Gummies are a quick and convenient way to get in a daily dose of CBD each day. But do CBD gummies get you high? Many people who are just getting into the realm of CBD may have concerns over whether gummies will cause them to experience psychoactive sensations.
When you have questions about CBD, or cannabidiol, it’s best to begin by researching what it is and what some of its effects are. The next step is to take a deep dive into brands and products so that you can find a top-quality gummy from a trusted brand that will best suit your needs and goals.
What are CBD Gummies?
Gummies are a sweet treat that’s either coated or infused with CBD, precisely pre-dosed, fast and discreet to take, and easy to take with you anywhere. CBD gummies come in a variety of strengths and potencies and can be full-spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
Trusted brands use organic, clean, and natural ingredients when they make their gummies, unlike less reputable brands who try to cut corners by using subpar ingredients and inexpensive extraction methods. These brands typically sell cheap gummies that are potentially packed with harmful chemicals, solvents, and other dangerous additives.
Do CBD Gummies Make You High?
The good news is that it’s completely natural to wonder, “Can you get high from CBD gummies?” Currently, the only type of gummies that are federally legal are those that are derived from hemp. Hemp-based gummies contain 0.3% or less THC, and will not cause anyone to feel “high” while taking them.
Marijuana-derived gummies contain well over that amount of THC, and can cause you to feel “high” after eating them. These types of gummies are only legal in states that have medicinal and/or recreational marijuana laws in effect.
What Causes the “High” Feeling?
When people feel “high” after taking gummies that have large amounts of THC in them, it’s mainly caused by the way that the cannabinoid THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, works with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The cannabis plant is made up of well over 100 different chemical compounds, or terpenes and cannabinoids. THC is one of the main cannabinoids in the plant, and also one that’s responsible for causing psychoactive effects in people.
Because hemp-based gummies contain 0.3% or less THC, there’s no way that anyone can feel “high” when taking them. This, however, is not the case with gummies made from marijuana.
How Does THC Make You Feel?
Taking in large amounts of THC, as you would when you use marijuana-derived CBD products, can cause you to feel a “high” sensation. But what exactly does THC make you feel?
Some of the possible short-term effects that THC can cause are:
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Memory loss
- Slow reaction times
- Poor coordination
Large amounts of THC may also cause you to feel giggly, relaxed, hungry, euphoric, and overly sensitive to various smells, tastes, sounds, sights, and what things feel like through touch.
Types of CBD Gummies
These days, CBD comes in three main varieties: full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. If you want to take advantage of all the good stuff that the hemp plant has to offer, then you’re better off choosing a full-spectrum CBD or broad spectrum CBD product.
Full-spectrum and broad spectrum gummies are similar in that they contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients in the hemp plant. The only difference between them is that all of the THC has been filtered out of broad spectrum gummies. So, if you have concerns about THC, then you can always go with a broad spectrum option.
CBD isolate gummies contain only 99% pure CBD, as all the rest of the hemp plant’s components have been filtered out using a special process.
Along with the varieties of CBD, there are also different types of CBD gummies. For example, you can now buy gummies that have delta 8 or delta 9 THC in them. Since these types of gummies are so new to the hemp-derived CBD space, it’s understandable that consumers have questions. Do delta 9 CBD gummies get you high? Do delta 8 CBD gummies get you high? Let’s read on to find out.
Delta 9 THC is abundant in cannabis, while delta 8 is a less abundant cannabinoid. Because of this, extraction of delta 9 THC is fairly simple and can easily be added to products like CBD gummies. Conversely, delta 8 THC requires a little more effort to extract and make usable in various products.
Brands that make delta 8 gummies can synthesize delta 8 THC from CBD by using different solvents. In order for delta 8 and delta 9 gummies to be federally legal across the United States, they must contain at or below 0.3% THC.
THC in high quantities is known to produce a psychoactive effect. So consuming delta 8 or delta 9 gummies can give you a “high” sensation. However, because everyone’s body is different, people will experience delta 8 or delta 9 gummies in different ways. So, just like with any other CBD product, when taking delta 8 or delta 9 gummies, it’s best to start at a low dose and then increase slowly over time.
CBD Gummies: Potency, Quantity, and Quality
When it comes to CBD gummies, paying attention to the strength, the amount you’re taking, and the caliber of the product can be the difference between getting a top-shelf product that’s clean and effective or buying a low-quality product from a lesser-known brand.
