Do CBD bath bombs actually have beneficial effects, or are they just a marketing-driven fad?
Many people and companies claim that they don’t work at all, and others make outlandish claims about their benefits — including that bath bombs infused with THC, another cannabinoid, can get you high.
Based on science, the answer is actually somewhere in the middle: CBD bath bombs have potential benefits, but they aren’t as powerful as CBD oil or CBD edibles because of the way they deliver the cannabinoids to your body.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of CBD bath bombs, talk about how to use them, and discuss what to look for when buying them.
What Are CBD Bath Bombs?
Bath bombs are skincare products that are designed to diffuse in bathwater. They’re typically comprised of soothing or therapeutic extracts, such as essential oil, as well as fragrances.
When placed in water, bath bombs dissolve, dispersing their ingredients throughout the tub and creating fizz and other novel effects.
CBD bath bombs are regular bath bombs but with CBD added as a therapeutic extract. When used, they deliver the soothing benefits of CBD to your skin along with the calming experience of a bath bomb.
Are CBD Bath Bombs Actually Beneficial?
There is a debate around whether cannabinoid-infused bath bombs actually work. Those who say they don’t work typically cite the fact that the CBD from bath bombs is very diluted when you put it in your tub.
They also posit that the CBD in the water doesn’t reach your bloodstream, so it doesn’t work altogether.
On the other hand, some people and companies claim that bath bombs infused with THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid, can get you high. Or that bath bombs with CBD have a direct impact on your mental health.
All of these claims are incorrect, and here’s why:
The CBD in bath bombs doesn’t reach your bloodstream, but it does reach your endocannabinoid system (which we’ll explain in a moment), so it is still able to render benefits.
Dilution isn’t a problem, as enough of the CBD will reach your skin to have an effect. CBD oil naturally clings to surfaces (either the tub or you) as it’s water repellant.
However, the part about the THC or CBD being able to work in the brain is also wrong. That’s because the endocannabinoid system receptors that the CBD in bath bombs are able to reach don’t render control over your mental state, but rather your physical state.
So CBD bath bombs have benefits — just not the ones you might have been told about. But they certainly aren’t made simply to take people’s money.
How CBD Bath Bombs Work
All types of CBD products work by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a regulatory system in your body responsible for controlling almost every vital function.
By supporting the ECS, CBD is able to render a variety of benefits for stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep support, and more.
There are two types of ECS receptors:
- CB1 receptors, which are principally responsible for managing how CBD interacts with your mind
- CB2 receptors, which are principally responsible for managing how CBD interacts with your body
The CB2 receptors are located near the surface of the skin, whereas the CB1s are internal. This means CBD from a bath bomb is really only able to stimulate the CB2 receptors and affect the way your body feels — your pain response, inflammatory response, and so on.
But it can’t do things like relax you (at least not directly), or in the case of THC in a bath bomb, make you feel high.
Benefits of CBD Bath Bombs: How They Can Help
In this section, we’ll explore what CBD bath bombs can help with.
Pain & Inflammation
Research suggests CBD may exert pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects by supporting your endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Some studies show CBD works for pain by increasing your levels of anandamide, a neurotransmitter in your ECS that’s associated with reduced pain sensations. More research on how CBD works in the body is needed.
Anecdotally, CBD may have therapeutic potential for both chronic and acute pain. We’ve had customers find great results with CBD for gout, joint pain, tendonitis, arthritis, tooth pain, and neuropathic pain, as well as general mobility.
In a bath, you’re unlikely to experience the level of benefit of taking CBD through edibles or oil, due to the dilution and the fact that not all the CBD will come into contact with your skin. However, you will still experience some benefits from the CBD, combined with the benefits of a warm bath.
Stress & Anxiety
Earlier, we mentioned that due to the way CBD bath bombs work, they aren’t able to convey any of CBD’s mind-focused benefits.
However, the act of soaking in a warm bath can have therapeutic mental effects according to scientific research.
Additionally, any improvement in your physical condition that CBD may bring about will contribute to the way you feel mentally. Research shows that pain itself is a stressor.
Pain and inflammation contribute to an overall worsening of your quality of life, as well as getting less sleep, both of which can compound mental distress.
In this way, CBD bath bombs combined with a warm bath may render therapeutic potential against stress and anxiety.
Skin Health
Preliminary research suggests CBD may render therapeutic benefits for eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. Together with the essential oils and other soothing ingredients in bath bombs, CBD may promote overall skin health.
CBD bath bombs aren’t as effective as topical CBD products, due to the fact that a portion of the CBD they contain won’t reach your skin.
However, they may still render some skin-supporting benefits which, combined with their other benefits, make them a viable therapeutic option.
Benefits of Baths
In addition to the specific benefits of CBD-infused baths, bathing (in this case, “bathing” refers to filling a tub with water and getting in it, rather than showering) has benefits of its own.
