When it comes to using CBD for the first time, it’s normal to be apprehensive or nervous. CBD is considered to be safe and non-intoxicating. But if you don’t know what to expect, it can make it harder to feel comfortable taking something new.
One of the most common questions we get from new users in our Facebook group is, “how does CBD oil make you feel?”
CBD Affects Each Person Differently
Generally, CBD does not have a prominent signature “feeling” for everyone. Some users report feeling more calm and relaxed. Others tell us that they feel more energized and focused.
Clinical research into the effects of CBD and other cannabis products is still evolving. But what is known is that CBD has different effects on different individuals. This is because we each have a unique endocannabinoid system and different set of health issues that we are trying to address.
It Can Be More About What You No Longer Feel
It’s often easier to think of CBD as what you will no longer feel versus what you will feel. Many users tell us that didn’t feel anything or even know that CBD was working until they realized that they were experiencing less anxiety or pain. It’s also common to hear stories from users that forgot a daily dose and then suddenly felt a recurrence of symptoms.
The use of CBD is all about improving your overall wellness, reducing current symptoms and preventing the recurrence of future issues. Instead of feeling anything, you just feel better.
It May Take Some Time To Feel Relief
It’s rare to feel immediate relief when using CBD for the first time. There are a select few who do experience a reduction in symptoms right away, but there is debate on whether or not this is a placebo effect.
When you take CBD for the first time, it’s normal to feel nothing at all. This leads some new users to think that CBD isn’t working for them. Unlike THC, which has a very profound and prominent effect almost immediately, CBD is much more subtle. The effects of CBD tend to ramp up gradually over time as you use it consistently at your optimal dosage.
What you feel can also depend on the how you’re taking CBD. For example, CBD taken orally using gummies or capsules will not take effect as CBD that is taken sublingually or vaped. A quick and sudden onset is usally more noticeable than something that comes on gradually.
CBD Feels Differently Than THC
THC binds directly to the CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. This binding is largely responsible for THC’s ability to impair your cognitive function. In simple terms, it’s how THC can get you “high.” CBD cannot bind directly in the brain so it cannot get you high.
Some argue that since CBD does have the ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, it should still be considered psychoactive (affecting the mind). Others say that while it is still psychoactive, it would be more accurate to call it non-intoxicating. In any case, the effects of CBD versus THC are very different.
Summary
When it comes to CBD, it’s often more about what you no longer feel than what you do feel. Some users immediately feel more relaxed or uplifted. But it’s more common for the effects of CBD to ramp up over time. The effects that you feel from CBD are highly individualized and also depend on the type of product and dosage.