Does CBD Flower Make You Paranoid? – Weed Anxiety Deep Dive

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Everyone reacts slightly differently to CBD flower, especially depending on the type of CBD flower. In this detailed analysis, you’ll find out why people sometimes associate CBD flower with paranoia.

CBD flower does not contain enough THC to make you feel paranoid, or high in any way. In fact, CBD flower will typically make you feel relaxed, and can even counteract the anxiety-inducing effects of THC.

If CBD makes you feel paranoid, then you may have purchased an untrustworthy product that isn’t really just CBD flower. This highlights the importance of buying only reliable CBD products. Many sellers put out mislabeled products. Really, only those shady products could make you feel paranoid because CBD itself doesn’t have that capacity. This article goes in-depth with dispelling some common concerns about the CBD industry, and equips you with the knowledge you need to be an informed consumer.

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Why does weed make you paranoid?

There is a particular component to weed that can cause psychoactive response in the body. The psychoactive effects are typically registered based upon the potency of the weed. In other words, how much THC is present. 

THC is the psychoactive component in weed that can cause paranoia for some. However, that response can vary depending on the tolerance of the smoker, and the type of flower used. Additionally, environmental surroundings can be variables that inform your response to weed. 

For example, if you are in a familiar place with people you know, your response might be less intense. Likewise, if you are in a new environment with new people, your response might be heightened. Let’s break down what is actually considered weed related paranoia.

  • Anxiety: You might become nervous about how you are being perceived by those around you or generally an introspection of how you are behaving.

  • Hyperawareness: You might become hyper aware of your surroundings, taking in environmental factors.

  • Delusions: You might think that you hear something or see something when you don’t. 

The psychoactive responses from weed that might cause this type of paranoia will typically not be cause of danger, but it can definitely be cause for concern when you feel out-of-body or as though you’ve lost control or autonomy. In other words, waiting to “come down” can be frightening, even if you are not in any particular danger. 

That’s why it’s important to understand the type of flower you are smoking. 

There is an important distinction between CBD and THC, especially when it comes to side effects. 

For those who are new to the world of CBD, there is often a lot of concern about how CBD will make you feel. For example, people frequently wonder whether CBD is relaxing or if it will cause anxiety. This is because we sometimes conflate CBD and THC, but they are very different compounds.

THC can cause anxiety, but CBD doesn’t. In fact, CBD can even help with some of the anxiety associated with THC.

Women standing in a crowd holding her face with both hands having an anxiety attack.

Does CBD counteract the effects of THC?

Studies show that CBD can actually counteract the effects of THC. This is due to the way that the brain reacts to CB1 receptors. 

CB1 receptors are the receptors in your brain that are responsible for emotion such as joy, pain, displeasure, and feelings of hunger or thirst. 

That means where THC will increase the activity of CB1 receptors, CBD will not. Instead of not interacting with CB1 receptors at all, CBD will actually decrease the activity of the CB1 receptor. 

Less scientifically, it makes sense that CBD would counteract THC in terms of the use and response. Many of the side effects of CBD are directly opposite of those of THC. Though both CBD and THC come from the same cannabis plant, they have very different effects and are therefore used for different reasons. 

How to Use CBD to Counteract Side-Effects of THC:

  • If you smoked too much weed or the strain was stronger than you expected, you can use CBD to come down from that “bad trip” or calm down any sensations of paranoia.

  • Many people like to use CBD before smoking weed, because it mellows out the high and can prevent any overwhelming anxiety from the THC.

  • In states where cannabis is legal, like California, you can buy products that have different ratios of THC to CBD for people who are prone to THC-induced anxiety.

  • In states where cannabis is legal, dispensaries are beginning to offer products that have an increased level of CBD for a more mellow high. If you worry about anxiety or paranoia from CBD, you can find vape cartridges in these states that have a higher ratio of CBD to THC. Many farmers are currently working to increase the amount of CBD in various marijuana strains due to the popularity of the CBD counteractive effects with THC. 

CBD may not completely negate the feelings of anxiety after smoking, but it can certainly take the edge off and lead to a more enjoyable experience.

Does CBD flower give you anxiety?

CBD flower is not known to increase or insight feelings of anxiety. 

