Is there anything more indulgent than a warm bath? Whether you hit the tub to wash up, unwind mentally, ease stiff muscles, or promote a good night’s sleep, you know all about the healing power of a good soak. But if you thought taking a bath couldn’t get any more relaxing, think again. A CBD bath might just be the ultimate way to soothe your mind, body, and soul.

Even if you’ve been skeptical about trying CBD in any form, a soak of aromatic, CBD-infused bath salts could be the perfect way to experience CBD’s effects without ingesting it, and while doing something you already enjoy (lounging in the tub).

"Anyone can benefit from a CBD bath,” says Cindy Capobianco, cofounder and chief brand officer of the CBD brand Lord Jones. “If you've had a long day, an intense workout, or strenuous travel, it can provide the ultimate restorative reset and promote a calm sense of well-being." And don't worry, taking a CBD bath won't get you high.

For a quick refresher: "Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana that can have potential health benefits," explains Matthew Mintz, MD, FACP, a board-certified internist practicing in Bethesda, Md. "Unlike marijuana—which is federally illegal and only medically legal in certain states—hemp is legal everywhere and has virtually no THC (which is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, a different cannabinoid that can make you high).”

CBD can help support the body’s naturally occuring endocannabinoid system and promote endocannabinoid production. “Hemp-based CBD optimizes the function of a system you may not even know you have called the endocannabinoid system, which modulates the fight or flight response, impacting how we respond to stress, how much cortisol (the stress hormone) we produce, and how quickly we recover,” says Aimée Gould Shunney, ND, an advisor to PlusCBD Oil.

So what does this calming, homeostasis-promoting, cannabis-derived plant substance have to do with bath time?

Among other benefits, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. “CBD is best used for inflammation, which is really at the root of any problem you have with your skin, whether it’s eczema or pain,” says Claudia Mata, the founder of Vertly, which infuses CBD into its natural, mineral- and botanical-rich bath salts. Dissolving a CBD-infused product, like bath salts or a bath bomb, into hot water and soaking in it helps expedite the process of CBD absorption into the skin and bloodstream through the pores.

“Heat causes vasodilation of the blood vessels, enhancing absorption of CBD (as well as anything else in your bath),” Shunney explains. “It also helps relax your muscles and open your airways, making it easier to breathe. These heat effects are all synergistic with the relaxing, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory effects of CBD.”

“Taking a bath is already so therapeutic,” says Mata. “Baths deliver so many minerals, promote healing, and are great for soreness after a workout.”

Take all of those familiar benefits of a good old-fashioned bath—CBD will subtly enhance them. “Hot water, relaxation, CBD, essential oils—who wouldn’t benefit from that combo?” Shunney says. “The biggest benefits [of a CBD bath] would be to relax and decompress, to ease musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, and to soothe angry skin conditions.”

Compared to taking a few drops of CBD tincture orally (say, under your tongue), letting it absorb topically tends to have quicker, more direct results.

“As with any nutrient or ingredient applied to the skin, absorption into the bloodstream will be faster than with oral ingestion,” Shunney says. And while a topical CBD balm, oil, or cream might be ideal for those hoping to calm localized inflammation, Shunney says adding CBD to a bath will expose your entire body to it, resulting in more systemic effects.

“The reason CBD is miraculous is not because of what it does (it’s not a cure-all), but because it is such a malleable ingredient. It’s a compound that works on so many different systems of your body,” says Mata. “It touches on anxiety, mood, sleep disorders—all these different variants of your life.” Add that to your already-calming bath experience and you'll be as relaxed as ever.

Don't think of a CBD bath as