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CBD Is Psychoactive: The Evidence-Based End of the Debate

A realistic photograph that playfully reimagines a presidential debate stage where translucent CBD gummy bears stand behind their respective representatives as they debate in a satirical exchange on whether CBD is psychoactive or if CBD is non-psychoactive. Donald Trump is satirically representing the CBD gummy bears that claim that CBD, is indeed, a Psychoactive substance.

Is CBD non-psychoactive or psychoactive? It's time to set the record straight and settle this debate once and for all by looking at the available research and presenting only concrete evidence for this discussion. Sneak peak? CBD is psychoactive.

Table of Contents

EST. READING TIME: 7 Minutes
EST. READING TIME: 7 Minutes

Introduction

The esteemed dr. Raphael mechoulam, standing poised in the front of a crowd preparing to give a lecture on the psychoactivity of cbd.
The esteemed dr. Raphael mechoulam welcomes colleagues as he prepares to give a lecture (ai generated photo).

It’s time to set the record straight and look at the evidence. So, let’s end the debate here: CBD is psychoactive. The commonly found online claims that suggest otherwise, by stating “CBD is non-psychoactive because it doesn’t produce a high,” are misleading.

We’re not wasting any time today, let’s get right to it.

Reason Why People Incorrectly Claim that CBD is Non-Psychoactive

A focused female teacher confidently draws a prominent red line through a sentence that reads 'cbd is non-psychoactive. ' the teachers uses an oversized red marker to suggest that she is grading one of her students presentation boards in real time.
A focused female teacher confidently draws a prominent red line through a sentence that reads "cbd is non-psychoactive. "

The root of this misconception lies in the association between THC’s primary effect of inducing a “high” and its categorization as a psychoactive substance. Many have been led to equate ‘psychoactive’ with being ‘high-causing’. Thus, CBD, which doesn’t cause a “high” similar to THC, is often labeled non-psychoactive.

The result?

The claim that CBD is non-psychoactive is now often being misused in a colloquial sense to mean that CBD doesn’t produce a “high” or the specific intoxicating effects that THC induces. However, stating that CBD is non-psychoactive in the first place, regardless of whether or not it produces a “high,” is where it is technically incorrect.

The term “psychoactive” is broad because it encompasses any substance that has an effect on the mind. Now, given that there is a plethora of evidence that we share below on how CBD impacts mood, anxiety, depression, behavior, and other aspects of cognition, CBD is, by definition, a psychoactive substance.

Definition of Psychoactive

A skilled neurologist in the midst of a diagnostic discussion, intently describes psychoactivity using a brilliantly glowing 3d model of the human brain. The ambient lighting of the clinical setting casts a soft glow, accentuating the intricate neural pathways and structures of the brain model. The neurologist, dressed in a white lab coat and exuding an aura of expertise, draws attention to a specific region, perhaps highlighting an area of concern or interest. Every detail of the model, from the delicate ridges of the cerebral cortex to the deeper structures of the limbic system, is rendered impeccably
A skilled neurologist in the midst of a diagnostic discussion, intently describes psychoactivity using a brilliantly glowing 3d model of the human brain.

At its core, a substance is considered psychoactive if it has an influence on our mental state. More specifically, it should act on the central nervous system and alter aspects such as perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. Thus, by this definition, any substance that shifts one’s mental state is psychoactive.

The immediate question to ask now is, “what do we know about CBD’s ability to affect the mental state upon its consumption?”

Let’s let science and government entities answer this question for us.

Authoritative Findings From Scientific Research Studies

A determined male researcher, at a prestigious global cannabis conference, is standing poised as he presents a comprehensive graph of his research detailing multiple references where the effects of cbd led to psychoactivity in the brain.
A researcher presents a comprehensive graph of his research data detailing multiple references where the consumption of cbd led to psychoactivity in the brain in study participants.

The scientific community has explored the effects of CBD extensively. Below are some of the notable findings from research studies, alongside mentions from authoritative bodies that provide insight into CBD’s influence on the mind and body.

Anti-anxiety and Anti-stress Effects:
A double-blind study on humans published in the “Journal of Psychopharmacology” found that CBD reduces anxiety after a simulated public speaking test. [1]

Effects on Social Anxiety Disorder:
A study in “Neuropsychopharmacology” noted that CBD could change the way participants with social anxiety disorder responded to fearful facial expressions, pointing to an underlying mechanism for its anxiolytic effects. [2]

Antidepressant-like Effects:

  • A study in “Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry” found antidepressant-like effects from CBD in an animal model. [3]
  • A study in “Neuropharmacology” in 2018 showed that CBD has antidepressant-like effects in mice. Again, this is evidence of its psychoactive nature. [4]

Cognition and Psychosis:
A study in “JAMA Psychiatry” found that CBD had a modest effect on cognition in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting potential antipsychotic properties. [5]

Effects on Brain Function in Relation to Psychosis:
Research in “JAMA Psychiatry” showed that CBD could affect the brain’s response to auditory hallucinations, suggesting a potential role in treating disorders like schizophrenia. [6]

Childhood Epilepsy and Cognitive Improvement:
In the journal “Neurology,” researchers found that CBD could not only reduce seizures in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy but also improve certain aspects of cognition and behavior. [7]

Legal Disclaimer:
Although the evidence is extremely promising (as you can see from the references above), none of this information can be taken as medical facts because these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA or approved by the medical society.

