• Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance found in cannabis plants(1). Hemp and marijuana, harvested from different cannabis strains, contain CBD(2).
  • Marijuana is also referred to as “weed,” “grass,” “ganja,” “pot,” or “hash”(3). Because CBD may come from other sources besides marijuana, individuals should consider not using “weed” when referring to CBD.
  • CBD, by itself, does not produce a “high” feeling(4). However, CBD oil products may contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a psychoactive cannabis constituent that produces a “high” feeling(5).
  • CBD may have anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic (antianxiety), and analgesic (pain-relieving) benefits(6). However, individuals should consult a doctor before using CBD for any health condition.

Differences Between CBD, Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hemp

Some individuals are unable to discern the differences between the terms “CBD,” “cannabis,” “hemp,” and “marijuana” and may mistakenly use these words interchangeably. However, these terms do not mean the same thing and are described as follows:

  • Cannabidiol: CBD is a cannabinoid, a substance found in cannabis plants(7). Marijuana and hemp plants, harvested from different cannabis strains such as Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, typically contain CBD(8).

Cannabinoids are chemical messengers that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)(9).

The ECS is a system-wide network comprising cannabinoid receptors and chemical signals within the brain and body(10). The ECS controls and regulates various critical functions in the body, such as the following:

  • Temperature control
  • Immune and inflammatory responses
  • Pain control
  • Memory and learning
  • Emotional processing
  • Sleep

CBD is a plant-based chemical compound being marketed as alternative medicine or supplement rather than a substance that underwent pharmaceutical research and development(11).

  • Cannabis: This word generally refers to the cannabis plant or products derived from this plant(12). Cannabis may contain about 540 chemical substances.

These substances include cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Terpenes are compounds that give plants fragrance, taste, and pigment(13). Plant sources of terpenes include cannabis, Spanish sage, thyme, and citrus fruits.

On the other hand, flavonoids are plant substances that provide ultraviolet (UV) protection, plant defense and signaling, pigmentation, and plant development regulation(14).

  • Marijuana: This term refers to the plant parts or products derived from the cannabis plant containing substantial amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)(15). Marijuana produces THC and CBD(16).

THC, also called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive cannabis constituent known for producing a “high” feeling, typically associated with marijuana use and central nervous system depression(17).

Other names for marijuana include “weed,” “ganja,” “hash,” “grass,” or “pot”(18).

However, because CBD is a substance typically extracted from hemp and marijuana, individuals should consider not referring to CBD as “weed.”

Marijuana, or “marihuana” as defined under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), is a schedule I drug due to the substance’s high potential for abuse(19). This definition is mainly attributable to the psychoactive effects of THC.

Proponents of recreational marijuana mention that it is less harmful than alcohol and that regulation may help make marijuana safer(20). However, critics argue that marijuana use may lead to more medical emergencies, including traffic accidents due to driving while “high.”

  • Hemp: Hemp is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant containing a high amount of CBD and less than 0.3% THC(21). U.S. law defines cannabis plants with little THC content as industrial hemp instead of marijuana(22).

The 2018 Farm Bill mandated the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a framework for regulating hemp production in the United States(23).

Chemical Structure of CBD

CBD is a phytocannabinoid (plant-based cannabinoid) with the chemical formula C21H30O2 and has a molecular mass of 314.47 grams per mole (g/mol)(24).

CBD is two molecules away from THC within the complex metabolome (collection of low molecular weight metabolites produced during metabolism) of cannabinoids(25). An acid-catalyzed reaction can convert CBD to THC.

Psychoactive Components of CBD: Can an Individual Get High From CBD Oil?

Despite being one of the hundreds of marijuana components, CBD alone does not cause a feeling of “high”(26).

However, CBD oil products may contain other substances, such as THC, that may produce psychoactive effects.

For instance, full-spectrum CBD oil products typically contain all cannabis compounds, including CBD, THC, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids(27).

How CBD May Affect the Body

CBD affects the body by acting as neurotransmitters that help provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects(28).

Individuals considering taking CBD for various reasons, such as optimizing wellness or for recreational use, may choose a preferred delivery method to administer the substance. These methods include the following:

  • Ingestion: This method allows CBD to affect the body by taking the substance through the oral route, letting the drug pass through the digestive tract before getting absorbed into the bloodstream.

Orally administered CBD oil products have a prolonged effect duration, making them suitable for all-day or all-night effects(29).

Oral CBD products include CBD capsules and edibles such as CBD gummies, candies, cookies, or chews.

Some CBD edibles may contain different flavors to make these products cater to individual tastes or help mask CBD’s natural flavor.

  • Sublingual administration: The sublingual route involves applying CBD oil under the tongue. This method lets the body absorb the substance directly into the bloodstream, allowing the drug to bypass the digestive tract.

Sublingually administered products include tinctures, oromucosal sprays, and high-potency oils.

Tincture bottles typically come with a calibrated dropper to help individuals perform accurate dosing.

CBD oil tinctures have a natural earthy or grassy flavor. Individuals may choose to administer tinctures sublingually or mix tinctures with food or drinks(30).

  • Topical application: The topical route involves applying CBD products to the skin. This method may relieve pain or decrease itching and inflammation in the applied area(31). Topically applied CBD is not absorbed into the bloodstream.

Individuals may choose from a wide selection of topical CBD products, such as CBD ointments, lotions, creams, lip balms, roll-on sticks, and salves.

  • Inhalation: This method delivers the drug into the lungs, to the heart and brain, then distributes the substance fairly throughout the body(32).

Inhaling cannabis gives individuals a fast method to administer the substance and may be appropriate for acute conditions such as nausea or acute pain(33). One method to administer CBD through inhalation is by vaping.

