CBD · Cannabidiol
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring, non-intoxicating compound found in hemp. It is the most studied cannabinoid after THC and is widely used in wellness products such as oils, gummies and topicals, without producing a “high”.
Cannabidiol is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it does not bind strongly to the brain’s CB1 receptors, so it does not cause intoxication. This is why CBD products can be formulated to be clear-headed and suitable for daytime use.
How CBD is used
CBD is taken as an oil under the tongue, in pre-measured gummies or capsules, applied to the skin as a balm or cream, or added to beverages. The right format depends on how quickly you want effects and how precisely you want to control your serving.
- Oils, flexible, fast-acting, precise dosing
- Gummies & capsules, convenient, pre-measured
- Topicals, targeted to a specific area
- Beverages, easy, social, lower strength
Why it matters
CBD is the foundation of the whole category. Understanding that it is non-intoxicating, lab-testable and available in many formats is the starting point for choosing a product with confidence.
Related products
Related terms
CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid often called the “mother cannabinoid” because its acidic form, CBGA, is the precursor the plant converts into CBD, THC and other cannabinoids.
CBNCBN (cannabinol) is a mildly active cannabinoid formed as THC ages and oxidises. It is non-intoxicating at the levels used in hemp wellness products and is most commonly associated with evening and sleep-focused formulas.
THCTHC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the intoxicating cannabinoid responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis. Hemp-derived wellness products are formulated to contain only trace, region-compliant amounts, or none at all.
Full-spectrumFull-spectrum CBD contains the complete range of naturally occurring hemp compounds, CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes and trace, compliant THC. The compounds are thought to work together in what is called the entourage effect.
Endocannabinoid SystemThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a signalling network in the human body involved in regulating processes such as mood, sleep, appetite and the response to stress. Cannabinoids like CBD interact with this system.
Frequently asked
Will CBD get me high?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating. Hemp-derived CBD products contain only trace, legally compliant THC, and broad-spectrum and isolate options contain none.
Is CBD the same as hemp oil?
Not quite, “hemp seed oil” is pressed from seeds and contains little to no CBD, while CBD oil is an extract standardised for cannabidiol content.
- NIH NCCIH, Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids
- World Health Organization, Cannabidiol Critical Review
Last updated 2026-06-29. Educational information only, not medical advice. meryjwellness.com