A very large percentage of those who take CBD regularly are seeking relief from anxiety. Dozens of studies have shown that CBD can help with many different forms of anxiety, from work stress to generalized anxiety and even including social panic disorder. People today are better educated than ever on the benefits of CBD for anxiety. However, there are still a few misconceptions that often prevent people from enjoying the full benefits of the molecule.
For example, many people are still under the impression that CBD must be taken orally in order to be effective against anxiety. However, using topical CBD for anxiety could be one of the most effective ways to get the benefits of cannabidiol quickly. In this article, we’ll go over the benefits of using CBD cream for anxiety and some practical tips on how to do it. We’ll also present to you our top picks for the best high-quality topical products.
The Benefits of CBD Cream for Anxiety
CBD is a phytocannabinoid: a molecule found in cannabis that can have an effect on your endocannabinoid system. This biological system is a very important and largely underappreciated system that controls anxiety, your stress response, pain, inflammation, and much more.
Research has found that when you take CBD, it gives a boost to your whole endocannabinoid system. And because this system is responsible for regulating anxiety, CBD can lower it almost instantly. To experience relief from anxiety, CBD has to reach endocannabinoid receptors, which are found all over the body.
Many people choose to start with CBD edibles like gummies, capsules, or pure CBD oil. Those can be very effective because they reach your whole endocannabinoid system after going through your digestive tract. However, this is not the only way to take CBD.
CBD can also be applied as a topical. When you massage it into your skin, it can reach those endocannabinoid receptors found just under the first layer of the epidermis. This is a relatively fast process, after just 10 to 15 minutes, you can start to experience relief from anxiety, pain and inflammation. Today, there are many topical CBD products that work very well for people with anxiety: they are thick and potent enough to give you the relief you need from just a small dose applied to your temples or forehead. Below are three tips on how to use topical CBD for anxiety.
Getting the most out of topical CBD for Anxiety: 3 Tips
Take CBD every day
Research has found that a single dose of CBD can lower anxiety significantly. For example, this 2019 study observed that people were a lot more relaxed when facing a high-stress situation after taking a high dose of CBD. However, the doses used in these studies are very high, amounting to hundreds of milligrams.
If you want to feel relief from anxiety on a regular basis, it may be more efficient to take it every day. If you use CBD on a daily basis, the molecule builds up in your system. Over time, it becomes more and more effective and you may find that your whole relationship with your anxiety changes.
So even on days when you’re not feeling anxious, taking CBD makes sense because it strengthens your endocannabinoid system and makes you more resistant when you encounter anxiety-inducing situations.
Apply CBD to your temples or around your head
The best way to use topical CBD for anxiety is to apply a thick CBD balm to your temples, forehead, or the nape of your neck. There are a lot of endocannabinoid receptors around these areas, and they are likely to give you the fastest relief from anxiety.
Simply use a dollop-sized amount of potent CBD balm, and massage it into your temples. You should start to feel relief from anxiety in a matter of minutes. You can reapply the balm as often as you want, as it’s virtually impossible to overdose when using topical CBD.
Apply it to tense areas on your body
When we’re feeling anxious, this mental state also has wide-ranging consequences on our bodies. One of the consequences that you’ve probably noticed is that anxiety makes your muscles tense up. Applying CBD cream to tense areas like your shoulders or back can have a soothing effect. Not only will CBD calm down your anxiety, it will also relax the muscles in this area. And just as anxiety can tense up your muscles, having relaxed muscles can also reduce anxiety. So take the time to give yourself a little massage with a CBD topical product. You’re likely to find it gives you a deeper feeling of relaxation!
The Best CBD Creams for Anxiety: Our top picks
1. Endoca Hemp Salve 750mg
Made with 750 mg of CBD in a small 30-ml tub, this is the ideal product for applying to your temples in stressful situations. It has the potency necessary to give you fast results, and it’s sure to be a long-lasting product you can carry for a long time.
Like all Endoca products, it’s made with very high-quality, organic, and natural ingredients. It contains coconut oil, beeswax, hemp seed oil, vitamin E, and lemon and vanilla extracts for scent. These ingredients lend it a thick, creamy texture that is also deeply moisturizing. Its scent is fresh and pleasant, but never overwhelming. And because it’s so strong, you’ll only need to use a small dollop at a time to get results.
This is not one of the cheapest products on this list, but we think the price is fully justified. You get a whopping 750 mg of CBD for just $64 or equivalent, which offers very good value for your money. And considering it’s made with the highest grade of organic, GMO-free, and third-party tested CBD, you know you’re paying for quality.
PROS
- Fast-absorbing
- Pleasant lemon and vanilla scent
- High potency
CONS
- Not the most portable of products
- Endoca rarely offer discounts or promotions
2.Premium CBD Salve Stick by Joy Organics
Instead of coming in a tub, it’s a portable stick that you’ll be able to carry with you in your purse, backpack, or pocket. For people struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, carrying CBD around with you is a great way to feel prepared for whatever may come your way.
