Can you drive after taking CBD?

Cannabidiol ( CBD ) is a relatively new phenomenon in the world of wellness, so it's natural that many questions arise for both beginners and advanced CBD users. One of them is can you drive after taking CBD? Laws do not prohibit driving after using CBD, as it does not cause psychoactive effects. However, some people may experience fatigue or even drowsiness due to their individual reaction to CBD. For this reason, it is not recommended to drive immediately after taking CBD.

CBD oil has become popular worldwide in recent years due to its health benefits. However, the very fact that CBD products are derived from hemp can create misconceptions about their use and safety aspects. A significant number of people still tend to mistakenly believe that CBD causes psychoactive effects. We believe that it is never too late to dispel not only this, but also other CBD myths, so after all - can you drive after consuming CBD?

Note: This and other articles on Hempo's blog are for informational purposes only. According to the directive of the European Commission, cannabidiol is classified as a 'novel food', therefore CBD products should not be used as a food supplement in certain European countries.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol , also known as CBD, is one of over a hundred cannabinoids found naturally in the fibrous hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Unlike the psychoactive component of the hemp plant, tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ), CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce a feeling of euphoria. It is for this reason that CBD has become extremely popular among people who want to experience the health benefits of hemp, but who want to avoid the feeling of intoxication.

Scientific studies show that CBD can help get better sleep and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as suppress inflammatory processes in the body . CBD can also be effective in relieving pain of various origins - it helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and other physical health problems. Almost half of CBD users choose cannabidiol to help them sleep better, while a third use it simply to maintain a normal sense of well-being and restore their body's endocannabinoid system.

As the list of health benefits grows and the range of CBD products expands, more and more people are choosing CBD as an alternative to some traditional medicines or other wellness remedies.

Can CBD cause dizziness while driving?

Although CBD is a natural component of the hemp plant, there is no reason to fear that it can cause a feeling of intoxication. If the CBD product you use does not contain THC or has minimal THC levels, i.e. does not exceed the permissible norm of 0.2%, you will definitely not feel the psychoactive effect.

2015 a scientific study showed that CBD does not cause the psychoactive side effects typical for psychotropic cannabis, and the World Health Organization (WHO) in one of its reports emphasized that CBD is not addictive.

The way CBD interacts with the human body is different from the way THC does, and it is this difference that explains why one can cause intoxication and the other cannot. THC acts on the human body through the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, while CBD does not directly bind to these receptors.

How does CBD affect the body?

According to scientific research, CBD has a positive effect on human brain function, mood and sleep . However, the health potential of CBD does not stop there - CBD positively affects the well-being of our entire body, including:

• Muscle recovery;
• Normal state of the digestive system;
• Pain.

When you consume CBD oil or any other cannabidiol product, the cannabinoids (CBD, CBDA, CBC, etc.) interacts with the endocannabinoid system ( ECS) in your body. This system is a complex cellular signaling network that regulates extremely important functions of the body, maintaining internal balance, also called homeostasis. For this reason, CBD oil can have a regulatory effect on various body processes and functions. The endocannabinoid system includes:

• Endocannabinoids , which are naturally occurring substances in the body, are similar in chemical structure to the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
• Endocannabinoid receptors , also known as CB1 and CB2, which are located in the central and peripheral nervous system and ensure the smooth functioning of various functions in different parts of the body. For example, binding of endocannabinoids to a receptor in the spinal cord may contribute to the relief of physical discomfort.

We have already mentioned that CBD oil has the potential to modulate the functions of the human brain, helping to reduce the symptoms of stress and other emotional disorders. THC also affects human brain function, but this cannabinoid does so by causing psychoactive effects that can impair reaction time and even coordination.

Can you drive after taking CBD?

To answer briefly - CBD does not cause psychoactive effects, so it is definitely possible to drive after taking CBD. CBD has not been shown to impair reaction time, concentration, or otherwise affect human cognition in the way that THC and alcohol do.

CBD products extracted from fibrous hemp, in which the THC content does not exceed 0.2%, are legal in Lithuania. By using legally sold CBD oil or other CBD products, you can have peace of mind while driving. Lithuanian laws prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal narcotic substances, which may have a negative impact on driving ability, but it is important to emphasize that CBD does not cause any negative effects driving skills.

CBD and Driving: Is It Safe?

You've probably already figured out that driving after consuming CBD is safe . We mentioned earlier that CBD works by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors in the human brain - a complex process that affects various functions in our body, such as mood.

Scientific studies to date show that CBD consumption does not have any negative effect on driving ability.

Several research studies have used driving simulation techniques to measure changes in the driving skills of CBD users, such as:

• Reaction rate;
• Ability to keep a safe distance on the road;
• The ability to stay in the right lane.

According to these scientific studies, even large amounts of CBD do not adversely affect driving skills. On the contrary, CBD helps to relax and promotes a sense of calmness. In addition, the endocannabinoid system is also related to the cognitive functions of the brain, so CBD can help improve concentration and memory.

However, in one case, driving after consuming CBD can be dangerous - when severe drowsiness is felt. It is for this reason that it is recommended to evaluate your body's reaction to CBD before driving after taking CBD. The dosage and effect of CBD is individual for each person, so it is always recommended to start with the lowest dose of CBD, which can be increased gradually - this will help you find the CBD dose that suits you personally and experience the desired CBD effect .

Is it worth worrying about driving after taking CBD

Although it is legal to use CBD while driving, and CBD does not cause a feeling of intoxication, CBD can have some side effects that can potentially affect the ability to drive safely.

It is worth noting that these side effects occur very rarely and are usually very mild and pass quickly, but before starting to use CBD, it is important to understand how your body tolerates cannabinoids. Possible CBD side effects that may affect driving include:

• Nausea;
• Dizziness;
• Drowsiness.

CBD side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness can negatively affect reaction speed and ability to focus. If you experience these specific CBD side effects after taking CBD while driving, it is safest not to drive until these side effects have resolved.

If you still have doubts about how CBD can affect your driving ability, you can consult your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are taking medication that can have a negative effect on your driving ability.

Even high doses of CBD do not affect driving

University of Sydney Scholars 2022 a study found that even with high doses of CBD, driving ability remains intact. A study published in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" shows that when taking CBD, even in high doses, no intoxication is observed and it is unlikely that the use of CBD has a negative effect on a person's cognitive functions or driving skills.

A total of 17 subjects participated in this study and received different doses of CBD - 15 mg, 300 mg and 1500 mg. Research participants performed two tasks: during the first task, they were required to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front while driving, and in the second, driving skills were tested on various roads, i.e. both on motorways and narrow roads.

In this study, the researchers evaluated the participants' driving ability, their ability to control the vehicle, the frequency of swerving, as well as their cognitive function, subjective sensations and CBD blood concentration.

The conclusion of the study was that none of the doses of CBD administered to the study participants caused intoxication and did not adversely affect the driving skills or the cognitive functions of the drivers.

CBD and driving: summary

We hope this article has helped you answer the question of whether it is safe to drive after taking CBD. Safe driving requires adequate concentration, so it is natural that a significant number of people want to be assured that the health products they use do not have a negative impact on their driving abilities. CBD does not cause psychoactive effects, so there is no reason to fear that its use can cause intoxication. By purchasing CBD products from trusted manufacturers who ensure the safety and legality of their products through testing at third-party laboratories , you can rest assured that CBD will not have any negative effects on your driving experience.