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Many people find CBD helps relieve their stress. We’ve rounded up the go-to gummies, tinctures, and bath bombs our editors use to chill out, vetted by our experts.
Cannabidiol, widely known as CBD, is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. CBD doesn’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), meaning it’s unlikely you’ll feel “high” when taking it.
While research into the potential effects and benefits of CBD is ongoing, people are using CBD to seek relief for symptoms caused by certain conditions, such as chronic pain, sciatica, anxiety, and insomnia.
It’s no surprise that many people are also turning to CBD to relieve stress.
We rounded up some of the highest-quality products available for stress relief. All of them meet our rigorous safety and quality checks and win high marks from our testers.
We selected these CBD products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
Read more about how we vet products and brands.
We’ve also tested many of the products in this list. Learn more about how we test CBD products.
CBD may help instill a sense of calm in people who take it, which may lower stress levels.
- anxiety
- acute stress
- depression
- panic disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
By dampening the stress response and protecting against chronic stress, CBD may help prevent or treat certain mental health symptoms related to stress.
However, CBD is currently not approved as a treatment for psychiatric conditions.
Meanwhile, one
However, it’s important to remember that CBD doesn’t work for everyone, so it’s a case of trying it and monitoring the results yourself.
Pros
- Emerging research points to potential benefits as a stress reliever.
- Gummies, oils, and bath bombs are easy to use.
- The oil dropper makes it easy to experiment with dosing to find what works for you.
- It’s relatively safe with few to no side effects.
Cons
- Additional research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
- It can be expensive.
- It doesn’t work for everyone.
- It requires patience and experimentation.
The FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products. The only thing the FDA can do is issue warning letters to companies making wild health claims. Despite this, companies can still mislabel and misrepresent their products.
To make sure you’re shopping from a reputable company, check that the products come with an up-to-date, comprehensive COA from a respected third-party lab. We included COAs for every product we recommend above.
Companies should be transparent about where they grow or source their hemp. If a company doesn’t provide transparent information about how and where they make their products, that’s a red flag.
For CBD oils that help with stress specifically, it might be worth looking into products with added anti-stress ingredients, such as adaptogens (like ashwagandha) and lavender.
Because the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD, there aren’t any official recommended dosages for CBD.
If you’re trying CBD for the first time, exploring CBD and seeing what works best for you may be a good idea. Start small and journal your experience to find your optimal dose.
If your doctor hasn’t recommended a particular dosage, start with a small dose of 5 mg to 10 mg of CBD. If this initial dose doesn’t ease your symptoms, try increasing the dose gradually and track how your body reacts.
As for how much CBD is too much,
That said, an animal study suggests that CBD might be linked to liver damage and might negatively interact with some medications. However, the study used high doses of CBD.
If you’re concerned about trying CBD for the first time, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional first.
Many people find that CBD is generally safe to use.
To get started, follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions. Lethargy, stomach upset, nausea, and disorientation are all side effects of taking too much and a sign to reduce the dosage.
There are some reported side effects, including
A
Additionally, CBD might interact with some prescribed medications. It’s important to talk with a doctor before trying CBD in case there are any contraindications.
The research into CBD oil for anxiety and stress so far is promising, but keep in mind that not everyone feels the same effects when taking CBD. That means there’s no single best CBD for anxiety or stress.
Consider pairing oral or topical CBD with other stress management techniques, such as meditation, journaling, and exercise.
The fastest intake method for CBD is sublingual, or beneath the tongue, so that’s a good place to use CBD oil for stress. If you’re using it topically, massaging it into the neck and shoulders can help relieve tension.
At this point, there is no research to suggest the most appropriate time to take CBD. Like dosing, it can take a trial-and-error approach to find a timing that works for your needs. You may want to take CBD in the morning to help manage stress and anxiety or before a particular event.
Keep in mind that the time it takes to notice effects varies depending on the type of CBD you’re using and personal factors like your own metabolism, so a little experimentation is warranted.
That depends on the type of CBD you’re using. Orally administered CBD, like oils and gummies, can begin working within about 30 minutes to 2 hours. Topical CBD can take between 10 minutes and an hour before effects are noticeable.
With such a wide range of CBD products on the market, there’s no shortage of options for people wanting to try CBD and hemp oils to relieve stress.
While more research is needed, preliminary studies show that CBD oil might help relieve stress. This may be good news for people wanting to improve their mental health.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.