Can CBD Make You Paranoid?
Can CBD make you paranoid like other cannabinoids might?
CBD is known to have numerous potential benefits like pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement, and more. Many use it in their daily routines as a wellness supplement to potentially help them in many ways. But, anything related to cannabis comes with the stigma of paranoia and anxiety. Can CBD make you paranoid like other cannabinoids might?
We’ll take a look at how CBD works in the body and some of its potential effects to explain whether or not it may cause paranoia. We’ll also talk about the importance of buying reputable CBD products. Lastly, we’ll answer a few frequently asked questions about CBD and paranoia.
How CBD Works in the Body
Everyone has a system of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids in their body called the endocannabinoids system (ECS). The ECS is connected to many systems in the body and it plays a role in nearly every bodily function we have. Its function is primarily to regulate your body's systems and help you stay in a state of homeostasis, affecting your mood, pain receptors, immune system, organs, brain, and more.
Aside from binding with endocannabinoids (cannabinoids created by the body), the receptors in the ECS also bind with cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. CBD is one of these cannabinoids, and its potential effects come from how it may affect the receptors it binds with. CBD is thought to help build the ECS, potentially helping it balance the systems it influences and promoting overall wellness.
CBD is currently undergoing research for its potential to help with mood disorders, pain management, immune function, and neuroprotection among other potential benefits.
Potential Effects of CBD
Currently, CBD is undergoing more research than ever before, and many studies suggest it may have a variety of potential benefits. Here are a few of them:
Anxiety Relief: CBD may have a calming, anxiety-reducing effect according to some studies. It may also help with ailments such as depression or poor sleep quality.
Pain Management: Pain management and relief are more common reasons why many use CBD. It may be beneficial for soothing a variety of pain types, from muscle pain to chronic pain conditions.
Sleep Improvement: While more research is needed, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help improve a variety of sleep issues.
Stress Management: By using CBD regularly and choosing the correct products, you may experience a stress-relieving effect over time.
Appetite Regulation: CBD has been shown in some studies to potentially affect the appetite. It may reduce hunger in some and increase appetite in others.
Can CBD Cause Paranoia?
In general, CBD is most likely not going to cause paranoia. Unlike the more popular cannabinoid Delta 9 THC, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it does not “get you high” like THC will. There is no evidence to suggest that CBD may have paranoia-inducing effects.
CBD may, however, affect serotonin levels in the brain. Some studies suggest CBD may work in similar ways in the brain as some antidepressants.
The Importance of Getting CBD from Reputable Sources
The CBD market is booming, but with this fast growth has come a lot of companies looking to get into the industry and make a quick profit. This means untrustworthy and potentially unsafe products are out there.
Luckily, there are a few things you can look for to determine whether a CBD/hemp company is trustworthy. Here are our tips for finding reputable cannabis companies:
Read their customer reviews, look for potentially fake ones, and ensure the reviews are generally positive.
Locate their lab testing results for their products. If they have them, they are likely a reputable company.
Read their lab results for each product. Each document should be labeled from a 3rd-party lab that has no affiliation with the CBD company. The test results should also be clean and free from any toxic or unwanted materials. Also, check to ensure the products contain the same amount of cannabinoids that are listed on their packaging.
Check out their shipping, returns, and customer service options. Reputable companies will provide customer service contact information and include a return policy on their website.
You should also verify that the CBD or other cannabinoids you are purchasing are hemp-derived and/or contain no more than .03% Delta 9 THC. This ensures that they are federally legal to be purchased. Please note that cannabis laws vary by state and may differ in your area.
CBD and Other Cannabinoids
If you do experience paranoia from CBD or other cannabis products, you may want to look at other cannabinoids that may be in your products.
CBD on its own is non-psychoactive and will likely not cause any adverse effects like paranoia, but that is not the case for other cannabinoids. If your cannabis product has a higher amount of Delta 8 THC for example, you may be experiencing paranoia from that cannabinoid rather than the CBD. Be sure to check lab results for a better look at the cannabinoids in your products, and experiment with different cannabinoids to find your favorite combinations and ratios.
CBD and Paranoia - FAQ
How Much CBD Should I Take?
Everyone is different, which means doses can vary! We always say start with a low dose and slowly increase until you’ve found what works best for you. Keep track of how different doses feel, the time of day you take CBD, and how frequently you take it. From there, you can get a feel for what doses and routines work best for you.
Do CBD Products Contain THC?
Some do, yes. Depending on the spectrum of the product you purchase, it may contain up to .03% Delta 9 THC. Full-spectrum CBD products usually contain this amount of THC. Broad spectrum usually contains little to no THC, and CBD isolate is completely THC-free.
Keep in mind that some products contain other cannabinoids such as Delta 8 THC or HHC. These examples of cannabinoids are psychoactive.
How Long Does it Take to Feel the Potential Effects of CBD?
This depends on the amount you take and how you take it. Most CBD products are ingestible, like edibles, gummies, or capsules. These products usually take 30-60 minutes for the potential effects to onset. Tinctures, when taken sublingually, usually have a faster absorption time and may take effect faster than edibles.
How Will CBD Make Me Feel?
The potential effects of CBD vary from person to person, and you may experience different potential effects depending on when you take it, how much you take, if you’ve eaten, etc. Don’t let that scare you though! In general, CBD may make you feel calmer and more relaxed. It may help you get to sleep easier or add a little boost of mental clarity in the morning. The best way to find out how CBD may make you feel is to try it at a small dose and work your way up to what is comfortable for you!
CBD and Paranoia: Conclusion
Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that CBD can cause paranoia. It may actually have the opposite effect. If you are concerned about trying cannabis products and experiencing paranoia, be sure to check the ingredients and cannabinoid content of the products you are interested in. To avoid anything you weren’t expecting, stick to CBD-focused products and avoid psychoactive cannabinoids.
We hope this post helped ease your mind about CBD and paranoia! Remember to only purchase CBD from reputable brands, and be sure to check for lab testing when you do. For top-quality, reputable CBD products, shop with us at CBD Pros. Learn more about CBD and other cannabinoids on our education page, and visit one of our locations to get the full CBD Pros experience.