In these days of uncertainty, stress, and ridiculous amounts of occupation through work and homelife, self-care should be high on the list of priorities. And yet sadly, it rarely is. Most people push through their day, noting that they “ought” to take a few moments for themselves, but that time rarely comes.
What we need in self care is something simple, restful, and meditative. And while very few can create a habit of journaling or meditation, most people can manage to take a bath. Hey, we need to get clean, anyway! You can be productive AND do a little something for yourself! Enter the CBD bath bomb for a relaxing evening bath ritual.
What Can CBD Do For Me?
Cannibidiol, or CBD is a compound extracted from the hemp plant (cannabis). It is a close relative of THC, but without the psychoactive effects. While research on CBD is thin, what little we have so far is promising. So much so that this compound is currently being studied for a variety of different chronic conditions.
We already know that CBD is effective for helping to control seizures. However, among many other potential benefits, it is mostly sought after for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties. In fact, an in-house study performed by the American Arthritis Organization found that 79% of their members were currently using, or had used CBD products for pain relief.
So what does that mean for bathtime? Well, a ton of people use topical CBD for pain relief – including those with chronic pain conditions as well as athletes. After a day of exertion, soaking in a bath that offers the relief of CBD is a winning idea.
Benefits of Topical Application
Soaking in a tub of CBD allows for the compound to be absorbed through the pores of the skin. This process doesn’t allow for the CBD to pass the blood-brain barriers into the bloodstream, but it does allow for the CBD to interact with the CB2 receptors in the skin.
The endocannabinoid system threads throughout the human body and can impact homeostasis in the body. It affects the nervous system, the immune system, and several organs in the body. The CB2 receptors are dominant in the peripheral nervous system and work with muscles, skin, peripheral nerves, and immune cells.
For someone who is feeling the normal soreness and achiness of a rough day, this absorption at the skin level is enough to impact the peripheral nervous system and provide relief. It’s not the way to take CBD if you are looking for medical benefits, but rather a way to enjoy relaxation and a temporary relief for muscle and joint pain.
What To Look For in a CBD Bath Bomb
To ensure that you are truly enjoying the benefits of a genuine CBD bath bomb, you need to buy from a reputable source. But what exactly does that mean? What do you look for?
Well, first of all, go with a company that has a known name in the business. You can do this by searching online for companies that have been around for at least a few years. Check out their website and see what they can offer.
- Do they belong to quality organizations such as the Hemp Roundtable?
- Have they been recognized by reputable publications (magazines, e-zines, or other third party media)?
- Are they often mentioned on third party websites for quality?
One of the most important ways to ensure that you’re getting what’s advertised is to find a company that offers third party lab tests by independent third party laboratories. One of the big “problems” with CBD is that it is sold in a saturated and largely unregulated marketplace.
Unless you have confirmation from an independent lab, there’s no way of knowing what exactly is *in* your CBD products. This may matter more for the forms of CBD that you take internally, but it’s also important for topical stuff like bath bombs. Many disreputable companies will sell “CBD bath bombs” with very little CBD about them. You may as well be sitting in a tub full of baking soda and perfume.
This brings up another point: Beware of CBD bath bombs that are super inexpensive. Look, adding CBD in any kind of therapeutic amount costs money. You aren’t going to find a high quality CBD bath bomb for under $10. This is just a fact of life, but don’t despair over the price tag. Many big CBD companies offer loyalty discounts, subscription discounts, or even assistance programs for qualifying buyers.
Add Some Fun (and Beneficial!) Stuff
A lot of CBD bath bombs take it a step further, and pile on the bathtime benefits. You’ll often find bombs that also offer detoxifying activated charcoal, or muscle-relaxing magnesium. Even nicer for a lovely night time bath is a punch of essential oil. Many will add soothing scents like lavender, or uplifting scents like mint or citrus.
Don’t Let Self Care Be a Chore. Make it Fun!
It often seems like we walk around with a laundry list of “to dos”, and self care just becomes one more chore. But there’s nothing easier than drawing a nice warm bath at the end of the day, and tossing in a CBD bath bomb.
You get the benefit of a good soak (water, even in a bath setting, is proven to be calming to the human mind), plus the pain relief properties of CBD. Also, you get a solid 20-40 minutes of just existing, without having to think about anything else. Or you can catch up on that book you’ve totally been meaning to read, but never seem to get a chance to.
So, pour yourself a glass of herbal tea (or wine), grab a few candles, a book, and a bath bomb from a quality purveyor of CBD products. Take a few minutes to give yourself a true spa experience, with the added muscle relieving benefits of CBD.