CBD Myths Debunked: No, CBD Won't Get You High
CBD Myths Debunked: No, CBD Won't Get You High
And 6 other things worth knowing before you try it — in plain language, without the hype.
If you've been curious about CBD but a little hesitant, you're in good company. Most people who land on this page have one of the same questions running through their head: will it make me feel weird? Is it even legal? What's the difference between this and marijuana?
Here's the thing: CBD has a perception problem. It got lumped in with cannabis culture before the science had a chance to speak for itself. And now there's a lot of noise — some of it from brands that overclaim, some from old stigma that's never quite gone away.
At MirthPlus, we've found that the people who've had the best experiences with CBD are the ones who started with clear, honest information rather than flashy promises. So let's clear the air — myth by myth, in plain language.
Myth #1: CBD Gets You High
This is the big one — and it's completely understandable where the confusion comes from. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) both come from the cannabis plant family. But they have completely different effects on your brain.
All MirthPlus products are THC-free. That means no psychoactive effects. No fuzzy thinking. No feeling "out of it." Just the wellness benefits — nothing you didn't ask for.
Myth #2: CBD Is the Same as Marijuana
Marijuana is a variety of the cannabis plant that's been bred to contain high levels of THC — the intoxicating compound. Hemp is a different variety of the same plant family, grown specifically to contain very low THC (under 0.3% by law in the US) and higher concentrations of CBD.
CBD derived from hemp is not marijuana. It's a completely different product, from a different plant variety, with a different chemical profile — and a different effect on your body.
Myth #3: CBD Is Illegal
The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp and hemp-derived CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC across the United States. That includes CBD oils, topicals, capsules, and gummies made from hemp.
State laws can vary slightly, so it's always worth checking local regulations — but for the vast majority of Americans, purchasing and using hemp-derived CBD is entirely legal. Every product in the MirthPlus store complies with federal law and is lab-tested to verify its THC content.
Myth #4: CBD Will Make You Fail a Drug Test
Standard workplace drug tests screen for THC — not CBD. So if you're using a product that is genuinely THC-free and third-party tested to verify that, the risk of a failed test is very low.
The key phrase there is "genuinely THC-free." Some CBD products on the market contain trace amounts of THC (from full-spectrum formulations), which — over time and with higher doses — can accumulate. That's why we're particular about this at MirthPlus.
If drug testing is a concern in your situation, we'd still recommend speaking with a healthcare professional — individual metabolism, dosage, and product choice all play a role. But starting with verified THC-free products is the responsible first step.
Myth #5: CBD Is Addictive
The World Health Organization reviewed CBD in 2017 and concluded it exhibits no potential for abuse or dependence. In other words: people don't crave it, don't escalate their dose to chase a high, and don't experience withdrawal when they stop.
CBD supports your endocannabinoid system — a regulatory network your body already has. Think of it less like introducing a foreign substance and more like supporting a system that already exists. That's a very different mechanism than substances associated with addiction.
Myth #6: More CBD Means Better Results
This one surprises a lot of people. CBD research suggests it follows what's sometimes called a biphasic response — meaning lower doses and higher doses can produce different (and sometimes opposite) effects. Drowsiness at high doses, for example, compared to alertness at low doses.
The practical takeaway: start low, observe how your body responds, and adjust gradually. There's no trophy for taking more. Most people find their sweet spot and stay there — and that's exactly the right approach.
Myth #7: All CBD Products Are the Same
The CBD industry is still loosely regulated, which means product quality varies more than most people realize. A 2017 Penn Medicine study found that nearly 70% of CBD products sold online were mislabeled — some containing more CBD than advertised, some less, and some containing more THC than the label indicated.
What actually separates a trustworthy CBD product from the rest:
- Source: Where and how the hemp was grown (organic matters)
- Extraction method: CO₂ extraction is the gold standard for purity
- Third-party testing: Independent labs catch what in-house testing misses
- COA transparency: If a brand won't show you the lab report, ask why
- THC verification: Especially important if you have concerns about drug testing
At MirthPlus, every product in the store has passed our three-layer testing process. That's not marketing language — there's a Certificate of Analysis attached to every product, and you're welcome to read it before you buy.
Standard drug tests screen for THC, not CBD. Using a verified THC-free product significantly reduces the risk of a positive test. However, individual factors like metabolism and dosage matter — if you're subject to regular drug testing, consult a healthcare professional and always use COA-verified THC-free products.
Both are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant family, but they work differently. THC binds directly to CB1 receptors in the brain and causes psychoactive effects (the "high"). CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system differently — it doesn't cause intoxication. Think of THC as the compound that changes how you feel, and CBD as the one that supports how you function.
Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.3% THC is federally legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill. Most states follow federal guidelines, though a few have additional restrictions. It's always worth checking your local state law, especially if you're traveling.
It depends on the delivery method. Sublingual oils (held under the tongue) typically take 15–45 minutes. Topicals applied to the skin work locally and relatively quickly. Capsules or edibles take 45–90 minutes since they go through digestion. For systemic benefits — like better sleep or calmer days — most people notice meaningful changes after 7–14 days of consistent use.
CBD is generally well-tolerated, even at higher doses. But more isn't always better — CBD has a biphasic response, meaning effects can differ at low vs. high doses. The practical approach: start with the lowest recommended dose, observe for a week, and adjust from there. If you're on any medications, check with your doctor first, as CBD can interact with certain drugs.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids including trace THC. Broad-spectrum has multiple cannabinoids with THC removed. Isolate is pure CBD only. At MirthPlus, our formulations use broad-spectrum CBD — so you get the benefit of multiple cannabinoids working together (the "entourage effect") without any THC.
The bottom line: CBD isn't mysterious, and it isn't dangerous. It's a well-researched plant compound that, when sourced and tested properly, supports wellness in ways that fit into real life — without getting in the way of it.
The most important thing isn't which product you start with. It's that you start with accurate information and a brand you trust. We hope this helped with the first part.
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