WHAT ARE CBD TOPICALS?

If you are not new to pain and inflammation, you have probably heard of CBD topical. These CBD products offer more than just a relief to pain and inflammation. This article talks about CBD topical in-depth, what they are and how they are made.

CBD has many health benefits and can be used in many ways, one being topical. Topical are salves, balms, lotions, oils, and ointments applied to the skin to deliver CBD into the body without being consumed orally, allowing the CBD to work locally in the areas that need it most. This article gives you more information about CBD topical, what they are, how they are made, their advantages, and their side effects.

What Are CBD Topical

Cannabis contains two components that stand out, CBD and THC, which have been studied by many curious scientists. Khaleghi (2020) explained that CBD is the favorite because of its mind-blowing medical possibilities. It is made into beneficial products for many enduring arthritis and inflammations, among other conditions. The main forms of CBD products are edibles or gummies, CBD oil, and topical.

CBD topicals are creams, salves, balms, and oils that can be applied directly to the skin to treat localized aches and pains, resulting in more targeted and faster relief than ingested products. They are made with cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active ingredients in marijuana plants that have been shown to have medical benefits but do not make people feel high like THC does. Stella et al. (2021) explained that you could think of topical CBD as a pain reliever that you apply locally instead of ingesting through your mouth or nose like typical lotions or sprays. These are great options if you want to enjoy the benefits of CBD while also getting access to powerful antioxidants such as vitamin E and some vitamin B6 and vitamin C. These topical products are normally paired with other compounds that have a refreshing effect on the skin, resulting in healthier skin.

How Are They Made

Although CBD topicals come in many forms, including balms, salves, and oils, most are made by infusing high-quality hemp flowers or leaves with a base carrier oil. The best base oils for topical application are light-colored and odorless to blend well with other ingredients. Popular base oils include olive oil and jojoba oil. Don't use vegetable glycerin as it can cause acne. Once your base oil is picked, you'll want to add your carrier oils. These are what give your topical its healing properties and scent. Popular choices include organic hemp seed oil, shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower seed oil. You can also infuse them with different herbs if you'd like to give them a unique smell or to help address specific skin issues. There are many CBD products and topicals manufacturers, and each of them might have unique and secret ingredients they add to their products. So picking the right product is key if you fully want to enjoy CBD healing capabilities.

The Advantages of Using Them

Nayak & Misra (2018) explained that the most important advantage of using them is that they provide relief. This first relief is because topical products are directly applied to your skin, efficiently targeting problem areas of pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Some people who can't smoke prefer to use these products rather than edibles or other forms of weed which give you higher but not so much relaxation as topicals do. Other advantages include easy application, non-intoxicating experience, and longer-lasting relief compared to smoking/vaping.

CBD Balms and Gels are a faster way of getting relief, with the skin absorbing topicals into the bloodstream within minutes. Compared to edibles, topicals enter the bloodstream faster because edibles have to pass through the ingestive system. Edibles might take 30 minutes to 1 hour, while topicals only take 15 minutes for the user to feel the calming and relaxing effect. An easy and faster way to enjoy the magic of CBD products.

Although CBD Cream have many advantages, you must be careful. If you are used to other pharmaceutical drugs, you shouldn't rush to use topicals to replace them. Rather you should carefully discuss with your doctor if CBD topicals will be right for you; you can also choose to start using a lower dosage of topicals to see if they are right for you.

Side Effects

Topicals come with few side effects, but most users of topicals don’t experience any. Schräder et al. (2021) explained that depending on how you use CBD topicals; you might experience side effects like inflammation or itchiness in your skin. These result from irritation from not thoroughly cleaning your skin before using topicals. To ensure that you don’t experience any side effects from using topicals, make sure to follow these guidelines:

First

Make sure to clean your face before applying a CBD topical product by washing it gently with warm water, soap, or an oil-free cleanser to avoid removing any natural oils.

Second

Apply only a few topical products to reduce the chances of irritation or an allergic reaction.

Even though most people do not experience any side effects, a minority of users do. Because of that, it is crucial always to follow some simple guidelines to avoid unpleasant results or, in serious cases, even risks to your health. Lipman et al. (2018) explained that these side effects of CBD topical usually include redness, itching, and burning sensations caused by an allergic reaction. People with sensitive skin are most likely affected by these issues and often cannot use topicals without experiencing issues. You should be careful when using topicals or consult with a dermatologist before using topicals if you have sensitive skin because they might cause adverse reactions. One way of countering these reactions is by performing a patch test, which applies just a little amount of CBD topicals on your palm to see if you react to them.

Conclusion

CBD topicals are products such as lotions, balms, and salves that have been infused with a cannabinoid like cannabidiol (CBD). These products are used to relax sore muscles and even skin conditions. Many people use these products for therapeutic benefits. They can relieve arthritis, psoriasis, diabetic neuropathy pain, inflammation, and discomfort. While topical CBD on your skin is a great way to administer medical marijuana, it's always best to do it in conjunction with traditional medication. Topical CBD is effective if you suffer from muscle pain due to injuries or just normal strains you might have gotten while exercising or doing something as simple as lifting something heavy at work or home.

Reference                

Khaleghi, M. (2020). New arthritis foundation guidelines on CBD use could be the first of many more. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 26, 8-11.

Lipman, Z. M., Labib, A., & Yosipovitch, G. (2021). Current clinical options for the management of itch in atopic dermatitis. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 14, 959.

Nayak, K., & Misra, M. (2018). A review of recent drug delivery systems for the posterior segment of the eye. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 107, 1564-1582.

Schräder, N. H., Gorell, E. S., Stewart, R. E., Duipmans, J. C., Harris, N., Perez, V. A., ... & Bolling, M. C. (2021). Cannabinoid use and effects in patients with epidermolysis bullosa: An international cross-sectional survey study. Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 16(1), 1-13.

Stella, B., Baratta, F., Della Pepa, C., Arpicco, S., Gastaldi, D., & Dosio, F. (2021). Cannabinoid formulations and delivery systems: Current and future options to treat pain. Drugs, 81(13), 1513-1557.