Does CBD Oil Get You High? What Science Says
Pure CBD is not intoxicating. Here is why some CBD products still cause a high: hidden THC, mislabeling, full spectrum and delta-8.
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- Nov 2026
No. Pure CBD oil does not get you high. Products can cause a high if they contain THC, are mislabeled, or are actually delta-8 THC products.
No, pure CBD oil does not get you high. CBD (cannabidiol) is not intoxicating: the World Health Organization found it has no psychoactive properties of the kind that lead to abuse, and in a controlled study oral CBD felt no different from a placebo. A CBD product can still cause a high, though, if it contains THC, is mislabeled, or is actually a delta-8 THC product.
- THC, not CBD, is the compound behind the marijuana “high.” Pure CBD does not cause intoxication or impair thinking in controlled studies.
- In a 2017 JAMA study, THC was found in 18 of 84 CBD products bought online (21%).
- Full-spectrum products contain small amounts of THC, so how much you take matters.
- Delta-8 THC is often sold next to CBD and is made from it, but the FDA says it is intoxicating.
- Vaped CBD can produce noticeable effects, but in a lab study it did not impair thinking or coordination.
Why doesn’t CBD get you high?
Cannabis makes many compounds called cannabinoids. Two get most of the attention: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says THC is primarily responsible for marijuana’s effects on a person’s mental state.
CBD acts differently in the body. The prescribing label for Epidiolex, the FDA-approved purified CBD medicine, notes that CBD does not appear to act through the cannabinoid receptors THC uses, and that it did not produce THC-like behavior in animal studies. New to the topic? Start with what is CBD?
What does the research show?
Several lines of evidence point the same way:
- WHO review: In 2018, the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence recommended that pure CBD not be placed under international control, saying it “was not found to have psychoactive properties” and “presents no potential for abuse or dependence.”
- Human abuse study: The Epidiolex label reports that CBD doses up to 4,500 mg produced positive mood ratings within the range of placebo, while dronabinol (synthetic THC) and alprazolam produced much larger increases. Epidiolex is not a controlled substance.
- Controlled lab study: In a 2020 double-blind study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 18 healthy adults took 100 mg of oral CBD, 100 mg of vaped CBD, vaped CBD-rich cannabis, or a placebo. Oral CBD felt no different from placebo, and no condition impaired thinking or coordination.
CBD is not without effects. The FDA lists drowsiness as a common one, along with diarrhea and mood changes such as irritability. Feeling sleepy is not the same as being high. See does CBD make you tired?
So why do some CBD products make people feel high?
The usual reason is THC. It can get into a product in three main ways.
1. Mislabeling and hidden THC
A 2017 study in JAMA by Bonn-Miller and colleagues tested 84 CBD products from 31 companies sold online. Only about 31% were accurately labeled for CBD (within 10% of the stated amount). About 43% contained more CBD than claimed and 26% contained less. THC was detected in 18 products, at up to 6.43 mg/mL.
The problem has not gone away. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology of 202 products found 74% were off from their CBD label by more than 10%, and three products sold as “broad spectrum” (meant to be THC-free) contained THC.
2. Full-spectrum products
Full-spectrum extracts keep the plant’s other cannabinoids, including small amounts of THC. Whether that is enough to notice depends on how much THC is in each serving and how much you take, which is why the lab report matters. Even amounts too small to feel can matter for drug tests.
3. Products that are not really CBD
Some products sold in CBD shops contain other cannabinoids that are intoxicating. The most common is delta-8 THC, covered below.
| Product | Can it cause a high? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CBD isolate (accurately labeled) | No | More than 95% CBD, no THC |
| Broad spectrum (accurately labeled) | No | THC removed |
| Full spectrum | Unlikely at typical servings, but possible | Contains small amounts of THC |
| Mislabeled CBD product | Possible | May contain undisclosed THC |
| Delta-8 THC product | Yes | Intoxicating, similar to delta-9 THC |
What about delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid found only in small amounts in cannabis, so the FDA explains that it is usually made by chemically converting hemp-derived CBD. It is often sold in the same stores and online shops as CBD, which causes confusion.
