As cannabis continues to grow in popularity thanks to its countless health benefits, companies are providing consumers with many ways to get those benefits. Recently, CBD topicals have become all the rage, and rightfully so! Here’s everything you need to know about CBD topicals and how CBD can nourish your skin (as well as your entire body.)

CBD crash course

CBD, a shorthand for ‘Cannabidiol,’ is one of the 110+ known cannabinoids often found in mature cannabis plants. Unlike CBD’s famous cousin, THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. This means that CBD does not get consumers high. When considering cannabis and its compounds, CBD and THC are often represented as the pinnacle of cannabis products, with THC in the spotlight more than CBD. Until recently, CBD didn't always get the credit it deserves. This is due to the mass accessibility of CBD versus THC. Currently, CBD is legal in all states across the country.

CBD and Your Body

Did you know that you are biologically equipped to consume cannabis? The endocannabinoid system often referred to as the ‘ECS,’  is the system within the human body responsible for the distribution and digestion of cannabis. The endocannabinoid system is also found in many other common mammals and even a few amphibians. The ECS consists of nodes known as receptors designed to react to the many cannabinoids found in everyday cannabis. 

Understanding cannabis topicals

Topicals are lotions, creams, moisturizers, or other products designed to interact directly with the skins. Additionally, these topicals have been infused with compounds extracted from cannabis. These cannabis-infused lotions can come in the form of hemp lotions, canna-creams, cannabinoid-infused balms, or even moisturizers infused with a specific profile of terpenes. Cannabis topicals can provide sedative scents similar to Chamomile Kush’s relaxing joint or the earthy and pungent Sour Diesel. Researchers have been manufacturing cannabis topicals for several years. Before creating CBD-infused creams and moisturizers, hemp was often infused into these products.

Common Uses for Cannabis Topicals

The use of cannabis topicals has been held in high regard by those who are not interested in obtaining the effects of cannabis the ‘traditional way. By applying cannabis-infused topicals to the afflicted area directly, patients can experience immediate relief from inflammation and moderate amounts of pain. For this main reason, cannabis-infused topicals are held in high regard for their pain management abilities. This is likely due to the cannabinoids being able to travel through the dermal and subdermal levels of the body to interact with the Endocannabinoid System or ECS. The cannabis-infused lotions are then broken down and absorbed into the skin.

Evaluating transdermal cannabis products

Transdermal Patches are pretty similar to cannabis topicals but very different. Transdermal patches often appear like cessation patches. These patches are typically square or uniform in shape and can often be mistaken for a vast band-aid. Transdermal patches are designed to provide the body with a controlled amount of cannabinoids over a designated time. These cannabinoids can come in the form of psychoactive THC but are often infused with non-psychoactive CBD. Moreover, cannabis topicals are more accessible than transdermal patches. This is most likely due to the intended nature in which transdermal patches were designed to be used.

Similar to cannabis topicals, transdermal patches utilize the skin as a vehicle for transporting the infused cannabinoids into the body. However, transdermal patches are often isolated to a sole part of the body, while cannabis topicals can be rubbed into virtually any part of the body. Transdermal patches were created to serve a purpose that aligns with the use of Rick Simpson Oil (or RSO), meaning these patches were designed to assist patients who suffer from skin conditions, lesions, and irritation.