CBD and driving a car. What are the results of the study?
Driving a car or other means of transport after taking any cannabinoid from cannabis is definitely not recommended. Dr. Thomas Arkell wondered why this is so when we classify CBD as a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. What did he manage to figure out?
It is common knowledge that users of substances contained in cannabis (cannabinoids) use them extensively for their therapeutic effects. At the same time, however, they do not wish to be limited by example when traveling by car. So how much do cannabinoids affect us while driving? Another aspect is the drug test, which we can undergo just on the way to work, or even in the work environment. Every user has definitely thought about the potential results of such a test at least once. Sometimes it's fear, sometimes it's curiosity. However, none of us is likely to avoid this question. So how is it?
Let's look together at a scientific study that deals with driving a car after taking CBD.
A study of CBD and its effect on driving
A 2020 study, which was led by Dr. Thomas Arkell, gained very valuable knowledge about driving a car after the application CBD and other cannabinoids. She was able to determine that in recent years, a highly sought-after substance called cannabidiol (CBD) it has no influence on our behavior behind the wheel. This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is mainly used for its therapeutic application (against pain, stress, anxiety...). In contrast, only a moderate dose of illegal THC was able to cause significantly impaired driving ability for up to 4 hours. Hexahydrocannabinol aka HHC is not mentioned in this study, but it is highly likely that the result would be very similar to the use of THC.
“These findings indicate for the first time that CBD, when administered without THC, does not affect a subject's ability to drive. This is great news for those using or considering treatment with CBD products”
Dr. Thomas Arkel, lead researcher of the study
Dr Thomas Arkell's research was carried out under the auspices Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney. She was selected for the place of study Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Most likely because of the legislative status of THC.
The medical cannabis market has been continuously on the rise in recent years, although all possible positive effects of cannabinoids on our organism are still not explored. The widely used (and legal in our country) CBD ranks among the very gentle cannabinoids. It occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, is non-psychoactive and at the same time works very well for anxiety, pain and in the treatment of various types of addiction. In this study, the experts also included the substance THC, which is often mentioned and has been used since ancient times, which is contained in high-potency cannabis, which we commonly call marijuana.
CBD study principle and management
As part of the study, participants took different combinations of cannabinoids to see how they worked together. After 40 minutes of use, the test subjects went on a 100 kilometer drive under controlled conditions on public roads. The testing was also carried out in the same way after 4 hours from the application. CBD hemp did not cause a change in driver behavior on the road, while hemp containing a mixture of THC + CBD and hemp s THC caused significantly worse results. In the second round of testing after 4 hours, the differences between the individual cannabinoids were not very striking.
Dr. Arkell says that depending on the changing cannabis laws around the world, jurisdictions are grappling with the problem of cannabis-impaired driving. The results of this study therefore provide much-needed knowledge about the extent and duration of intoxication caused by different types of cannabis, which can help to objectively set the rules of safe road traffic.
According to the doctor, the results should enable the adoption of evidence-based laws and regulations for people who use medical cannabis in Australia, and by extension other states. At the same time, the use of CBD hemp should also be viewed differently, which, according to him, does not affect the ability to drive a car in any way.
According to the Lambert Initiative's academic director, Iain McGregor, the results should reassure people using CBD-only products that it is most likely safe to drive after consuming them. At the same time, they should also help patients using THC-dominant products to understand how long their senses are affected, educate them on the issue and thus prevent problems caused by, for example, lack of information.
Method of investigation
A total of 26 volunteers took part in the testing. All participants were given cannabis with different combinations cannabinoids. This was followed by a 100-kilometer highway journey in a double-wheel-drive car with a driving school instructor in the car. The accumulated results were processed with the help of a proven technological device that measures the standard deviation of the vehicle position (SDLP), the lane departure index and the total deviation. SDLP increases, for example, after consuming alcohol or drugs.
Study participants always used one of four varieties of cannabis:
- THC marijuana
- CBD hemp
- A combination of THC and CBD hemp
- Technical cannabis without active ingredients
In the case of marijuana, aka high-potency cannabis, the dose was chosen to cause strong intoxication. The result of this study was the finding that the effect of CBD on driving is de facto non-existent if it is a combination of CBD and THC. In the case of THC, its negative impact on behavior behind the wheel was already known in the past, but this is probably the first study that also looked at the duration of the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol itself on our organism, as far as driving a car is concerned.
Drug Test: How Are Cannabinoids Doing?
First of all, it should be emphasized that we definitely do not recommend getting behind the wheel of a vehicle immediately after the onset of the effect of any cannabinoid. The relaxation caused by cannabis may not be ideal for driving.
When it comes to drug testing, CBD has been proven to metabolize in the body in a different way than delta-9-THC, so you don't have to worry about a drug test. This particularly applies to random testing at work. However, a problem with the use of CBD hemp in a drug test can arise. This is due to the unregulated market, where many sellers sell CBD with many times higher THC content than they officially declare.
Let's take as an example one such research in Germany, where in 67 products scientists found a higher than permitted THC content. As a result, it was a full quarter of the tested products! Therefore, as always, we recommend that you buy only from verified sellers, where similar problems are excluded.
Regarding HHC, it has not yet been officially proven whether the test would be positive or negative. However, according to the latest research and user experience, it seems very likely that the test will be positive. This is primarily due to the high similarity with THC, where these cannabinoids metabolize in the same way in both cases. If you expect to be drug tested, you should avoid consuming THC, Avoid HHC and any other psychoactive cannabinoids completely!
Do you need help?
If anything is not clear to you and/or you want advice on the selection, please write to us below in the comments below the post, via contact form or send us a question by e-mail info@miralecbd.cz. Thank you.
Our tip: look at map of branded cannabis stores Miracle CBD, where you have the unique opportunity to consult your needs with professionally trained staff from our team. We have all products in stock, so you don't have to wait for delivery by courier and you can take the products home the same day. We have been bringing you the unrivaled best CBD, HHC and kratom since 2020!
Klatovy store – Viennese 31 | Shop Ml. Boleslav – Železná 162 | Shop J. Hradec – Masarykovo nám. 1
NOTICE: Cannabis and kratom products are exclusively for collector, industrial and technical purposes. Alternatively for further sale and processing. In no case are they intended for consumption, inhalation or smoking! The described effects are purely informative. Company Miracle CBD does not approve or otherwise support the abuse and sale of psychotropic and narcotic substances!