The FDA says delta-8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating effects similar to delta-9 THC, and that these products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use in any context. Between December 2020 and February 2022, the FDA received 104 adverse event reports involving delta-8 products, and poison control centers handled 2,362 exposure cases between January 2021 and February 2022, about 41% involving people under 18.
Important: Keep all cannabis and CBD products, especially edibles, away from children. If you feel high after using a CBD product, do not drive, stop using it, and check its lab report. If someone has severe symptoms, contact Poison Control or call 911.
Does vaping CBD feel different?
Yes, it can. In the 2020 Drug and Alcohol Dependence study, vaped CBD raised ratings like “Like Drug Effect” and “Pleasant Drug Effect” compared with placebo, while oral CBD did not. Vaped CBD-rich cannabis (100 mg CBD plus 3.7 mg THC) produced stronger effects and raised heart rate, which the authors attributed mainly to its THC. Even so, none of the conditions impaired thinking or coordination.
Vapes also carry quality risks. In the 2017 JAMA study, vape liquids were the most often mislabeled product type: only 3 of 24 were accurate. The CDC linked the 2019 outbreak of vaping lung injuries (EVALI) mainly to vitamin E acetate in THC-containing vaping products, especially those from informal sources, and recommends against using THC-containing vapes.
How can you avoid an unexpected high?
- Read the product type. Isolate and broad spectrum are meant to be THC-free; full spectrum is not. Learn more in what is CBD isolate?
- Check for delta-8 or other THC. Read ingredient lists for “delta-8” or any other form of THC.
- Get the lab report. Ask for a batch-specific certificate of analysis (COA) and confirm THC is listed and matches the label.
- Start low. Use our CBD dosage calculator to see how many milligrams are in each serving.
- Skip unverified vapes. Avoid vape cartridges from informal sources.
Tip: If you are drug tested, “doesn’t get you high” and “won’t fail a test” are not the same thing. Small amounts of THC may not cause effects but can still show up. See does CBD show up on a drug test?
Frequently asked questions
Can CBD make you feel relaxed or sleepy?
Some people feel drowsy. The FDA lists sleepiness as a common side effect, and warns that combining CBD with alcohol or sedating medicines raises the risk.
Is it safe to drive after taking CBD?
Pure CBD did not impair thinking or coordination tests in a lab study, but the Epidiolex label advises not to drive until you know how it affects you, because it can cause sleepiness. Products with THC can impair you.
Can CBD turn into THC in your body?
In the 2020 Journal of Analytical Toxicology study, pure CBD produced only 1 positive screening result out of 218 urine samples and no confirmed positives, which does not suggest meaningful conversion.
Does CBD gummy or oil matter for getting high?
The form matters less than what is in it. Any form can cause a high if it contains enough THC.
Is delta-8 the same as CBD?
No. Delta-8 is a form of THC, usually made from CBD, and the FDA says it is intoxicating.
Sources
- JAMA (via PMC) — Bonn-Miller et al., Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online (2017)
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence (via PMC) — Spindle et al., Pharmacodynamic Effects of Vaporized and Oral CBD and Vaporized CBD-Dominant Cannabis (2020)
- World Health Organization — News Briefing, 40th Expert Committee on Drug Dependence
- DailyMed (NLM) — Epidiolex (cannabidiol) prescribing information
- FDA — 5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol
- FDA — What You Need to Know About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds, Including CBD
- NCCIH — Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
- Frontiers in Pharmacology (via PMC) — Gidal et al., Product Labeling Accuracy and Contamination Analysis of Commercially Available CBD Products (2024)
- Journal of Analytical Toxicology (via RTI) — Spindle et al., Urinary Pharmacokinetic Profile of Cannabinoids Following Vaporized and Oral CBD (2020)
- CDC (archive) — Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products
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