By now, you’ve likely come across CBD at some point – and while it sounds interesting, perhaps you’re still not sure about what to expect in terms of how it will make you feel. Maybe you’re worried about feeling strange, or maybe you’re not sure about its safety or even how it works. With all the new information about CBD coming out since its federal legalization in 2018, it’s become more confusing to understand exactly what the experience of using it might be like for you.
In this post, we’ll break it all down, diving into what taking CBD means in terms of wellness, what to expect after trying it, and how to make sure it’s actually working. Read on!
What Does CBD Do?
The most frequent question first-time CBD users typically have is: Will it get me high? The straightforward answer is: No! Although CBD is often confused with its “sister” cannabinoid THC (the chemical in cannabis that does have psychoactive effects, which make you feel “high”), CBD has absolutely no psychoactive effects of its own. One of the effects that studies on CBD consistently reveal is that CBD gives its users a sense of mental clarity and calmer thinking.
According to studies published by Healthline, CBD oil can help people when they feel nervous or jittery as well as help those who feel blue or down, both in the long and shorter term. People also frequently turn to CBD as a natural alternative to help with physical pain or sleepless nights. It’s widely understood that all of these effects take place through CBD’s interaction with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which helps keep things in balance (and, therefore, helps you feel your best).
What Does CBD Feel Like?
As we mentioned above, people who have taken CBD report the most common effect is an increased sense of calm, ease, and relaxation. WebMD notes that CBD’s calming effects are likely a result of the fact that, “cannabidiol seems to prevent the breakdown of a chemical in the brain that affects pain, mood, and mental function.” By preventing this breakdown, it is thought that CBD can help decrease perceptions of pain, increase mood, and boost overall mental function. Taking CBD is a bit like meditating – it can promote a sense of calm and reduce feelings of unease.
Furthermore, CBD has properties that can significantly help relieve physical pain. This is due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. As explained in a recent study, CBD has been found to have neuroprotective qualities that can help with inflammation by preserving the structure and function of your neurons so they can continue firing as they should. So if you’re looking to take CBD to help ease soreness, many kinds of topical balms and creams are available to apply directly to those areas that are aching and burning.
How Long Does It Take CBD Oil to Work?
If you’ve never tried CBD before, it might take a few times to feel its full effects before you figure out the amount and delivery mode that works best for you. A few factors are at play here: mainly your metabolism, weight, and your body’s ability to recognize CBD in your system and to allow it to work. In more formal terms, this process is called bioaccumulation. Essentially, it may take your body some time to build a response to the cannabinoid, sometimes up to a few weeks. However, some products are specially formulated to give you a more instantaneous effect: for example, the B GREAT Relax Shot is formulated with melatonin to help you get a better night’s sleep starting from the first time you take it.
Anecdotal evidence suggests the benefit of taking CBD continuously over time is that your body will become more responsive to its effects, so you can actually feel it for a longer time. Instead of taking CBD simply to address soreness for about 4 to 6 hours, you may experience relief all day.
The way in which you take CBD matters as well: studies show that ingesting CBD might take a bit longer for you to start to feel calmer or less tense (about one to two hours). On the other hand, if you take CBD oil via a tincture that you use to drop oil under your tongue, for example, your body skips the initial metabolization process and the CBD can enter the bloodstream more quickly.
If you’re ready to start your CBD journey, begin by thinking about what you’re looking for CBD to address, and choose a well-tested product that’s formulated to target your desired areas. Make sure that any products you purchase are transparent about their third-party lab testing and provide you with a COA (Certificate of Analysis) that shows exactly what is in the product. Then, pay attention to how you feel as you incorporate CBD into your routine, and adjust from there.
Ready to B GREAT? Check out our line of products — which uses 100-percent full-spectrum hemp to help soothe tense muscles, calm your mind after a long day, hydrate your skin, and more. And if you want to find answers to other common CBD questions (like whether or not it will show up on a drug test), by checking out the article 6 of Your Most Common CBD Questions, Answered.
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."