This week we are diving into the basics of CBD Topicals as part of our ABCs of CBD feature!
To review, CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound produced by cannabis and hemp plants. CBD has many health benefits but, unlike THC, does not produce the feeling of being high. This is making CBD an increasingly popular product for growing numbers of people to help treat a wide variety of ailments, particularly topicals.
What is a Topical?
By definition, in medicine, a topical is a treatment applied directly to the body. Topicals generally come in the form of creams, foams, gels, lotions, balms, and ointments.
What are CBD Topicals?
CBD topicals are often in the form of lotions, balms, gels, and creams. These topicals are infused with CBD to create a skin-friendly remedy that contains the medical properties of CBD. CBD topicals are most popularly used for managing flame and inflammation.
CBD topicals work by penetrating the skin to provide targeted relief, without entering the bloodstream. This makes them a popular choice for people who wish to focus the healing properties on specific problem areas rather than feel the effects throughout their bodies. CBD topicals have been shown to provide relief for a variety of pain, headache, and skin issues such as:
- Joint or muscle pain – view our “My CBD Story” video about Janice M’s pain relief story.
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Headaches/migraines
- Menstrual cramps
- Arthritis
Additional Advantages of CBD Tinctures
Research has shown that CBD topicals are also a great preventative medicine. Using these topicals routinely allows the body to build a level of CBD in those areas and prevent worsening inflammation.
“It’s just preventative maintenance,” says Lo Friesen, a lead chemist for a cannabis wellness company. “For example, people who have arthritis in their hands who use [CBD topicals] on their hands every day are going to have less pain, less inflammation. They’re going to have less pain in their hands over time than people who use it to treat [the pain as it happens].”
Important Product Terms
When shopping for CBD topicals, you will often see the following terms. Knowing what they mean will help you determine the best product for you.
CBD isolate: pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids or THC
Broad-spectrum CBD: contains most cannabinoids, but it generally doesn’t include THC
Full-spectrum CBD: contains all of the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC
If you or someone you love is currently experiencing body and joint pain, we strongly recommend exploring our website and discovering which CBD Topical products are right for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our experienced staff members for recommendations and advice.