Conclusion first: CBD will not get you high; it is THC that has psychoactive effects. Why does this difference exist? From the perspective of neuropharmacology and molecular biology, let us unveil the mystery.
1. Core: Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The ECS is a vital regulatory system in the human body, responsible for maintaining the body’s homeostasis and affecting functions such as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, pain perception, and immune response.
The core components of ECS include:
- Cannabinoid receptors: These are found throughout the body, particularly in the brain (CB1 receptors) and the immune system (CB2 receptors).
- Endocannabinoids: Substances produced by the body that can bind to these cannabinoid receptors (such as Anandamide and 2-AG).
- Enzymes: responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of endocannabinoids.
Among them, the CB1 receptor is the key to producing the “high” sensation. It is abundantly distributed in the brain and regulates the release of neurotransmitters.
2. Why does THC make you high?
Principle: THC activates the brain’s CB1 receptors, which abnormally enhances reward signaling and distorts sensory processing, leading to psychoactive effects.
1) Molecular simulations: The molecular structure of THC is very similar to that of Anandamide, an endocannabinoid in the human body. This property allows THC to act like a key, inserting directly into and powerfully activating the CB1 receptors in the brain.
2) Overstimulation: When THC activates CB1 receptors in key brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex (decision-making, cognition), hippocampus (memory), nucleus accumbens (reward), and sensory cortex, it triggers a chain reaction:
- Dopamine is released in large quantities: THC significantly increases dopamine levels in the reward area of the brain, producing a strong sense of euphoria and relaxation, which are the core experience of being high.
- Altered sensory perception: THC alters the way sensory information is processed, potentially causing distortions in the perception of time (slowing down or confusion) and enhancing visual, auditory, or taste sensations.
- Cognitive and memory disturbances: THC temporarily disrupts normal thought processes and short-term memory formation.
In simple terms, THC strongly activates CB1 receptors, disrupting the brain’s normal communication system and triggering excessive dopamine release in the reward regions, leading to overstimulation and resulting in psychoactive effects.
3. Why doesn’t CBD make you high?
Principle: CBD doesn’t directly activate CB1 receptors, so it doesn’t produce the effects of THC. In contrast, CBD has an inhibitory effect on THC and modulates ECS function through multiple indirect pathways.
1) Negative Allosteric Modulator: This is the most critical principle. Although CBD can also bind to the CB1 receptor, it binds to another position on the receptor (the allosteric site) rather than the activation site like THC.
- When CBD binds, it changes the shape of the CB1 receptor, making it harder for THC to bind to it.
- Result: CBD reduces THC’s ability to activate CB1 receptors, weakening THC’s psychoactive effects, while CBD itself does not trigger activation.
2) Improve the level of “happiness molecules”: Anandamide, the endocannabinoid mentioned above, is known as the “happiness molecule” because it can bring a natural sense of pleasure and calm. But an enzyme called FAAH quickly breaks it down.
CBD can inhibit the activity of FAAH enzyme, thereby slowing the breakdown of Anandamide.
Result: allowing more natural, feel-good Anandamide to remain in the body for a longer time. This results in anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects, but it is achieved by improving the functioning of your own systems rather than external mental stimulation.
3) Multi-target mechanism of action: In addition to the ECS, CBD interacts with many other receptor systems:
- Activates 5-HT1A serotonin receptors: This is closely related to its anti-nausea and antiemetic properties.
- Activation of TRPV1 receptors: It is commonly referred to as the “capsaicin receptor,” and when activated, it produces a burning and pain sensation. As an agonist of TRPV1, CBD can bind to and “activate” this receptor. Repeated or sustained activation of TRPV1 leads to receptor desensitization, ultimately resulting in analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Indirect effects: It also affects Adenosine (whose main function is to inhibit nerve excitation) through a complex mechanism to achieve a calming and relaxing effect.
In summary, CBD does not act by directly stimulating the brain’s reward pathways. Instead, it promotes the body’s self-regulation by “supporting” and “optimizing” your existing systems, producing effects such as relaxation, pain relief, and anxiety reduction, without causing cognitive disruption or intense euphoria.
4. Q&A
1) Does full-spectrum CBD, which contains THC, cause a high?
Full-spectrum CBD contains a legally allowed THC content of less than 0.3%. For most people, this dose is far below the threshold for producing obvious psychoactive effects, so it will not produce a high.
2) The THC dose threshold for producing a “high” sensation
- For adults who don’t use marijuana regularly, the commonly recognized effective threshold is approximately 2.5 to 5 mg of THC.
- 5-10 mg: Typically produces mild to moderate psychoactive effects, such as euphoria and slight changes in sensory perception.
- More than 10 mg: It is likely to cause anxiety, delusions, distorted sense of time, etc.
3) How much THC does a 30mL bottle of CBD oil contain?
- We selected the most common specification of CBD oil (33.3 mg/mL) for calculation. A 30ml bottle of CBD oil contains 1000mg of total CBD.
- Based on a THC content of 0.3%, the total THC content of this bottle of oil is 3mg.
- This means that even if you take a whole bottle of CBD oil, you’ll only get the starting dose that produces a “high.”
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