As previously stated, CBD is often used to actually ease anxiety. The solutions and market for mental healthcare are still being expanded as the notion of mental health struggles become less taboo. 

Likewise, CBD is still being normalized, which is why some doctors might not look to CBD as a solution for anxiety right away. 

While it will not decrease feelings of anxiety permanently, CBD can be a great temporary solution for anxiety when need be. Speak with your doctor to decide if CBD is the right solution for you, and get to know your options within the CBD world.  

The only way CBD alone could possibly cause anxiety without the influence of environmental factors is if the CBD has been mislabeled and includes more THC than the FDA limit. If the product contains less than the legal limit of THC, the traces of THC present in CBD will not be influential enough to cause psychoactive side effects. 

If you want to avoid THC at all costs, you can buy CBD in its purest form, which is typically referred to as CBD isolate. However, CBD flower is always full-spectrum, meaning it will always contain low levels of THC. CBD isolate usually comes in powder or oil forms, but not as smokeable flower. 

The consumer should also be very careful about where they buy CBD and how they decide to purchase it. We’ve compiled some of the most high-quality, trustworthy brands selling CBD flower right now. You can access our directory for free here.

Hands wearing see through gloves holding a glass jar in one hand and freshly harvested hemp flower in the other.

Does CBD have mind altering effects?

CBD will not cause mind altering effects to the extent of paranoia or a psychoactive high. But, in the sense that CBD can alter your state of mind in order to make you feel more calm, relaxed, or sleepy, then, yes, CBD technically has mind-altering effects, just not in the same way as THC.

CBD causes:

  • Drowsiness
  • Reduced inflammation 
  • Calm/ relaxed feelings
  • Anxiety relief
  • Pain relief

CBD does not cause:

  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • A “high”
  • Reduced inhibitions

(That’s THC.)

However, because CBD does cause drowsiness, it is still important that you do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or drink alcohol while using CBD. While the combination of CBD and alcohol are not notably dangerous in terms of drug interaction, the increased drowsiness and lack of inhibitions can put you at risk. In terms of “mind altering”, this is where CBD lies: not enough to get you high, but enough to make you feel calm.

Think of CBD like a typical pain-killer like ibuprofen. Perhaps you consume CBD oil, then a little while later, you notice that you are no longer feeling anxious, or you are no longer experiencing physical pain. Even when it has trace amounts of THC, it’s not enough to cause the same effect of weed when you inhale then feel your state of mind change.

Does CBD flower have THC in it?

CBD flower is full-spectrum, meaning it does contain trace amounts of THC. By law it can only contain .03% by dry weight, which is not enough  to cause any psychoactive effects.

Every strain will have different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. The levels of THC in each strain will fluctuate but if you buy from reputable companies it will always be below .03%

When you are purchasing CBD from a reputable, regulated company, you can ensure that the product advertised is the product you will receive. Many reputable companies will be transparent with their growing practices and provide information about the steps they take to provide the best product possible for you. 

While much of the CBD industry is still under regulated, many companies will bring in third-party lab testing sites to self-regulate and practice good safety measures. 

Likewise, reputable companies will give their customers the ability to write reviews so that the customer base knows it is also capable of holding the company accountable. 

If you want to ensure that you are getting the best quality product, make sure that you know all the details of the product being offered, and the means by which the company is producing that product. With that knowledge, you can also ensure that you are getting a CBD product that will not cause anxiety or paranoia. 

We’ve already done a lot of the hard work for you, so check out our directory for access to all the best CBD available.

Josh Murdoch

Josh Murdoch

I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and although it is incurable, CBD and THC have been allowing me to live my life as a healthy adult now for years. For that reason, I’ve dedicated my career to spreading the good news about cannabinoids. Currently, I work for a cannabis distribution company called Humble & Fume which operates in California. Previously, I worked on two cannabis farms in northern California, one of which was located in the famous Humboldt County. I’ve also managed a medical cannabis delivery service in Marin County, California. I created CBD Facilitator to share what I’ve learned, and to recommend the best products that I have found in this chaotic market.

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Our Mission

Our goal is to educate you on all things CBD, enabling you to navigate this vast unregulated industry like a pro. We know all too well how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy brands in this crowded market, so we’re here to help!

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Our Favorite Brands

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Perfect for Localized Pain and Inflammation Relief!