If you’re wondering whether CBD can make you feel high, here’s the clear and measurable truth: CBD itself is not intoxicating — but many CBD products contain enough THC to cause a high.
That’s the real question consumers should be asking: “Does the CBD product I bought contain enough THC to get me high?”
Last updated: November 29, 2025 • Author: Kyoto Botanicals
Table of Contents
- What Causes a High: CBD vs. THC (Clear Line, No Confusion)
- How Much THC Is Actually in Full-Spectrum CBD?
- THC Edible Dosing vs. Full-Spectrum CBD (Direct Comparison)
- So… Will CBD Make You High?
- Why THC-Free Matters If You Want the Benefits Without the High
- What About Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate?
- Full-Spectrum CBD Isn’t “Bad” — It’s Just Misunderstood
- Clear Takeaway: Will CBD Make You High?
- If You Choose THC-Free CBD, Look for Three Things
- FAQ: Will CBD Make You High?
What Causes a High: CBD vs. THC (Clear Line, No Confusion)
CBD does not create a high. THC does.
The only variable that matters is how much THC is in the product you’re taking.
When brands say “full spectrum,” they’re signaling something important:
- Full spectrum = contains THC
- Broad spectrum = THC-Free
- CBD isolate = THC-Free
But the amount of THC in full-spectrum products is widely misunderstood — and often minimized in marketing.
How Much THC Is Actually in Full-Spectrum CBD? (This Is the Part No One Talks About)
Most full-spectrum CBD gummies on the market contain:
- 25 mg CBD per gummy
- ~1 mg THC per gummy (the maximum legally allowed per serving)
That doesn’t sound like much until you look at the math:
25 mg CBD gummy → ~1 mg THC
So if you take:
- 1 gummy = ~1 mg THC
- 2 gummies = ~2 mg THC
- 30 gummies = 30 mg THC per bottle
And here’s the kicker:
A standard THC edible “microdose” is just 1–2.5 mg of THC.
So a single full-spectrum CBD gummy can be half or more of a recreational THC microdose.
Two gummies = a full standard THC edible experience for many people.
That’s why so many people report “feeling weird,” “foggy,” or “off” on full-spectrum CBD.
It’s not the CBD — it’s the THC.
THC Edible Dosing vs. Full-Spectrum CBD (Direct Comparison)
Below is the relevant section from typical THC edible guidance:
- 1–2.5 mg THC → noticeable effects for many new users
- 3–5 mg THC → where a “high” commonly begins
- 10+ mg THC → strong intoxication for most inexperienced users
Now compare that to common full-spectrum CBD:
-
1 mg THC per gummy × 3 gummies = 3 mg THC
→ Right in the “you may feel high” zone. -
Accidentally take 5 gummies?
→ 5 mg THC = definite high for most people. -
Kid accidentally eats the jar?
→ 30 mg THC = a very intoxicating dose.
This is why THC-Free matters for families, parents, athletes, anyone with a sensitive nervous system, and anyone who simply doesn’t want THC in their system.
So… Will CBD Make You High?
Here’s the objective answer:
1. CBD itself will NOT make you high.
CBD is non-intoxicating and does not activate the CB1 receptor in the brain that produces euphoria.
2. Full-spectrum CBD products CAN absolutely get you high.
Because they contain THC — often enough to cause real intoxication, especially with multiple servings.
3. Only products with 0.0% THC completely remove the risk.
No THC = no chance of a high, no chance of surprise intoxication, and no psychoactive effects.
This is the piece most consumers have never been told.
Why THC-Free Matters If You Want the Benefits Without the High
A true 0.0% THC formula ensures:
- No intoxication
- No fog
- No “off” feeling
- No impaired coordination
- No risk of accidentally dosing too high
- No secondhand exposure risk for families
- No surprise psychoactive effects from inconsistent batches
For many people, this is the entire point of using CBD:
calm, clarity, focus, and relief — without feeling altered.
What About Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate?
Two types of CBD products are genuinely THC-Free:
Broad Spectrum CBD
Contains CBD + other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes,
0.0% THC
This is what Kyoto Botanicals uses.
CBD Isolate
Contains only CBD.
Often used to “spike” formulas.
0.0% THC
Both offer CBD with zero intoxication risk but only broad-spectrum still gives the benefits of the entourage effect.
Full-Spectrum CBD Isn’t “Bad” — It’s Just Misunderstood
Full-spectrum products can absolutely be beneficial for some people — but they must be labeled and communicated honestly.
The problem is:
- Most consumers have no idea how much THC they’re consuming
- Dosing adds up quickly
- “Microdoses” feel very different for new users
- Brands rarely explain the THC math
- Many people think CBD made them feel high, when it was actually THC
This confusion creates unnecessary fear around CBD as a category.
Clear Takeaway: Will CBD Make You High?
- CBD: No.
- THC: Yes.
- Full-spectrum CBD: Contains THC → may cause a high.
- THC-Free CBD: Contains 0.0% THC → cannot cause a high.
If you want all the benefits of hemp without any psychoactive effects, a verified 0.0% THC formula is the safest and most predictable option.
If You Choose THC-Free CBD, Look for Three Things
- A published 0.0% THC third-party lab test (not “ND” unless shown as 0.000%)
- Broad spectrum or isolate clearly labeled
- No full-spectrum shortcuts (many brands hide THC behind vague language)
FAQ: Will CBD Make You High?
Will CBD make you high?
No. CBD itself is non-intoxicating and does not activate the brain receptors responsible for the classic “high.” If a product contains 0.0% THC, it cannot make you feel high.
Can CBD make you high if you take a lot?
Even at higher doses, CBD on its own does not cause intoxication. However, many “CBD” products also contain THC. If you take large amounts of a full-spectrum product, you can easily consume enough THC to feel high.
Will THC-Free CBD make you high?
No. Verified THC-Free CBD (broad spectrum or isolate with 0.0% THC on lab tests) will not make you high, even at higher doses, because there is no THC present to create psychoactive effects.
Why did I feel high after taking CBD gummies?
In most cases, it’s because the gummies were full spectrum and contained THC. A typical full-spectrum 25 mg CBD gummy can include around 1 mg THC. Taking several gummies in a day can easily reach the same THC levels as a standard cannabis edible.
How do I know if my CBD product can make me high?
Check the label and the third-party lab report (COA):
- If it says full spectrum and lists any measurable THC, it can potentially make you feel high at higher doses.
- If it says broad spectrum or CBD isolate and the lab report shows 0.0% THC, it will not make you high.
Can CBD make you fail a drug test?
Drug tests typically look for THC, not CBD. A truly THC-Free product is designed to avoid THC exposure. Full-spectrum products, however, do contain THC, and regular use can increase the risk of a positive drug test. If avoiding THC is critical for you, choose products with verified 0.0% THC on their lab results.
For readers who want to go deeper into CBD safety and THC-free clarity, Mark recently published an expert piece on Featured.com about why transparency is essential in this industry. Read more →
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