However, vapes can cause various health risks related to lung disease(34). Furthermore, selling e-cigarettes or vapes to individuals below 21 (19 or 18 in some U.S. states) is illegal.

Regardless of the chosen administration method or product type, individuals, especially those with existing health conditions, must consult their healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment before taking cannabis or CBD products.

CBD Benefits

The purported health benefits of CBD may include anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anxiolytic (antianxiety), and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects(35).

Furthermore, animal studies and human research suggest that CBD may help manage anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and addiction(36).

Researchers in one study investigating the effects of cannabinoids on psychosis conducted two trials on individuals with schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis(37).

In the first trial, researchers compared the effects of CBD against amisulpride (an antipsychotic drug). Meanwhile, the second trial compared CBD with a placebo.

Results showed that in the first trial, there was no difference in effects on mental health between amisulpride and CBD. Similarly, the second trial showed no difference in effects on mood between placebo and CBD.

These results suggest that, despite claims that CBD may help with schizophrenia, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the substance has beneficial effects on mental health outcomes associated with this disorder.

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder whose symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, thinking trouble, and lack of motivation(38).

Another study evaluated the effectiveness of Sativex, a drug containing CBD and THC, on individuals with spasticity due to multiple sclerosis(39). Results showed that the drug may help improve spasticity better than a placebo.

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease affecting an individual’s central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord(40). Meanwhile, spasticity is muscle stiffness or abnormal muscle tone increase that interferes with movement or speech(41).

Epidiolex, an oral medication containing a purified form of CBD, is an FDA-approved treatment for seizures linked to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome(42).

CBD Side Effects

Side effects of CBD include drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and diarrhea(43).

Additionally, one study on the effects of cannabidiol on patients with CBD prescriptions mentioned that individuals taking the substance may experience sedation and vivid dreams(44).

Furthermore, CBD may block the activities of the cytochrome P450 enzymes. Of the more than 50 enzymes within this group, six metabolize around 90% of drugs(45).

CBD may interfere with these liver enzymes when administered at high enough doses and affect the metabolized drugs’ effectiveness(46).

CBD Drug Testing

Urine tests utilized for drug tests usually detect compounds produced by the body when metabolizing THC, and laboratory tests should not confuse CBD with THC metabolites(47). Thus, taking CBD is unlikely to result in a drug test failure.

However, some CBD products may have a higher THC content than what the label specifies(48). Additionally, the trace amounts of THC in the CBD product may build up in the body to detectable levels over time. This situation may lead to a positive drug test. 

CBD Legality

The legality and regulation of medical marijuana and cannabis products vary from one state to another. Before purchasing and using CBD products, consumers must review and understand their state’s laws regarding such substances.

The 2018 Farm Bill excludes hemp and hemp-based CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC from the Controlled Substances Act’s (CSA) “marijuana” definition(49).

Thus, CBD products with THC concentrations higher than 0.3% are illegal under U.S. federal law(50).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that marketing or labeling CBD products as food additives or dietary supplements is illegal(51). The agency also advises that consumers should consider the real risks of CBD before using this substance.

Individuals interested to know more about FDA regulations and issues regarding cannabis, marijuana, hemp, and CBD may access the agency’s government website at www.fda.gov.

As of February 3, 2022, about 37 U.S. states have allowed the use of medical cannabis. States with regulated cannabis programs include Oregon, New York, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and California(52).


  1. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  2. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  3. Marijuana
    https://medlineplus.gov/marijuana.html
  4. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  5. Tetrahydrocannabinol
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/tetrahydrocannabinol
  6. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  7. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  8. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  9. Ibid.
  10. The Endocannabinoid System: Essential and Mysterious
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
  11. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  12. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  13. Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Terpenes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7120914/
  14. Flavonoid Functions in Plants and Their Interactions with Other Organisms
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6027123/
  15. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  16. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  17. Tetrahydrocannabinol
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/tetrahydrocannabinol
  18. Marijuana
    https://medlineplus.gov/marijuana.html
  19. FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD)
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd
  20. Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal?
    https://marijuana.procon.org/
  21. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  22. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
  23. Hemp Production
    https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp
  24. The Essential Medicinal Chemistry of Cannabidiol (CBD)
    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00724
  25. Ibid.
  26. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  27. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  28. Ibid.
  29. Page 202 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  30. Page 208 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  31. Page 210 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  32. Best Way to Take CBD
    https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/best-way-take-cbd
  33. Ibid.
  34. Can Vaping Damage Your Lungs? What We Do (and Don’t) Know
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-damage-your-lungs-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2019090417734
  35. Cannabidiol Primer for Healthcare Professionals
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7340472/
  36. Cannabidiol (CBD)-What We Know and What We Don’t
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
  37. Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
  38. What Is Schizophrenia?
    https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia
  39. Sativex(®) and Clinical-Neurophysiological Measures of Spasticity in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26289497/
  40. Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms & Causes
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
  41. Spasticity
    https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spasticity
  42. FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to Treat Seizures in Rare Genetic Disease
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare
  43. What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
  44. Cannabidiol Prescription in Clinical Practice: An Audit on the First 400 Patients in New Zealand
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7330185/
  45. The Effect of Cytochrome P450 Metabolism on Drug Response, Interactions, and Adverse Effects
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0801/p391.html
  46. Page 114-115 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
  47. Can You Take CBD and Pass a Drug Test?
    https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/can-you-take-cbd-and-pass-a-drug-test/
  48. Ibid.
  49. Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill
    https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
  50. CBD & THC: Myths and Misconceptions
    https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/cbd-thc-myths-and-misconceptions
  51. What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD
    https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
  52. State Medical Cannabis Laws
    https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
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