The CBD in this stick is of the highest quality, as Joy Organics is a reputable brand using only organic products. The CBD in this stick is organic, third-party tested, U.S-grown, and GMO-free. It also uses good-quality natural oils like hemp seed and jojoba for a light finish that won’t make your skin feel greasy.
Many people will also appreciate the fact that it is an unscented product, making it easier to reapply throughout the day without getting sick of the scent.
With 250 mg of CBD in a 0.5-oz format, it’s a potent product that can give you the relief you need even from a small dose. In terms of value, we think it comes in at a very reasonable price, considering its high potency, great-quality ingredients and practical format.
PROS
- Very convenient portable format
- Unscented
- Made with natural ingredients
CONS
- Only contains 250mg CBD
- Price per milligram of CBD is higher than average
3.CBD Calming Balm by CBDfx
It contains a good variety of essential oils (lavender, chamomile and tea tree) which lend it a relaxing and pleasant scent. Not to mention that lavender and chamomile also have anxiety-fighting properties of their own!
This product contains 750 mg of CBD in a 2-oz jar, making it a high-potency product. It’s not just about the essential oils, it packs a serious punch!
It’s also made with organic, sustainable, and third-party tested CBD, which is up to the highest standards. At $39.99 for a 2-oz jar, we think it’s one of the best products you can get for this price, both in terms of ingredients and CBD potency.
PROS
- 100% natural ingredients
- High potency
- Very good price per milligram of CBD
- Frequently on offer on the CBDfx website
CONS
- Not unscented (smells of lavender and chamomile)
- Not very portable because it comes in a large metal tin
4. Charlotte’s Web Massage Therapy Pain Relief Oil
This Charlotte’s Web massage oil is completely different. It’s a thin-consistency oil that’s meant to be used on much larger areas of skin: on your back and shoulders, on your legs… If you think you’d enjoy using a product like this as part of your self-care routine, here’s why we think it’s a great option:
First, this Charlotte’s Web massage oil uses very high-quality ingredients. In the massage oil, you’ll find hydrating jojoba oil, precious argan oil, and anti-inflammatory coconut oil. You’ll also find menthol and camphor, two natural ingredients that have the ability to relieve pain and give the oil a great, cooling feeling.
Another thing which we really like about this oil is its smell. It contains essential oils of frankincense and myrrh, which give it an earthy, spicy scent we can only describe as luxurious. Aromatherapy may not be the answer to all anxiety disorders, but we think that a CBD-infused product that smells great is a big bonus.
Finally, the CBD extract in this product is organic, GMO-free, and third-party tested. It’s also a broad-spectrum extract, meaning it contains anxiety-fighting cannabinoids and terpenes other than CBD. With 200mg of CBD in a 100mL bottle, it’s a medium concentration product that will show good results in most cases of anxiety. So if you’re looking for a fun product you can use to give yourself a massage, we have every reason to recommend this one.
PROS
- Very pleasant texture
- Absorbs rapidly
- Doesn’t leave a residue
- Great scent
CONS
- Not the most moisturizing product
- Only contains 200mg of CBD
5. Elixinol Full-Spectrum Hemp Balm
If you’re looking for a full-spectrum topical product to relive anxiety, this is our top choice. This cream by Elixinol contains a very high-quality, organic, GMO-free, and third-party tested full-spectrum hemp extract. Full-spectrum hemp contains the widest range of cannabinoids and terpenes available; molecules like CBG and CBN, many of which have strong anxiety-fighting properties that complement those of CBD.
Because full-spectrum hemp extract contains more THC, it isn’t legal in every region. However, we think it can be something very beneficial, which you should consider if you live in a place where it is available.
Alongside full-spectrum hemp extract, this cream contains some very interesting botanicals, including soothing calendula flower extract, moisturizing ucuuba butter, and richly-scented copaiba oil. We love the fresh, ever so slightly sweet taste that its essential oils of lemon peel, wintergreen, and eucalyptus give it.
Overall, this is a product that smells great, and gives you the widest possible range of cannabinoids and terpenes. You can get it in strengths ranging from 50 to 500mg of CBD per tub, meaning there is really something for every person and every budget. So if you’re looking for a high-quality product with interesting ingredients and a few potencies options, this is our best pick.
PROS
- 100% natural ingredients
- Contains hydrating plant oils and butters
- Comes in a few potency options
- Terpene-rich full-spectrum CBD extract
CONS
- Not for you if you don’t enjoy the smell of eucalyptus
- Long shipping times
Recommended Posts
The Best CBD Oil for Sleep
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or getting enough sleep, CBD oil could be exactly the solution you’re looking for.
The Best CBD Capsules for Sleep
Today, more and more people are choosing to take CBD capsules for sleep over sleeping pills to fight insomnia. Research
The Best CBD Capsules for Anxiety
Treating anxiety isn’t easy, and it often requires a few different approaches. You can try therapy, meditation, journaling, cognitive behavioral
The Best CBD Oil for Migraines
As a migraine sufferer, it can be hard to find a natural solution to help you deal with the pain
