7 Best CBD Products for Stress

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Cannabidiol, widely known as CBD, is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. CBD doesn’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), meaning that 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 provide 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 symptoms of stress.

While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the quantity of CBD products on the market, the sheer volume of CBD brands means that, with enough research, it’s possible to find a product that meets your needs.

It’s also important to know there are different types of CBD with varying levels of THC. For example, full-spectrum CBD products contain THC, so they’re not recommended for people undergoing drug testing.

To help make your selection a little easier, 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.

Every product in this list:

During our selection process, we also considered:

• the potency of each product
• the ingredients and if the product contains any ingredients specifically recommended for stress relief
• the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
• the reputation of each brand, based on factors such as customer reviews
• if the company has made any unsupported health claims about their products
• if the company has been subject to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter.

CBD may help instill a sense of calm in people who take it, which may lower stress levels.

While the research on CBD is still emerging, research from 2015 and 2020 suggest that CBD may help with symptoms of:

• anxiety
• depression
• panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

By dampening the stress response and protecting against chronic stress, CBD may help prevent or treat certain mental health conditions related to stress.

However, CBD is currently not approved as a treatment for psychiatric conditions, and more research is needed to fully evaluate its potential as a treatment option.

Research into the effects of CBD is still ongoing. But several studies suggest that CBD can have positive outcomes for people experiencing stress.

Research from 2020 analyzed 76 studies published in 2019 and 2020 on the effects of CBD for specific conditions, such as stress, anxiety, dementia, and depression.

The study 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. It 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.”

In a 2020 study of 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.”

While research of 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 for yourself.

CBD products aren’t regulated by the FDA. So 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 made 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.

As CBD isn’t currently regulated by the FDA, there aren’t any official recommended dosages for CBD. If you’re trying CBD for the first time, it may be a good idea to do trial and error to see what works best for you.

If your doctor hasn’t recommended a particular dosage, start small at a dose of 5 mg to 10 mg of CBD. If this initial dose doesn’t ease your symptoms, try increasing the dosage gradually and track how your body reacts.

As for how much CBD is too much, a 2011 study found that taking as much as 1,500 mg per day is well tolerated for humans.

However, a 2019 study in mice suggested that CBD might be linked to liver damage and might negatively interact with some medications.

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.

However, 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.

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 to be aware of.

Is it possible to take too much CBD oil?

CBD oil isn’t regulated so there’s no official “safe” dose. Research from 2017 suggests that people can handle up to 1,500 mg per day. However, more than 1,500 mg a 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 an indication to reduce the dosage.

Does CBD oil actually help with stress?

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 mediation, journaling, and exercise.

Will CBD oil calm you down and how?

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.