Can I Use CBD As a Muscle Relaxant?

Few things are more frustrating than sore, tight, twitching muscles. We explore why many people use CBD to address those issues, breaking down the science to help you determine if it can help you, too.

Key Takeaways

• CBD may support muscle relaxation in various ways.
• It may support the body's inflammatory process, reduce soreness, and support recovery.
• You can take oral CBD supplements or use a topical CBD product, like a cream or roll-on, to target affected areas.

See More: How Much Is Too Much CBD? Find the Right Dosage

CBD: A Natural Muscle Relaxer

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"Yes, you can use CBD as a muscle relaxant. Many people use CBD for muscle relaxation, pain, soreness, and recovery."

Millions of people around the world use CBD to help promote relaxation. Typically, that means relaxation in the sense of easing stress.

But what about muscle relaxation?

A growing number of people do, in fact, use CBD as a natural muscle relaxer.¹ Some people also find it helpful for muscle soreness and recovery.

We'll break down how CBD works to help you figure out if you might benefit from it, too.

Bonus: How Long Do THC Edibles Stay in Your System?

How CBD Can Help Relax Muscles

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of many compounds naturally produced by hemp plants. It's similar to another famous compound produced by cannabis plants, THC.

However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. CBD will not get you high. However, people often report experiencing sensations of balance and relaxation after taking CBD.

CBD is also different from THC in the fact that it is federally legal. Under federal law, hemp plants must not contain more than 0.3% THC. But they can contain plenty of CBD.

Manufacturers extract CBD from these hemp plants. The resulting hemp-derived CBD products are therefore federally legal. State and local laws may vary.

Endocannabinoid System

Both THC and CBD interact with your body's endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a sprawling network of receptors spread throughout your body. It affects almost every major physiological system in the body, from mood to memory to sleep to pain.

Your body naturally produces endocannabinoids, such as anandamide. They act as signal molecules for the endocannabinoid system. CBD is thought to help preserve these endocannabinoids.

Muscle Relaxation and Soreness

Research suggests CBD can have muscle-relaxing properties.

Muscle relaxation can mean various things. It might mean relieving tightness, addressing pain, or reducing spasms.

Let's start with that last option. Research suggests that CBD may help with muscle spasms, or spasticity. That refers to repeated, involuntary muscle contractions.

For example, one 2018 review of 17 clinical trials concluded that cannabinoids, including CBD, were "significantly associated with efficacy for subjective [muscle] spasticity" in people with multiple sclerosis.²

Muscle tightness can be caused by various things. One potential cause is inflammation.

Research suggests that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties.³ After you exercise, it's normal to experience some inflammation. But too much can undermine muscle recovery.⁴

Some studies have found that CBD may enhance the body's inflammatory response after exercise, which could support recovery.⁵

Research also suggests that CBD can help with muscle soreness. Some soreness after exercise is normal. It's called delayed onset muscle soreness, and is a symptom of exercise-induced muscle damage.

However, too much soreness can undermine your fitness routine. And it can be uncomfortable, even painful.

In one 2023 study, participants were given a placebo or a recovery formula that contained CBD. Participants who took the formula said they experienced less discomfort and soreness in the 72 hours after exercise.⁶

Another study gave participants CBD oil, MCT oil, or nothing after exercise. Participants who took the CBD oil said they experienced less soreness and a faster recovery.⁷

CBD might not only be useful for muscle pain. Many people use it for pain relief more generally, including for nerve pain and chronic pain.

In part, that's because CBD can interact with your central nervous system.⁸ Those interactions may help regulate pain signals.⁹

General stress and anxiety can also contribute to muscle tightness and pain. As we mentioned at the very start, CBD is widely used to promote relaxation.

To be clear, CBD's effects can vary from person to person. CBD can also interact with certain medications, so it's always best to double-check with a health professional before taking it if you're unsure.

Where to Get High-Quality CBD Products for Muscle Relaxation

If you want to start using CBD for your muscles, you have two general options.

The first is an oral supplement. You could take CBD oil (or even a Delta 8 THC oil), like the participants in one of the studies we mentioned. CBD oil is a fantastic, versatile supplement with many potential benefits.

The other option is a CBD topical, like a cream or roll-on. One of the major benefits of topical CBD products is that they can target specific areas for localized support.

Take Clean Remedies' Joint and Muscle Relief Freeze. It's a maximum-strength cooling formula with CBD, aloe leaf juice, and essential oils to bring targeted, restorative support to tired joints and overworked muscles.

Or our CBD Muscle Rub & Pain Cream. It contains full-spectrum hemp extract, plus menthol for a cooling-to-warming sensation, Arnica for circulation and recovery, and more.

For something even quicker, try our CBD Roll-On Gel. It's a similar, potent blend of CBD and other supportive ingredients, but formulated in a mess-free roller-ball applicator designed for targeted support right where your body needs it most.

A roll-on is particularly beneficial for "anyone who doesn't want to get their hands or fingers dirty, or someone who's having trouble reaching their back or the bottom of their legs," explains Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "This is really easy to use."

Conclusion

CBD is used as a muscle relaxer. Research suggests it can support muscle pain, soreness, and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Form of CBD Is Best for Muscle Pain?

That depends on the pain. For general pain, an oral supplement might be appropriate. But for localized pain, a topical CBD product might be useful, because you can apply it directly to the affected area.

How Much CBD for Muscle Relaxation?

It's important to follow the dosage recommendations included with your product. For example, Clean Remedies recommends applying its CBD Roll-On Gel on the affected area every 2-4 hours, or as needed. Clean Remedies also recommends taking 0.5 ml of its Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture 2-3 times per day, or as needed.

Does CBD Reduce Muscle Inflammation?

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest it may support the body's inflammatory response.

Keep Reading: Will Delta-8 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

Sources

1. Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort - PMC 
2. Assessment of Efficacy and Tolerability of Medicinal Cannabinoids in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - PMC
3. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol - PMC
4. Divergent Roles of Inflammation in Skeletal Muscle Recovery From Injury - PMC
5. Beyond the Burn: How CBD Shapes the Post-Exercise Inflammatory Response
6. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) - PMC
7. The influence cannabidiol on delayed onset of muscle soreness - Society of Cannabis Clinicians
8. Building a Better Painkiller | Harvard Medical School 
9. Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors - PMC

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