, you’ll also feel the effects of other cannabinoids along with your CBD. Many people who smoke say that it helps them calm down, relax, or focus on a task. The effects of smokable CBD vary quite a bit based on the terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
Here’s what Joel had to say about our Candy Kush Hemp Flower:
“Sometimes I get a nice little buzz from CBD flower from the small amounts of THCa, but I didn’t get much buzz from this one. Maybe a little, but it wasn’t very noticeable. I did get a very chill feeling though that went along with their advertised vibe of “snacks and movies”. I didn’t want to let them down so I had some Oreos and watched The Burbs and it was a very relaxing evening. The biggest noticeable effect, in my opinion, was a sense of calm and well-being that lasted about an hour or more. It was very nice after a stressful day and made the evening much more enjoyable.”
What Does Vaping CBD Feel Like?
Vaping CBD-rich hemp flower is going to feel a lot like smoking, with some minor differences. Where smoking CBD may make you feel slightly heavier, especially in the lungs and throat, vaping should feel lighter.
Many users report feeling more energetic, more focus, and some relief from pain when vaping CBD.
Here’s what John had to say about our Sour Suver Hemp Flower:
“This stuff is a great muscle relaxer and pain reliever for me. Chills me out but doesn’t sap my energy either and improves my mental clarity. Great for my inflammation as well. The effects are instantly noticed. Smells nice and terpy and lasts forever in a vape. Huge vape clouds from this one, the biggest yet!”
What Does Taking CBD Oil Feel Like?
When you take CBD oil sublingually, meaning under the tongue, you should feel the effects 15-45 minutes later. If you add CBD oil to your food instead, that onset will extend to an hour.
Because CBD oil enters your bloodstream differently than inhaled CBD, it will feel slightly different. Most users report that CBD oil is great at helping them manage pain, feel less tension, and get rid of stress. CBD oil has noticeably fewer terpenes than flower does, meaning that your experience with oil should be more consistent over time.
Here’s what Jill says about our 1,500mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture:
“I’m no expert on CBD effects, but I’m noticeably calmer and feel less tension and body aches generally since I started with Sunset Lake products.”
What Do CBD Edibles Feel Like?
Using CBD edibles has some great benefits as long as you have the time to allow them to work. Taking CBD edibles will take longer to kick in than any of the other ingestion methods on this list, around 45 minutes to two hours.
That said, using CBD edibles generally makes users feel more at ease, less tense, and more sleepy than other methods.
Here’s what Ariel said about our CBD Gummies:
“I was blown away by the amazing relief provided by Sunset Lake CBD gummy bears! As someone who’s struggled with occasional anxiety, these tasty treats have been a game-changer. The subtle hint of fruit flavors is a bonus – it makes taking my daily dose feel like a treat rather than a chore. But what really impresses me is the noticeable difference in how I feel after consuming them: reduced stress and tension, improved sleep quality, and a general sense of calmness. I’ve tried other CBD products before, but these gummy bears stand out for their potency, consistency, and delicious taste. If you’re looking for a reliable way to support your well-being, look no further than Sunset Lake CBD gummy bears – highly recommended!”
What Do CBD Drinks Feel Like?
CBD drinks will feel a lot like CBD edibles but with a faster onset window. You’re still digesting the CBD the same way, but because the CBD is emulsified into a liquid, it will reach your bloodstream much quicker.
Sunset Lake CBD doesn’t currently carry any pre-made CBD-infused drinks. We do, however, carry whole-bean CBD-infused coffee. Unlike other CBD drinks, our coffee will also make you feel more alert, but that’s because of the caffeine, not the CBD content.
What Do CBD Topicals Feel Like?
Using topical CBD is a distinctly different experience than ingesting CBD. When you apply CBD rubs or lotions, you should feel effects localized in the application area.
Topical CBD doesn’t enter your bloodstream and won’t make you feel sleepy, less stressed, or any other mood. Instead, users say that topical CBD makes them feel less stiff, less skin irritation, and more mobile.
Here’s what Anthony said about our CBD Salve:
“You know … getting older, having more aches and pains, especially in those shoulders and knees. Maybe benign, or if you are like me, life/work altering. Finding Sunset Lake CBD has changed my life dramatically, especially using it as part of my therapy stretches and exercises. I noticed more mobility and ease of movement immediately. Thank you for this wonderful salve!”
FAQs
What Does A CBD “High” Feel Like?
We’ve gotten this one a few times, usually regarding our hemp flower products. A CBD “high” really isn’t a thing. If you feel any psychoactive effects after using full-spectrum products, you’re likely feeling the effects of the small amounts of THC present.
How Long Will CBD Make Me Feel Like This?
Another good question. Expect CBD’s effects to last anywhere from an hour to six hours, depending on your method of ingestion and dose taken. Generally speaking, inhaling CBD will lead to shorter effects. Eating or drinking CBD-infused products will cause longer-lasting effects.
What Does XXmg of CBD Feel Like?
Another question we often get from folks who are usually looking at our CBD tinctures is, “What will this amount of CBD feel like vs. that amount?”
It’s hard for us to tell anyone what a specific dose of CBD will feel like because your ideal dose will be unique to you.
However, we can share some rules of thumb:
- 10mg is a small dose for people, but you should feel more at ease at this level.
- 25mg is our standard dose. We tell folks who are new to CBD to start here. You can expect to feel looser, more relaxed, and maybe even sleepy here.
- 50mg is a strong dose. We recommend it to experienced users. You should feel sleepy, centered, and relieved.
- 100mg is a strong dose. On 100mg of CBD, you should feel everything you’d feel at 50mg, just more accentuated.
What Does Too Much CBD Feel Like?
It is possible to overdo CBD, just like it’s possible to overdo anything. That said, taking too much CBD isn’t the end of the world. Picture CBD’s potency as a bell curve.4 Eventually, as you take more CBD, the effect additional CBD will have on you diminishes.
Taking too much CBD will also increase the chance that you’ll experience negative side effects, like:
- Dry-mouth
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
If you experience one of the above negative side effects, take a break, wait, and let your body flush out the excess CBD.5
Wrapup: What Does CBD Feel Like?
CBD will feel differently from person to person, situation to situation, and product to product. The best way to determine what a specific product might do for you is by conducting your own research. Read other user reviews. Be sure to check out the product’s certificate of analysis to figure out exactly what you’ll be taking.
Also, if you’re wondering whether or not you should take the plunge and give CBD a try, be sure to first check in with a health professional. You’ll want to make sure that consuming CBD isn’t going to interfere with your prescription medications. When you get the all-clear, be sure to check out Sunset Lake’s lineup of farm-direct CBD products.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on August 16, 2021, and updated by the author on August 8, 2024.
Sources
- “CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Pre-Review Report.” Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, World Health Organization 10 Nov. 2017
- Bakas, T. et al. “The direct actions of cannabidiol and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol at GABAA receptors.” Pharmacological research vol. 119 (2017): 358-370. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.02.022
- Crean, Rebecca D et al. “An evidence-based review of acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on executive cognitive functions.” Journal of Addiction Medicine vol. 5,1 (2011): 1-8. doi:10.1097/ADM.0b013e31820c23fa
- Linares, Ila M et al. “Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test.” Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999) vol. 41,1 (2019): 9-14. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015
- Bauer, Brent “What are the benefits of CBD— and is it safe to use?” MayoClinic.org, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 18 Dec. 2020 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700