The demand for CBD products has continued to grow, especially as more scientific evidence shows the medical and therapeutic properties of the cannabinoid. CBD has shown to be effective in helping with a wide range of health issues, including improving sleep, reducing stress, and even improving heart health.

Another reason why CBD has become so popular is that it can be taken in all sorts of ways. There are chewy, deliciously fruity gummy bears, traditional capsules, topical products, and even vape pens. This makes it all that much easier to find a product that easily fits into your daily routine.

While there are dozens of benefits to taking CBD, there is still a lot of misunderstanding and skepticism when it comes to the cannabinoid. A lot of people wonder if it’s safe to drive after consuming CBD products. If you’re worried about this exact scenario, we’ve got you covered.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about taking CBD and driving.

Are CBD Products Legal?
CBD and marijuana aren’t the same. This is one of the biggest misconceptions that people have about CBD. While CBD is a cannabinoid like THC, which is found in marijuana, the two aren’t the same.

Ever since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD has been legal at the federal level. While different countries around the world have different rules in regards to legality, most countries have legalized CBD.

In the U.S. and in Europe, CBD is only legal if it contains a low amount of THC. In the U.S., legal CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC. In Europe and other countries, the amount is generally 0.2%.

While there are CBD products that don’t contain any THC, such as those made with CBD isolate, products that do contain THC aren’t psychoactive. Because the amount of THC is negligible, there's no need to worry about feeling altered in any way.

Driving While Taking CBD
Many people question whether or not it’s safe to drive while taking CBD because they confuse it with THC. Others worry if the relaxing side effects that CBD causes could interfere with safe driving.

When used properly, it’s safe to drive while taking CBD. When taken, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are responsible for regulating appetite, managing pain, mood, and other functions.

While CBD can alter your mood and will make you feel calmer, it doesn’t do so in an intoxicating way. Your ability to drive won't be hindered. If anything, your driving skills may improve because you’re more focused. CBD helps with racing thoughts, stress, and anxiety, which can impact your ability to focus on the road and other drivers around you.

However, it’s worth noting that CBD does have a few mild side effects that could impact your ability to drive. These side effects include:

● Lightheadedness
● Drowsiness
● Nausea
● Fatigue

The good news is that these side effects can generally be avoided by simply lowering your dosage. If you feel any negative side effects from a CBD product, it’s safest to stop using it. Everyone reacts differently to CBD, so it’s important to pay attention to how you feel when taking any product.

Tips for Driving While Taking CBD
It’s entirely safe to operate a vehicle while taking CBD. But, there are some tips that you’ll want to know to ensure that you’re safe behind the wheel when taking a CBD product.

Choose a High Quality Product
If you’re new to taking CBD, one of the first things you want to do is to ensure that you’re using a high quality product. Because the CBD industry is largely unregulated, there are plenty of low quality products that have made their way onto the market.

To ensure you’re buying a worthwhile product that will deliver the results you want, take the time to research the brand and product. You can find helpful information on CBD review sites such as CBDStudy and CBDGrade. It’s also beneficial to read customer reviews to see what previous buyers have to say.

By researching a brand or product before you make a purchase, you can buy with confidence. You can’t expect to get good results from a low qualityCBD product. In fact, buying a low quality product could expose you to higher levels of THC, which could make driving dangerous.

Dose Low & Slow
Dosing low and slow is especially important if you’re new to taking CBD products. Everyone reacts to CBD differently, and one of the worst things you could do is take too much too soon. Too much of a good thing can be problematic!

When taking CBD for the first time, choose a product that offers a low dosage, such as 5mg or 10mg. Over time you will slowly increase the dosage until you find your sweet spot. By not taking too much CBD too soon, you minimize the risk of harmful side effects.

It may also be ideal to avoid taking CBD right before driving, especially long distances. This is especially important if you aren’t sure how your body will react to CBD.

Listen to Your Body (and Brain!)
You know what’s best for you, and only you know what your mind and body are telling you. If at any point you feel lightheaded or “off” when driving, pull over and stop the car. While you may not be feeling that way because of CBD, it’s best to let the feelings pass without having to worry about driving safely.

Drive with Less Stress
Driving can be stressful, especially when there’s a lot of traffic to deal with. If being behind the wheel stresses you out at times, taking CBD may be just the remedy you need. Taking CBD when driving is a much safer decision once you understand your personal tolerance level and how the compound impacts you.

Conclusion
If you’re worried about consuming CBD products while driving, have no fear! Driving while taking CBD products is safe. You can avoid side effects by taking the appropriate dosage and are listening to your body.

Make driving a lot less stressful and enjoy being on the road by taking CBD before you go.