Cannabis Bath Salts: A DIY Recipe for a Relaxing Weed Soak (Plus Bath Bombs)

Cannabis bath salts are Epsom or sea salts mixed with cannabis-infused oil, and you can make them at home for a fraction of what the store-bought jars cost. As cannabis wins over even people who've never smoked a joint, wellness products like lotions, creams, salves and balms keep multiplying, and a soak in weed-infused salts is one of the most relaxing ways to join the party.

It's a low-key, smoke-free way to work the plant into your self-care routine.

Below you'll find everything you need: what bath salts do, what people use cannabis bath salts for, and a step-by-step recipe (bath bombs included).

What are bath salts for?

Bath salts are ground minerals you dissolve in bathwater for a detox, exfoliating, relaxing or soothing effect. They can be made from all kinds of salt: sea salt, Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), rock salt or specialty salts from places like the Himalayas or the Dead Sea. All of them share similar properties that help you unwind, body and mind.

Ready-made cannabis bath salts aren't cheap. The good news: you can make your own at home for way less than you'd pay for the finished product.

Benefits of cannabis bath salts

A relaxing soak in weed-infused salts is about the most literal way there is to immerse yourself in cannabis. And many people say it does more than just feel nice.

Whether your homemade salts carry THC, CBD or both, the idea is that cannabinoids interact with CB2 receptors in your skin, which are part of the endocannabinoid system — the network that helps keep many of the body's functions in balance. Research on how much actually gets absorbed in a bath is still thin, so treat the benefits below as what users report rather than guarantees.

First off, sinking into a green bath helps relax body and mind, easing stress and loosening tight muscles. If you're looking for some pain relief, cannabis bath salts are worth a try.

If you deal with inflammation from allergies, inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis, topicals are often used as a sidekick to other treatment. A cannabis bubble bath might be just what you need to unwind.

Beyond the general perks, here's what people use them for:

Good for your skin

Homemade bath salts can be a treat for your skin, helping keep it hydrated and looking young. Some people also use cannabis topicals for skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and dandruff, and early research on cannabinoids and skin looks promising.

Better sleep

A cannabis bath can relax you deeply, which is handy if your sleep schedule is all over the place.

Pain relief

Of all the ways people use weed, pain relief — including menstrual cramps — is one of the big ones. CBD in particular is often used as an alternative option for inflammation from allergies, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, among other conditions, and some studies point to anti-inflammatory effects.

Stress relief

A hot bath is relaxing. Cannabis is relaxing. Put them together and let the stress melt away.

How to make cannabis bath salts

Making cannabis bath salts is a two-step process. First you make cannabis-infused oil, then you mix it with the rest of the ingredients. Heads up: this is the same oil used for all kinds of topicals, like lotions, and for edibles. So if you like the idea of a weed brownie or a few gummies while you soak, one batch of oil covers the whole self-care lineup.

What you need to make cannabis oil

• 15–30 g (½–1 oz) dried buds or trim
• 500 ml (about 2 cups) coconut oil
• TOOLS
• Baking sheet
• Saucepan
• Stovetop
• Cheesecloth
• Rubber band
• Glass jar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 115 °C (240 °F).
2. Remove any stems from the buds or trim and grind them to a medium-fine consistency.
3. Spread the ground herb evenly on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Put the toasted (decarboxylated, or "decarbed") herb and the coconut oil in a saucepan over the heat.
6. Simmer on low for one hour, stirring now and then.
7. Secure the cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar with the rubber band, letting it sag a little so it works like a funnel.
8. Strain the oil through the cheesecloth to remove as much plant matter as possible.
9. When the oil stops dripping, squeeze the cheesecloth to get every last drop.

What you need for homemade bath salts

• Epsom salt
• Cannabis oil
• Essential oils (optional)
• Glass jar
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to make the bath salts, step by step

1. Put 700 g (about 1.5 lb) of Epsom salt in the glass jar.
2. Add 14 g (½ oz) of cannabis oil and mix well.
3. Repeat until the salts are coated with oil but not soaked through.
4. If you like, add a few drops of essential oil to customize the scent. Lavender, orange and peppermint are the popular picks.
5. Let the mix sit for an hour or two before using it.
6. For the best effect, use 170–350 g (about 6–12 oz) of salts per bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.

How to make cannabis bath bombs

Mix 224 g (about 8 oz) of baking soda with 150 g (about 5 oz) of cannabis bath salts, 112 g (about 4 oz) of cornstarch and 112 g (about 4 oz) of citric acid. Add water a little at a time until the mix is just damp. Stir well and press it into round silicone molds. The final texture should feel like wet sand. Let them dry overnight.