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Can Full-Spectrum CBD or CBD Isolate Get You High?

Written by Nick Congleton

For many people, cannabidiol (CBD) is new. It was only legalized in the US nationally in 2018 with the Farm Bill, and ever since, there’s been a lot of information flying around. Some of it is less accurate than other and with all the confusion, most people don’t know what’s true or where to turn for the right information. CBD extracts, like CBD isolate and full spectrum CBD, make matters even more complicated. After years of cannabis prohibition and a lot of misinformation, people have a hard time distinguishing between hemp and medical grade cannabis, along with the nature of the effects that come along with each.

The answers are much simpler than they seem, and the CBD world is nowhere near as scary as you may think.

 

What is Full-Spectrum CBD?

Full-spectrum CBD is a CBD extract. That means that it is produced by extracting hemp constituents with the help of a suitable solvent. CBD, other cannabinoids and terpenes are separated from the plant matrix and this mixture of cannabis compounds constitute a full-spectrum extract.

Full-spectrum CBD is a great product because it preserves much of the natural plant’s profile.
Users of full-spectrum CBD can benefit of the entourage effect, the synergistic action of all the plant constituents of cannabis plant.

 

What is CBD Isolate?

Like full-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate is an extract. Actually, the initial steps in making CBD isolate are identical to making full-spectrum CBD: after the crude extract is produced, it’s distilled further to remove everything but the CBD. CBD isolate is nearly 100% pure CBD.

CBD isolate is used in a whole range of products because it doesn’t have a distinct taste or smell. Even if this product offer a better dosage of CBD, the

 

Can Either Get You High?

No. CBD, in any form, cannot get you high. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while both cannabinoids, are very different and they interact with the body in different ways. CBD, even in concentrated doses, will make you relaxed—tired even—but it won’t have the same kind of psychoactive effects as THC. [2]

Full-spectrum CBD may contain up to 0.3% THC, since it contains all the cannabinoids that the hemp plant did. 0.3% THC is the legal maximum for hemp in the US. However, that amount is not nearly enough to get you high. So, even if you use full-spectrum CBD, you won’t get high.

 

References:

[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/does-cbd-get-you-high#legality

 

[2] Birnbaum A. How High Can Patients Get on CBD? Epilepsy Currents. 2019;19(6):382-384. doi:10.1177/1535759719874408. [Journal impact factor = 9.162] [Times cited = 4]

 

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About the author

Nick Congleton