Compare the Best CBD Oil for Relaxation in 2022

How CBD May Help With Relaxation

Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabis plant component purported to help relieve anxiety and provide a calming effect⁽¹⁾. Feeling calm and managing anxiety and stress are associated with relaxation⁽²⁾.

CBD interacts with several receptors in the body known to help regulate anxiety levels and fear-related behaviors⁽³⁾. These receptors include the CB1 receptor, serotonin 5HT1A receptor, and the TRPV1 receptor.

CB1 receptors are abundant within the brain and present in the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissues⁽⁴⁾. Activating these receptors may produce anxiolytic effects that may help enhance fear extinction and prevent fear reconsolidation⁽⁵⁾.

Meanwhile, serotonin 5-HT1A receptors reside within the nervous system and may influence behaviors associated with anxiety and depression⁽⁶⁾.

On the other hand, TRPV1 receptors are widely expressed in vascular cells, muscle cells, and sensory nerve fibers⁽⁷⁾. These receptors play an essential role in mediating inflammation, pain perception, and body temperature⁽⁸⁾.

Pain is among the symptoms of anxiety⁽⁹⁾, and CBD may provide a calming effect to help with anxiety⁽¹⁰⁾.

CBD also works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)⁽¹¹⁾. Clinical and preclinical data suggest that ECS signaling plays a role in regulating anxiety and depression⁽¹²⁾.

Further clinical trials and research are needed to conclusively determine how CBD’s therapeutic effects may help with relaxation and manage anxiety.

Uses and Benefits of CBD for Relaxation

CBD’s anti-anxiety and calming properties may help individuals experience better sleep through relaxation and anxiety relief, leading to better rest quality⁽¹³⁾.

One study showed that CBD may help improve sleep significantly compared to placebo⁽¹⁴⁾. Improved sleep is associated with physical and mental relaxation⁽¹⁵⁾.

A placebo is a treatment or medication with no active properties. One such example is a sugar pill⁽¹⁶⁾.

Another study suggested that CBD may help reduce acute heart rate and blood pressure increases caused by restraint stress⁽¹⁷⁾, which is associated with immobilization. Managing stress is an essential part of relaxation⁽¹⁸⁾.

Existing preclinical evidence also suggests that CBD may help manage various anxiety disorders, including⁽¹⁹⁾:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): A persistent or excessive worry about numerous things.
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD): An intense fear or anxiety of being negatively evaluated, judged, or rejected in a social situation.
• Panic disorder: A sudden feeling of terror or panic attack even when there is no real danger.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Characterized by recurring thoughts or sensations that may drive you to do something repetitively.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition triggered by a past terrifying event you witnessed or experienced.

CBD may also help with fear extinction, which involves activating the CB1 receptors to help inhibit fear responses⁽²⁰⁾. Fear can cause anxiety in a person⁽²¹⁾. Thus, managing anxiety is essential in achieving relaxation⁽²²⁾.

How to Use CBD Oil for Relaxation

There are various delivery methods to help you control how you prefer to take CBD to help with relaxation. These methods include:

• Ingestion: Oral administration allows CBD to pass through the digestive tract before the drug spreads into the bloodstream.

Orally administered CBD oil products have a long effect duration, making them preferable for providing an all-night effect⁽²³⁾.

Some CBD brands may claim that their CBD products, such as capsules or gummies, are formulated to help with sleep or provide a calming effect.

These products may be unflavored or come in various flavors, such as mint chocolate, peppermint, or other natural flavors to cater to individual preferences.

While some individuals may prefer ingested CBD products, there is limited scientific evidence that these products are the best choice for calming or relaxation.

• Sublingual administration: Applying CBD oil sublingually or under the tongue allows the drug to enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the digestive tract.

CBD oil tinctures are typically delivered sublingually using droppers. Tinctures also contain carrier oils such as coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil) to dilute the CBD concentrate.

Hemp seed oil extracted from hemp seeds usually does not contain CBD⁽²⁴⁾.

CBD tinctures may have an earthy flavor. Thus, some individuals may prefer mixing them with food or drinks⁽²⁵⁾. Many CBD brands sell tinctures in 30 ml bottles.

