As COVID travel restrictions begin to die down across the world, people are starting to travel again — albeit with understandable degrees of residual social anxiety. It’s worth noting that for individuals that have always grappled with travel anxiety even before the pandemic, the prospect of even a short domestic flight can be particularly trying today. Luckily, cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged over the past decade as a viable alternative to synthetic anxiolytic drugs, which are notorious for their potentially harmful side effects.
Whether CBD is taken to ameliorate travel anxiety or simply incorporated into a maintained regimen as a health supplement, there is significant confusion about the rules around taking CBD on a plane. In this post, we go over everything you need to know — including how best to take CBD when on the go.
Why Take CBD During Plane Travel in the First Place?
There are several reasons CBD would be handy on a flight. Decades of research of cannabinoids have shown considerable medicinal and therapeutic potential in CBD specifically, which is why it’s increasingly popular among individuals who are itinerant by trade, such as professional performers and athletes.
Perhaps the biggest advantages to using CBD over synthetic drugs are its lack of harmful side effects or addiction potential, as well as its dosing versatility. CBD oils usually start at 500mg with the strongest containing as much as 9000mg. So it’s quite accessible to prospective consumers of all levels of familiarity with cannabis compounds. In the case of air travel, CBD has many potential applications, including:
- Chronic Pain Conditions low back pain, neurogenic pain and arthritic pain are three examples of chronic pain conditions that can be significantly aggravated by airplane travel, where the body can remain in a cramped position for long periods of time. CBD is currently being studied for its analgesic properties, which have made it a mainstay in the sports medicine industry as an infusion into recovery products. With the use of CBD either during or in the days running up to flight time, the negative effects of airplane travel on chronic pain conditions can be significantly reduced.
- In-flight Bouts of Anxiety CBD’s anxiolytic properties make it effective against onsets of aerophobia, claustrophobia or other conditions associated with travel anxiety. For many individuals with this particular anxiety disorder, long flights can be a particularly trying experience, especially without some form of anxiolytic medication.
- Post-flight Sleep Disorders one of the easiest ways to get through a long haul flight is to sleep through it. However, depending on flight time and the time at the destination, this can cause a disruption in natural sleep patterns, commonly known as jet lag. CBD can mitigate this disruption by increasing wakefulness throughout the day, ameliorating daytime narcolepsy and restoring normal circadian rhythms.
TSA Rules on Carrying CBD During Flight Time
Because marijuana is still technically illegal under federal law due to the DEA’s classification of THC under its drug scheduling system, there are some rules around bringing cannabis extracts — such as CBD products — onto an airplane. According to TSA guidelines, CBD products are allowed on planes as long as they contain an under 0.3% concentration of THC. If found on the plane, TSA officers will report any marijuana or cannabis extract products exceeding the maximum THC threshold to local law enforcement.
CBD brought on a plane is generally expected to be in your carry-on baggage and stored in a spill-proof container or bottle. Let’s go over the best way to take a dose of CBD during flight time without violating other related TSA guidelines.
The Best Way to Take CBD on a Plane
While vaping might be one of the most popular ways to consume CBD today, it’s not allowed during air travel for a number of reasons. While personal vaporizers are convenient due to their portability, they are still battery-powered devices that require charging and create vapor emissions in a closed cabin throughout the flight. Malfunctioning devices could lead to e-liquid leaks, explosions or even fires in the carry-on compartment, all of which are risks the TSA doesn’t want to take.
The best way to take CBD on a plane is to simply bring a spill-proof dropper bottle onboard and, when needed, take a dose of CBD sublingually or on the inside of the cheek. This way, passengers can enjoy the benefits of CBD without being inconsiderate of others or running afoul of TSA rules and risk prevention guidelines.