Research suggests bathing may:
- Improve cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, and immune health due to increasing your blood and oxygen circulation
- Help tight or sore muscles and joints relax, especially with the addition of Epsom salt
- Boost levels of endorphins, a hormone associated with feelings of well-being and lowered pain sensations
- Improve sleep quality afterward
Generally, research shows that bathing improves overall physical and emotional health.
How to Use a CBD Bath Bomb
In theory, using a CBD bath bomb is as simple as filling the tub with hot water and throwing the bath bomb in. But there’s more to it.
Here are some best practices to employ to ensure you get the most out of your bath bomb:
- Fill your tub only to the lowest level you need in order to cover yourself with water. The less water you have in the tub, the more concentrated the CBD and other ingredients will be as the bath bomb dissolves.
- Soak in your warm CBD bath for at least 20 minutes. This ensures you absorb as much CBD as possible.
- Although some CBD bath bombs are better for your skin than others, it’s a good idea to shower after using one, as you may have sensitivities to certain ingredients (even natural ones).
Where to Buy the Best CBD Bath Bombs
So, where should you buy CBD bath bombs? And what should you look for when buying them?
Start by asking what not to look for.
Among other things, some ingredients to avoid in bath bombs are artificial dyes, talc, parabens, and glitter. Ingredients like these can cause…
- Skin irritation — dryness, redness, inflammation, and rashes
- Vaginal irritation & vaginal infection
- Hormone disruption
Not good at all.
At Natural Ways CBD, we believe there’s nothing beautiful about fake ingredients.
To avoid making you soak in a cocktail of chemical preservatives and synthetic fragrances in order to get benefits, our handmade bath bombs feature:
- 300mg (yes, 300mg) of full-spectrum CBD — Full-spectrum extracts don’t just contain CBD; they also contain CBG, CBN, THC, and other beneficial cannabinoids that will contribute to the physically soothing effects of CBD.
- Essential oils for fragrance and soothing — Essential oils have a variety of soothing and cleansing benefits on their own, and they smell great.
- Natural dyes for coloring — Harmful synthetic dyes don’t belong in a nice, soothing bath.
In other words, when you use our CBD bath bombs, you don’t have to question whether they work and are safe.
Conclusion: Are CBD Bath Bombs Worth It?
If you google “CBD bath bomb benefits”, you’ll see a variety of potential benefits being claimed (or refuted) by people and companies alike.
The truth is that CBD bath bombs, due to how they work, aren’t as effective or potent as other CBD products. But they still do have benefits. While they won’t directly promote mental relaxation, they will contribute to physical relaxation and soothing.
CBD bath bombs aren’t meant to work as CBD oil or CBD gummies do; they’re meant to enhance your warm bath with the benefits of CBD — and that they do.
CBD Bath Bomb Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions customers frequently ask us about the benefits of CBD bath bombs.
What are the benefits of CBD bath bombs?
CBD bath bombs deliver the physically relaxing benefits of CBD along with other beneficial essential oils and fragrances commonly found in bath bombs. CBD bath bombs may have therapeutic potential for pain, inflammation, and sleep.
What will a CBD bath bomb do?
CBD bath bombs won’t affect your mental state, but the CBD in them will reach the CB2 receptors in your endocannabinoid system, promoting physical relaxation. Research suggests CBD may have therapeutic potential for pain and inflammation. Overall, CBD bath bombs give you an extra boost of relaxation beyond the normal bath experience.
Are CBD baths good for you?
CBD baths are good for you in many different ways.
Not only is CBD a cannabinoid with a variety of physically soothing properties, but warm bathing, in general, may promote cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary health, as well as mental relaxation and well-being.
How long do you sit in a CBD bath?
When taking a CBD bath, soak in the tub for at least 20 minutes to get the full effects of the CBD and other ingredients included in the bath bomb.
Do CBD bath bombs make you sleepy?
Although the CBD in bath bombs will reach your endocannabinoid system, it won’t impact the way you feel mentally. As such, if you feel sleepy after using a CBD bath bomb, it’s due to the generally soothing effects of bathing, as well as any soothing fragrances used in the bath bomb.
Are there side effects to using CBD bath bombs?
There are no known side effects to using CBD topically, however, some bath bombs may contain ingredients that can cause skin irritation and rashes if used too often. Ensure you purchase a product made with natural ingredients, and that you shower after using your CBD bath bomb.
How often can you safely use CBD bath bombs?
The frequency with which you can safely soak in a CBD bath depends on a variety of factors, including whether you have particularly sensitive skin, as well as the ingredients in the bath bomb you’re using. A safe bet, in the beginning, is to use a CBD bath bomb once a week until you get a better feel for how your skin reacts.
