A traveler’s guide to CBD.
CBD is many travelers’ secret weapon to ward off jet lag, flight anxiety, or muscle aches. It comes in a variety of forms—gummies and pills to tinctures and body lotions—and different dosages. The right dose or product for someone looking to relax in business class with an in-flight movie might be different than the type of CBD needed to fall asleep while battling jet lag.
There are also legal implications to consider. It’s now widely used in the U.S., but regulations vary from state to state, and CBD is still illegal in many countries.
To help you navigate CBD for travel, here is an introductory guide to CBD, explaining what CBD is, how to fly with CBD, where you can travel with CBD, and what the best CBD products for travelers are.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is an active ingredient in marijuana. However, CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the “psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high,” per the Mayo Clinic. CBD is not always derived from the same plant; you can find both hemp-based CBD and marijuana-derived CBD.
According to the New York Times, sixty percent of CBD users take it specifically for anxiety. It’s also been used to treat epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and insomnia, among other ailments and conditions.
You can take CBD orally or apply it topically. You’d generally take CBD orally if, for example, you were combatting anxiety on a flight. However, you might choose to use CBD topically when you arrive at your destination and are trying to ease post-flight muscle aches.
For those interested in ingesting CBD, CBD oils or tinctures are very common—you simply put a drop or two on your tongue, or you might add a tincture to your beverage. There are also chewables (gummies) or CBD pills you can take. Finally, you can smoke or vape CBD, though not while traveling by plane.
Why does CBD appeal to travelers?
CBD has become a common remedy for travel anxiety. Whether you’re a nervous flier who dreads turbulence, or someone who gets wound a little tight when traveling with family, CBD is a popular way to release some tension and get back to having a great travel experience. For travelers up against significant time differences, there are also fatigue-inducing CBD products to help you find sleep when your internal clock is completely out of whack. Finally, travelers who are constantly dealing with traveling aches and pains (too many hours in a car or plane, too many nights on an Airbnb mattress) might turn to CBD—topical or ingestible—to ease their body aches.
Can you take CBD on a flight?
When traveling with CBD, the most important thing to remember is the legality of products changes based on your location. In the U.S., CBD is legal at the federal level and has been since 2018. Most states will allow possession of hemp-based CBD, because CBD derived from hemp is guaranteed to have less than 0.3 percent THC. If you’re traveling to a state that has strict marijuana regulations, you should research the state laws before bringing CBD, and make sure your CBD products are devoid of THC.
When traveling outside the U.S., rules shift on a per-country basis. CBD is illegal in a few European countries—including Iceland, Monaco, and Montenegro—and Asian countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam. Most African and Middle Eastern countries have banned all cannabis products, CBD included, though Lebanon legalized medical marijuana in 2020, and CBD products are legal under certain conditions in South Africa.
Within the U.S., you can fly with CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. TSA rules still apply, however; any liquids (oils, tinctures, creams) must be less than three ounces. You can bring a CBD vape pen through airport security in your carry-on, but not in your checked baggage.
The best rule of thumb when traveling with CBD is to research whether your destination (and any countries or states you are traveling through to get to your destination) allow CBD. You should also make sure to thoroughly understand the products in your possession; specifically, whether they contain any THC.
CBD Products for Travelers
What are the best CBD products for travelers? From gummies made in Maui that taste as good as the peach rings of kidhood to sleepy-time CBD pills to topical CBD cream to soothe your spasms, here are some of the best introductory CBD products for travelers.
Verma Farms Peachy Pau Hana Gummies
Verma Farms makes some of the best-tasting CBD gummies on the market. Verma Farms’ gummies vary in terms of size and dosage. Their peach rings ($60) are each 25 milligrams, which is a fairly hearty dose (making it a great bedtime gummy). If you’re looking for a smaller dose to unwind, just eat half a peach ring, or try their sugar-free CBD gummy bears ($45), which are 12.5 milligrams.
Highline Wellness CBD Gummies
Anxious travelers love the sense of calm that comes with popping a Highline Wellness’ 10-milligram CBD gummy bear ($29). They’re all-natural and made from hemp. You can also buy a 20-milligram version ($42). Highline suggests starting with just one gummy, and bumping the dose up to two if you feel you need more. While incorporating the gummies into your every day routine is recommended, you can also opt to simply take them as needed.
Fab PM Chews
CBD gummy enthusiasts love the flavor of anytime Fab chews ($59), and their PM gummies ($89) (which contain melatonin) are perfect for the jet-lagged traveler who needs to get some sleep or fliers trying to sleep on a red-eye.
Lord Jones CBD Tincture
Lord Jones is a well-regarded, hemp-based CBD brand. Their vegan, sugar-free, alcohol-free tinctures ($55) come in two flavors: lemon and peppermint. Both flavors are calming; you can place a dropper full (10 milligrams) on your tongue for optimal relaxation.
Trusted Lab Travel Packs
Trusted Lab sells travel packs specifically for those on the go. The travel packs ($10-$15) make it easy to slip a few capsules in your toiletry case without having to bring the whole bottle. Their Extra-Strength AM gummie can be just what you need if you have to work on the plane or tackle a day of sightseeing after a red-eye.
Laura’s Homestead Alternatives Topical CBD Lotion
If you’re someone who has a kink in your neck after traveling, or pain in your back from a hotel bed, topical CBD lotion is worth trying. Laura Mercantile’s all-natural CBD cream ($43) meant to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation is travel-sized to be TSA-compliant.
Beam CBD Recovery Capsule
Another remedy for travel-fatigued muscles is Beam’s CBD Recovery Capsule ($68). While marketed as a workout recovery CBD product, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients are perfect for a traveler recovering from a long-haul flight.
Twist’s Take: Jet lag, flight anxiety, or muscle aches when traveling? You may want to give CBD products a try.
