Relax With the Calming Scent of CBD Candles

The health and wellness space brims with CBD products, catering to various needs and preferences. Among the plethora of picks is CBD candles, a more unique offering. Touting the benefits of cannabinoids, terpenes, and aromatherapy, CBD candles claim to create a soothing environment for calmness, rest, and relaxation. 

While candles may not be the first CBD product to come to mind, the aromatherapy and cannabis topical markets are booming billion-dollar sectors, rich with people seeking relief for various conditions and needs.

What Are CBD Candles?

CBD-infused candles represent a niche, gimmicky, and innovative product sector in the market. Harnessing the potential healing properties created by infusing candle wax, CBD, and other essential oils, these candle-topical hybrids reportedly provide an aromatic and therapeutic experience.

Upon initial use, CBD candles function as standard candles, filling the room with an aromatic, pleasant fragrance. Once melted, the infused oil may also be used as a topical that could potentially help the skin in various therapeutic ways. This includes moisturizing skin and addressing pain or inflammation issues.

While intriguing, clinical analysis on the efficacy of CBD and candles is scant. Although they may be effective, lighting the candle could also evaporate the terpenes and cannabinoids.

Those looking for THC-infused weed candles may be able to find some with a bit of searching. However, due to regulatory restrictions, these items are not regularly available. If any are available, there is a good chance they will be marketed or categorized as topical products rather than a standard candle.

CBD Candle Benefits and Advantages

CBD candles may offer several intriguing benefits, including a combination of aromatherapy and topical applications. While burning CBD in these candles may not have any verifiable benefits, the essential oils used and their potential use as a topical have much more credible claims to rely upon. 

Some of the reported advantages of CBD candles include:

• Aromatherapy - Essential oils are a critical aromatherapy component. They may aid in relaxation and stress reduction and improve sleep quality. Aromas such as lavender and peppermint are regarded for their relaxation and soothing potential.
• Topical Skin Benefits - Melted CBD candle wax can be applied to the skin as a non-intoxicating topical treatment. Topicals may provide localized relief without reaching the bloodstream, ensuring that consumers can feel the beneficial effects of cannabis on a skin-deep level without any risk of experiencing an intoxicating high.¹
• Therapeutic Potential - Numerous studies have shown that cannabinoids may deliver varying therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.² CBD has been regarded for its ability to provide various therapeutic benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potential.
• Sleep Enhancement - Lavender is an essential oil synonymous with relaxation; many CBD candles include lavender essential oils, which may provide muscle relaxation when combined and used as a topical.
• Anxiety Relief - Many of the compounds used in a CBD candle, like lavender, may help create soothing, calming environments, which may contribute to a reduction in anxiety levels.

The efficacy of CBD candles remains to be seen and is highly debatable at this time. However, some factors set these unique products apart from the rest of this diverse marketplace. 

• Dual Functionality - CBD candles may be produced in such a way that they are helpful as both aromatherapy and topical options, but be mindful of ingredients that are not safe for the skin.
• Synergistic Effects - Combining CBD with essential oils and other helpful compounds may benefit the body's skin and muscle layers when used as a topical.
• Innovative - The efficacy of CBD as an aromatherapy option remains debatable, but these products show the further reaches of where cannabinoid-based products can go and potentially help in our lives.

Drawbacks of CBD Candles

Only half of a CBD candle's benefits appear verifiable at this time, and that is only if they are made to be applied topically once melted. With suspicion over the effectiveness of CBD as an aromatherapy option, several possible drawbacks and concerns remain.

• Limited Research - There is no research into the efficacy of CBD candles as an aromatherapy option, leaving many to question the validity of the product.
• Effectiveness Concerns - With claims unable to be verified at this time, CBD candles may be considered more gimmicky than therapeutic unless used as a topical.
• Inhalation Safety - Inhaling smoked CBD flower has proven to be largely safe with a minimal risk profile. Still, questions about the safety of inhaling compounds released by burnt CBD from a candle have yet to be studied. 

While undoubtedly unique and possibly beneficial, CBD candles are not yet a proven option for people seeking relief. With numerous other qualified options, using a CBD candle for aromatherapy with the added CBD benefits appears almost superfluous. 

However, as cannabis research has proven over the years, public and clinical perceptions may change as additional studies come in.

What You Need to Make CBD Candles

Homemade CBD-infused candles can be a fun and fulfilling project, allowing consumers to customize the formulation to their specific needs and preferences. 

To create your own CBD-infused candle, gather the following ingredients and supplies:

• Glass jar or heat-resistant container designed to hold a candle
• Beeswax or soy wax (for those with allergies and vegan lifestyles) 
• Pre-made or hand-cut candlewick
• Superglue or similar adhesive
• Essential oils of your choice
• Decarbed CBD oil
• Stove
• Double boiler pot

Steps to Make Your Own CBD Candles

You can make a CBD candle in just a few steps:

1. Secure the Wick - Place a small amount of glue inside the center of the jar. Secure the wick to the bottom and allow it to dry.
2. Melt the Wax - Melt the preferred skin-safe wax source using a heat-safe bowl in a double boiler over boiling water. Remove the wax from the heat before it burns. 
3. Add CBD Oil and Essential Oils - Add your CBD and preferred essential oils to the melted wax. Mix to ensure a more even distribution of the compounds, then allow to cool. 
4. Pour the Wax - Pour the melted wax into the jar. Hold the wick up straight while the jar is filled, letting go when done filling the jar. 
5. Set the Candle - Allow the wax to cool and solidify. This typically takes several hours.
6. Trim the Wick - Once solidified, trim the wick to fit the jar. Then, use your candle when ready.

Tips for Buying CBD Candles

If making an infused candle isn’t for you, consider buying one from a reputable seller. Be sure to consider the following before purchasing a candle infused with CBD or any other cannabinoids:

Reputable Sources

Only buy from reputable brands with positive independent reviews supporting their effects and overall experience. Ensure the product and its producer also have a spotless safety record. 

Third-Party Lab Testing

Look for a certificate of analysis (COA) from a third-party lab to confirm the product’s formulation and safety test results. You can find lab test results on the company website or using a QR code on the packaging. 

Quality Skin-Safe Ingredients

Verify that all compounds used in the formulation align with your unique health needs and preferences. Some compounds can irritate the skin and body in various adverse ways, including rash, hives, and allergic reactions. 

Avoid Medical Claims

With its efficacy still up for debate, be cautious of brands and products touting medicinal benefits of CBD aromatherapy.

References

1. Nickles MA, Lio PA. Cannabinoids in Dermatology: Hope or Hype?. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2020;5(4):279-282. Published 2020 Dec 15. doi:10.1089/can.2019.0097 ↩︎
2. Peng J, Fan M, An C, Ni F, Huang W, Luo J. A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2022;130(4):439-456. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13710 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.