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The best CBD products for stress include gummies, tinctures, and bath bombs. Which works best may depend on your preference for isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum CBD and potency.
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.
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.
As such, it’s no surprise that many people are turning to CBD to relieve stress.
We rounded up some of the highest quality products available for stress relief, all of which meet our rigorous safety and quality checks.
With a plethora of CBD products on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which to buy. The products below were vetted using a strict set of criteria to ensure quality ingredients, safety, and transparency.
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. More research is needed to fully evaluate its potential as a treatment option.
Additionally, a 2021 study involving 43 healthy adults found that those with strong beliefs in the stress-relieving properties of CBD were more likely to experience a reduction in anxiety levels. This suggests that the placebo effect may play a role in CBD effectiveness for some people.
Research into the effects of CBD is still ongoing. But several studies suggest that CBD may have positive outcomes for people experiencing stress.
Research from 2020 analyzed 76 studies published in 2019 and 2020 on the effects of CBD on specific conditions, such as stress, anxiety, dementia, and depression.
Researchers concluded that while CBD is a promising treatment for stress and anxiety, more research is needed.
A separate 2020 study researched the effects of CBD on a small sample of 15 participants. Researchers found that the “results identify potential mechanisms of CBD for a range of conditions associated with altered memory processing, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Another 2020 study looked at 33 clinically high risk (CHR) people with psychosis, half of whom were administered 600 mg of CBD per day. “The results provide preliminary evidence that CBD may affect … the psychological responses to acute stress in daily life in CHR patients,” according to the study.
Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional for guidance to make sure the dose you take is safe and won’t interact with other medications.
While research on CBD’s effects is ongoing, initial studies have promising results. 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.
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.
If you’re trying CBD for the first time, it may be a good idea to explore CBD and see what works best for you. Start small and keep a journal of your experience to find your optimal dose.
If your doctor hasn’t recommended a particular dosage, start with a small dose of 5–10 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, a 2017 study found that taking as much as 1,500 mg per day is well tolerated for humans.
That said, a 2019 study in mice 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.
Research from 2017 suggests that people can handle up to 1,500 mg per day. However, more than 1,500 mg per day isn’t recommended.
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 fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and changes in weight. If you experience any adverse side effects after taking CBD, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional.
A 2020 study suggests that people should exercise caution if consuming CBD products by mouth along with high fat meals. The study found that high fat meals increased the ability to absorb CBD, but they also increased side effects.
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.
Some research suggests that CBD may have a calming effect on the central nervous system. However, more large-scale clinical studies are needed on humans to know for sure.
The research into CBD for anxiety and stress so far is promising, but keep in mind that not everyone feels the same effects when taking CBD.
Consider pairing CBD with other stress management techniques, such as meditation, journaling, and exercise.
This may depend on the dose. Research from 2017 suggests that CBD may reduce anxiety levels at higher doses, but at a certain point, increasing the dose further — in this case, beyond 300 mg — doesn’t achieve much.
How does this work? Experts think it has to do with CBD’s effect on the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors and serotonin signals, which are neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.
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.
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.
Last medically reviewed on April 8, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Crockett J, et al. (2020). A phase 1, randomized, pharmacokinetic trial of the effect of different meal compositions, whole milk, and alcohol on cannabidiol exposure and safety in healthy subjects. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7065230/