The Potency of the CBD
In order for CBD to be legally bought and sold on the federal level, the products must be hemp-based and must only contain 0.3% or less THC. Anything over that amount is most likely a marijuana-based product. In that case, you would need to check what your state’s laws are regarding medicinal and/or recreational marijuana products.
Hemp-based CBD gummies are sold in many different potencies. Keep in mind that higher potencies of CBD are great if you’re using them with more difficult issues in mind. Low and mid-range potencies can be used as a great way to maintain a sense of more general wellbeing.
Quantity of CBD
When most people think about the quantity of CBD, they naturally assume that to mean the number or amount of gummies that they should be taking. Quantity can also refer to the number of gummies per container. For example, while there are a lot of excellent brands that make top-quality CBD gummies, the number of gummies per container will differ from brand to brand.
So while you’re comparing product prices, you should also look into how many gummies you’re getting per jar. The goal is to find a trusted brand that gives you a good number of high-quality gummies with a potency that works best for your needs. In short, make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. And remember, if a bottle says that it contains 1000mg of CBD, that doesn’t mean that each individual gummy contains that amount. Before buying anything, take some time to look at how many individual servings you’ll be getting with any particular brand.
Product Quality
Product quality matters a lot when it comes to any type of CBD product, not just gummies. Even though per federal law the amount of THC has to be 0.3% or less in hemp-based products, the FDA, or Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these types of products.
Therefore, each brand is responsible for ensuring the quality of its products. While it may feel like you’re saving some money by buying cheaply priced CBD gummies, you may also be getting a product that is laden with dangerous solvents, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals.
Lesser-known brands who sell cheap products tend to cut corners when they make them. This can mean anything from using a low-quality extraction method, to using unregulated hemp, to including additives and other unnecessary chemicals in their products.
Along with not being pure, low quality gummies may also be less potent. This is why it pays to do your research before jumping online and buying the first gummies that you come across.
How to Take CBD Gummies
Each person’s body is unique, so a dose that works best for you may not work that great for someone else. When it comes to figuring out how many gummies you should be taking, the best way to go about things is slowly.
Like we mentioned earlier, with any CBD product, it’s best to start low and then gradually increase your dose slowly over time. Because gummies are pre-dosed, you won’t have to worry so much about tinkering to find the best dose like you would have to with CBD oil. Just increase one gummy at a time.
With gummies, you’ll only need to worry about how many it will take for you to feel like you’ve hit that “sweet spot.” As we stated earlier, you can start with one gummy a day, and then check in with yourself after one week. You can then move up to one gummy twice a day and then see how you feel after one week.
Some people even take gummies three times a day. The most important thing is that you find the dose that works the best for you. And the fact that gummies have a predetermined dose should make things a whole lot easier for you.
Is it Safe to Take CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies are considered safe and generally well-tolerated among a large population of consumers. In general, CBD does have some minor side effects linked to it, which may affect some people.
Some common side effects that people may experience while taking CBD gummies are:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in weight
It is important to mention that if you are taking any medications that have a grapefruit warning, then you may want to either avoid taking CBD or speak with your prescribing physician before starting a CBD regimen.
Certain medications cannot be taken with grapefruit or other types of citrus fruits because it can interfere with the way that the body metabolizes the medicine. This is the same for these types of medications when taken with CBD. Therefore, you should consult with your prescribing physician or primary care doctor just to be safe.
How Many CBD Gummies Should I Take?
As far as quantity goes, you should always start low and then slowly increase over time. For example, begin by taking one CBD gummy a day and then staying with that dose for about a week. At this time, you can keep a journal to log how you’re feeling while on that dose. After a week, you can increase to 2 gummies a day if needed. Stay at the new dose for one week before reassessing how you’re feeling.
Gummies can also be used in combination with other types of products. For example, you can use CBD oil in the morning, then take a gummy midday, and then take another dose of CBD oil before bed. The combinations are fairly endless and you can mix things up in a way that works best for you.
Some Final Thoughts About CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are an excellent way to quickly and conveniently take CBD. Not only can you get them in a host of fun flavors, but they also come in a variety of different strengths and types.
And because only hemp-derived CBD gummies are federally legal across the United States, you can be sure that you will not get “high” from using them due to their low THC content. If, however, you’re looking to try gummies made from marijuana, then you’ll need to see what your state’s medicinal and/or recreational marijuana laws are first.
Finally, when it comes to deciding on a product and brand, research is always your best friend in helping you to avoid low-quality products from brands with a bad reputation. If you still have questions or concerns about CBD gummies, then you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your primary care doctor.
