When it comes to cannabis, so many people focus on the psychoactive effects of THC. The plant contains another well-known cannabinoid, too, CBD. Unlike THC, this compound doesn’t produce a high. Your local dispensary likely has a few CBD-rich strains that contain very little THC. Unlike THC strains, the CBD smoke you inhale while using these strains isn’t psychoactive. Even so, it still provides some significant benefits that may help to improve your overall quality of life.

CBD Vs. THC

CBD and THC are both compounds in cannabis. They both have the same chemical makeup. Even so, they’re very different from one another. The biggest difference is that THC gets you high, while CBD does not.

When you smoke, the cannabinoids that enter your bloodstream begin to interact with cannabinoid receptors in your endocannabinoid system. THC binds directly with CB1 receptors, a move that triggers the psychoactive effects. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t bind with these receptors. Instead, it raises the levels of the endocannabinoids your body makes. It also targets different receptors in your body, namely the serotonin and vanilloid receptors.

Benefits of Smoking CBD

CBD provides some significant benefits. It can help with such issues as:

• Pain and inflammation
• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Stress
• Insomnia
• Epileptic seizures

Some studies are showing that CBD may also work to reduce the size of cancerous tumors.

When it comes to smoking CBD specifically, this method of ingestion produces fast-acting results. The cannabinoids you inhale travel through your lungs and into your bloodstream. Most users begin feeling the effects within the first 30 minutes. Some begin to feel them within the first 15 minutes.

Are There Side Effects to CBD Smoke?

While CBD smoke might not have any psychoactive effects (more accurately, any intoxicating effects), there may still be some side effects. The biggest one to note is that you inhale more than smoke when you smoke CBD strains. You also breathe in ash and carcinogens, compounds that can irritate your throat and lungs.

How Does CBD Smoke Make You Feel?

So, if CBD is considered non-psychoactive, does it make you feel anything? You might not feel high when you smoke a CBD-rich strain, but you’re still likely to feel something. That something depends upon your specific ailments.

Many people who use CBD products report feeling a sense of calm when they consume the cannabinoid. They feel more relaxed and less stressed. Some even feel sleepy. It’s rare that users feel any harmful side effects when it comes to CBD. In some cases, overconsumption may cause irritability, dry mouth, nausea, or fatigue. These side effects aren’t typically very strong, but they’re still worth keeping in mind.

If you’re looking to experience the benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effects of THC, smoking CBD provides an alternative. Strains that have high CBD and low THC concentrations are much less likely to cause the well-known high the plant causes. The next time you’re visiting your local dispensary, take a look at their CBD-rich strains to see if any of the options strike your fancy.