Other sublingually administered products include tablets, oromucosal sprays, and high-potency oils.

• Topical application: Topicals are CBD products applied to the skin. CBD topicals do not get absorbed into the bloodstream and instead provide pain relief to a specific area⁽²⁶⁾.

Examples of types of CBD topicals include CBD creams, balms, lotions, and ointments.

• Inhalation: CBD may be administered through vaping or smoking. Inhalation affects the lungs and brain before the drug is distributed throughout the body⁽²⁷⁾.

Inhalation is the fastest way to administer cannabis, making the method appropriate for problems like acute pain or nausea⁽²⁸⁾.

Be advised that vapes can cause health risks associated with lung disease⁽²⁹⁾. Exercise caution and be wary of these effects before smoking or vaping CBD.

If you have existing medical conditions, consult a doctor or health care professional for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment before trying CBD.

CBD Dosage for Relaxation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any CBD dosage guide specific to relaxation or anxiety.

If you are new to using CBD, consider starting with a low dose and gradually increasing the dosage⁽³⁰⁾.

For CBD-rich products, one suggestion is to start with a 10 milligram (mg) dose per day. If they contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), begin with a low THC dose of 1 to 2.5mg⁽³¹⁾.

THC is a psychoactive chemical that produces the “high” typically associated with marijuana usage⁽³²⁾.

One study showed that humans may tolerate a high dose of up to 1,500 mg of CBD daily⁽³³⁾.

Your CBD dosage may vary from other individuals due to factors like exercise, diet, stress levels, health conditions, and genetics⁽³⁴⁾.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Relaxation?

Currently, there are no conclusive human trials determining CBD onset times specific for relaxation.

Orally ingested CBD products may require around 30 to 90 minutes before taking effect. For sublingual or transdermal routes, the onset time is approximately 15 to 30 minutes. CBD administered through inhalation may take effect in about 2 to 15 minutes⁽³⁵⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help With Relaxation?

There is limited clinical data on the duration of CBD’s effects on relaxation.

In general, the duration of CBD’s effects may vary depending on the delivery route. CBD administered orally may remain effective for six to eight hours, while CBD delivered through sublingual, topical, or inhalation methods may last for two to four hours⁽³⁶⁾.

One review published in Frontiers of Pharmacology stated that CBD administered orally may have a half-life of two to five days⁽³⁷⁾.

The same review also mentioned that CBD oromucosal sprays administered at 5mg and 20mg doses may have a half-life of 1.4 and 10.9 hours, respectively.

Half-life is the time it takes for a medication’s quantity or concentration in the body to be reduced by 50%.

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Relaxation

The side effects of using CBD specifically for relaxation or anxiety have not been thoroughly researched. However, one study stated that the commonly reported side effects of CBD are diarrhea, tiredness, and changes to appetite or body weight⁽³⁸⁾.

In another study conducted on individuals who were prescribed CBD oil, researchers mentioned that some participants experienced vivid dreams and sedation⁽³⁹⁾.

In general, CBD may cause tolerable side effects among humans, such as fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, appetite loss, and diarrhea⁽⁴⁰⁾.

How to Shop for CBD Products for Relaxation

When selecting the best CBD oil for anxiety or relaxation, you should consider the extraction methods, lab test results, CBD product types, and your administration preferences.

Extraction Methods

Manufacturers obtain CBD and other compounds from the cannabis plant using various extraction processes, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), ethanol, or hydrocarbon techniques.

• CO2 extraction: This method uses highly pressurized and liquefied carbon dioxide for CBD extraction. Many CBD suppliers consider this method the safest way to extract CBD⁽⁴¹⁾.
• Ethanol extraction: This technique utilizes ethanol as a solvent for extracting CBD from cannabis. For centuries, many cultures have used ethanol extraction to derive medicinal compounds from cannabis plants⁽⁴²⁾.
• Hydrocarbon extraction: This method uses hydrocarbon solvents like butane or propane to extract CBD from hemp plants.