My Response To The Above Disclaimer:
The references listed above are only a handful that I gathered. There are many other studies not listed, along with hundreds of thousands of people worldwide that have reported and purported, respectively, that CBD seemed to reduce or did reduce anxiety-like symptoms, feelings of depression, and experience positive changes in behavior and cognitive function.

The Correct Way To Describe CBD

A studious owl, adorned with sophisticated glasses, authoritatively lectures a class on how to properly describe cbd in a whimsically enchanting image. The backdrop of towering trees and filtered sunlight complements the owl's unique forest classroom, culminating in a striking, high-definition, and imaginative portrayal of a never-before-seen, unexpected moment in nature.
A studious owl authoritatively lectures a class on how to properly describe cbd in a whimsically enchanting forest classroom.

A nuanced and more accurate way to describe CBD is:

“CBD, while being psychoactive due to its effects on the mind, is neither intoxicating nor psychotropic. It does not produce the euphoria or ‘high’ that is characteristic of THC.”

The above statement accurately conveys the true nature that while CBD has effects on the mind, it doesn’t produce the characteristic “high” of THC.

Summary

A female author that just finished writing an article on the non-psychotropic nature of cbd, has just inputted the final period to her concluding thoughts as she sits surrounded by the vibrant, technologically-advanced ambiance of a futuristic cannabis city.
A female author inputs the final period to her article on the non-psychotropic nature of cbd as she sits in the vibrant ambiance of a futuristic cannabis city.

In conclusion, CBD meets the criteria of a psychoactive substance as it influences the central nervous system and alters brain function, mood, and behavior. Just because THC is labeled as psychoactive for its specific euphoria-inducing effects doesn’t mean CBD should be excluded from the psychoactive category.

It’s crucial to approach this topic with a nuanced understanding, and not let simplified or misleading terms define the conversation.

Given that this is a topic of medical nature and that I am NOT a medical professional, you shouldn’t take my presented research as medical advice. Instead, present my information with your primary care physician or consult with a medical professional before making any health-related decisions regarding CBD consumption.

If you’re curious to learn more on this topic, visit my highly-cited article that dives deep into comparing psychoactive and psychotropic substances.

Now, I have a question for you! Do you agree with my research findings? Please share your thoughts and let’s spark a community discussion in the comment section below!

References:

  1. Bergamaschi, M. M., Queiroz, R. H., Chagas, M. H., de Oliveira, D. C., De Martinis, B. S., Kapczinski, F., … & Crippa, J. A. (2011). Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121-130.

  2. Crippa, J. A., Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., Wichert-Ana, L., Duran, F. L., Martin-Santos, R., … & Filho, A. S. (2011). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(6), 1219-1226.

  3. Zanelati, T. V., Biojone, C., Moreira, F. A., Guimarães, F. S., & Joca, S. R. (2010). Antidepressant-like effects of Cannabidiol in mice: possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 34(1), 77-83.

  4. Sales, A. J., Crestani, C. C., Guimarães, F. S., & Joca, S. R. L. (2018). Antidepressant-like effect induced by Cannabidiol is dependent on brain serotonin levels. Neuropharmacology, 135, 22-33.

  5. McGuire, P., Robson, P., Cubala, W. J., Vasile, D., Morrison, P. D., Barron, R., … & Wright, S. (2018). Cannabidiol (CBD) as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(3), 299-300.

  6. Bhattacharyya, S., Morrison, P. D., Fusar-Poli, P., Martin-Santos, R., Borgwardt, S., Winton-Brown, T., … & Mehta, M. A. (2010). Opposite effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on human brain function and psychopathology. JAMA Psychiatry, 67(4), 418-424.

  7. Devinsky, O., Marsh, E., Friedman, D., Thiele, E., Laux, L., Sullivan, J., … & Wong, M. (2016). Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Neurology, 87(7), 313-319.
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Christopher Visser
Christopher Visser, a prominent figure in the CBD industry, is the Founder and CEO of Cannabidiol Life and THCGummies.com, as well as the Co-Founder of ChatCBD.com. With experience spanning over several years, Chris has unintentionally proven to the world his love for cannabis. He further solidifies his stance in the industry through his unwavering dedication to advancing cannabis understanding and his relentless approach to research. In 2016, prior to the Farm Bill of 2018, Chris pioneered CannabidiolLife.com, which was considered the first CBD health-specific educational website. The site featured content supported by clinical and scientific research studies, covering 50 of the most common medical conditions where CBD had shown potential therapeutic value. Chris's efforts were recognized by the National Hemp Foundation in 2017, and CannabidiolLife.com served as their online source for "CBD Health Education & Product Guides" for a six-month period. Following the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018, Chris adapted to the changing landscape by transitioning CannabidiolLife.com to CBDOilsAndEdibles.com, focusing on providing the highest-quality CBD products to those who needed them most. The testimonials he received during this period had a profound impact on him, further fueling his passion for cannabis education and research. As a reputable cannabis researcher, blogger, and soon-to-be-author, Christopher Visser is set to release his first book, "The Cannabis Compendium: A Confluence That Goes Beyond the High," in mid-2025. His expertise is rooted in his fundamental belief in putting people first, his extensive analysis of countless cannabis studies, his collaboration with medical professionals, and his personal engagement with thousands of customers over the years. By 2024, Chris had built two thriving cannabis ventures, collectively generating millions in annual sales and expanding across five countries. His unique opportunity to work directly with cannabis consumers through his businesses brings a trustworthy, authoritative, and importantly, unique perspective to the cannabis industry – something that cannot be said often. Chris's dedication to advancing cannabis understanding through research, education, and personal interaction has solidified his position as a trusted expert in the industry.
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