THC Balt Salts Are Coming to a Tub Near You

THC bath salts are here — and they may actually be worth your hard-earned cash. Although many new THC and CBD products sound like a gimmick — and though the cannabis compound THC is best known for its psychoactive abilities — they also come with a surprising range of therapeutic effects. In the case of THC bath salts, the benefits of cannabis combined with the scientifically proven health value of bathing, could make your next tub session the best one of your life.

While CBD bath bombs are relatively well-established products in the beauty market, THC bath salts are the latest cannabis-derived addition to the large and lucrative industry built around your bathtub. According to a report from the analysts at Research and Markets, the global bath products market was estimated to be worth $19.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, has many qualities that make it a perfect addition to any bathtime ritual. Aside from its well-known ability to relieve stress and anxiety, it can also help soothe sore muscles and reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.

If you’re still not convinced they’re worth a try, perhaps this will change your mind: according to a recent study from the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, taking a hot bath could have the same health benefits as exercising.

“Many cultures swear by the benefits of a hot bath. But only recently has science began to understand how passive heating (as opposed to getting hot and sweaty from exercise) improves health,” explained Steve Faulkner, lead author of the study, which found that bathers burned as many calories in the bath as they would during a 30 minute walk.

But if baths are already good for you, what more can THC bath salts really bring to the table?

THC Bath Salts: What’s in Them?

Despite THC’s reputation for causing psychoactive effects, there isn’t enough of it in bath salts to get you high. While some users have reported euphoric feelings after leaving the tub, this is likely due to the placebo effect.

Aside from THC, these cannabis-derived products also contain a host of other compounds found in the plant. These include essential oils and fatty acids which will be excellent for your skin, along with other cannabinoids like CBN, which delivers deep relaxation, and CBD, which reduces inflammation and relieves pain.

These are added in the form of a tincture to pharmacological grade epsom salts, which are the most common “base ingredient” of THC bath salts. A purified form of magnesium sulfate, epsom salts have been used for centuries to relieve minor aches and pains. They’re also commonly used in beauty products, since they exfoliate the skin and can even help volumize the hair.

In addition, essential oils such as lavender and tea tree oil are found in many THC bath salts. These come with health benefits of their own — lavender, for example, is known to enhance relaxation and aid sleep — and also provide pleasing colors and aromas.

Mixed Reviews for THC Bath Salts

People who are expecting — or hoping for — a psychoactive experience with their THC bath salts will likely be disappointed. This is especially true for those who prepare DIY concoctions at home using a private supply of cannabis (making your own cannabis-infused bath products is easier than it might appear at first glance).

In the words of one reviewer, “If you’re looking to experience marijuana’s most well-known effects, however, you’re much better off smoking or ingesting the stuff. Judging from my experiment, a marijuana bath won’t really get you stoned, and many would consider it an unfortunate waste of perfectly good [cannabis].” However, she also added that THC bath salts might give you “the best bath of your life regardless.”

For some users, though, the mere expectation of a high is enough to trigger some uncomfortable thoughts, as was the case for one reviewer who said “kind of freaked out” after taking a THC-infused cannabis bath soak. Yet despite an initial rush of panic (likely attributable to the placebo effect), she emerged from the tub rested, relaxed, and “resolved to take another THC bath as soon as possible.”

So while THC bath salts may not be an ideal choice for the cannabis novice — or people with important social events to attend after their bath — they do appear to be an attractive option for those who just want to unwind after a long day’s work.