Hydrocarbons are flammable and neurotoxic. If the solvents are not properly purged from the extracted CBD, they may be ingested accidentally and become a health hazard.

Manufacturers consider this method effective in extracting CBD as long as proper procedures are followed⁽⁴³⁾.

Product Categorization

After extracting the hemp extract and processing it into CBD oil, manufacturers categorize it as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.

Full-spectrum CBD oil, also called full-spectrum hemp oil, contains all beneficial compounds from the cannabis plant. These compounds include terpenes, flavonoids, and THC.

Terpenes are essential oil constituents that produce a distinct aroma⁽⁴⁴⁾. Meanwhile, flavonoids are substances in plants that act as antioxidants and antimicrobials⁽⁴⁵⁾.

Combining these compounds in full-spectrum CBD oil may create an “entourage effect.” This phenomenon is characterized by the active cannabis compounds working together synergistically to provide better therapeutic results⁽⁴⁶⁾.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains most cannabinoids and compounds in full-spectrum products. However, broad-spectrum CBD products do not contain THC.

CBD isolates contain only pure CBD. These products are THC-free and do not include any other cannabinoids or compounds.

If you plan to purchase CBD products without THC because of the compound’s psychoactive effects, consider buying broad-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolates.

Individual Preferences

Your preferences should be factored in when deciding what high-quality CBD product to purchase.

Some consumers may prefer gluten-free or non-GMO CBD products. Others may choose products made from organic hemp supplied by American hemp farms.

Other individuals may choose a product based on personal goals like wellness or mental health. Still, some customers may prefer brands with good customer reviews, discount offers, or money-back guarantees.

Third-Party Lab Tests

Transparent and reputable CBD companies typically provide a certificate of analysis (COA) for their CBD products.

Third-party labs provide these COAs, which contain details of a CBD product’s actual content. Third-party testing and analysis are industry-standard procedures to minimize the concerns surrounding falsely labeled products⁽⁴⁷⁾.

Many third-party labs also provide COAs that show whether the product has harmful contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or solvents, that can be a health hazard to consumers.

When looking for high-quality products, consider buying from CBD brands that provide complete and updated COAs on their websites. You may use the COAs to compare their results with the product label information and check for consistency.

Legality of CBD

The legality of using medical cannabis or CBD oil varies among states. Before buying CBD products, consumers must review and understand their state’s laws regarding CBD use.

Some U.S. states with legalized medical cannabis programs as of February 2022 include California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New York⁽⁴⁸⁾.

Under federal law, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC are considered illegal⁽⁴⁹⁾.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp-based CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act⁽⁵⁰⁾. The law also establishes a regulatory framework for producing hemp in the United States⁽⁵¹⁾.

Presently, the only FDA-approved CBD product is Epidiolex, a prescription medication to treat seizures associated with epilepsy⁽⁵²⁾.

The FDA warns that marketing or labeling CBD products as dietary supplements or food additives is illegal. The agency has limited data about CBD’s safety and advises that real risks must be considered before using CBD⁽⁵³⁾.

What Is Relaxation?

Relaxation is characterized by being free from tension or anxiety⁽⁵⁴⁾. Engaging in various relaxation practices provides numerous benefits, such as⁽⁵⁵⁾:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Slowing heart rate
• Improving digestion
• Maintaining normal blood sugar levels
• Improving blood flow to major muscles
• Enhancing mood and concentration
• Lowering fatigue
• Slowing breathing rate
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing stress hormone activity
• Decreasing muscle tension
• Lessening frustration and anger

Doctors and health professionals can recommend or teach various relaxation techniques, such as⁽⁵⁶⁾:

• Autogenic relaxation: Using body awareness and visual imagery to reduce stress.

One example is to imagine a peaceful setting and perform controlled and relaxed breathing.

• Visualization: Taking a visual journey to a calming place or situation using mental images.

For example, you may imagine relaxing near the ocean and thinking of the warmth of the sun, the scent of the sea, and the sound of waves.

• Progressive muscle relaxation: Focusing on slowly tensing and relaxing various muscle groups.

            One method is to tense and relax your toe muscles and progressively work up to the neck and head.