When you think of CBD, topical creams and ointments may not be the first product you consider. After all, there are many different ways to consume CBD, from edibles to tinctures and even CBD smokable products like pre-rolls, concentrates, and hemp flower.

But for help with localized pain relief, topical CBD products may work well for you. If you have thought about trying them out, here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about topical CBD products for medicinal use.

What Are CBD Topical Creams?

Agricultural hemp is extracted to create CBD oil. That oil can then be used to manufacture different types of topical CBD products. Many topicals include natural extracts and herbs that can help reduce inflammation and nourish skin cells.

Different Types of CBD Topicals to Choose From

Many people who use topical CBD products have a favorite type. It depends on how you plan to use the cream, ointment, or salve and what is easiest for you to apply. Here are some of the advantages of different topical CBD products.

Roll-On CBD Ointments

One of the great advantages of CBD roll-on ointments is that you don’t have to get your hands dirty. Some CBD ointment formulations are strong-smelling and can also absorb into the skin when applied by hand.

A roll-on topical CBD ointment has a mechanism that allows you to gently massage the ointment into the area you need it most. You do not need to squeeze the bottle to start dispensing the ointment. It will be applied wherever you contact the roller to your skin.

Cannabidiol Cream

This type of product has the same feel and consistency as other skin creams. Typically they are white in color and do not contain heavy perfumes. One of the nice things about CBD cream is how easy it is to apply or spread over a larger area, such as the back, arm, shoulders, or leg regions.

Topical CBD Salve

A CBD salve is typically not formulated with water and may contain mineral oil, silicones, animal fat, wax esters, or other formulations. Typically salves are chosen instead of ointments or creams because they are occlusive or create a physical barrier on top of the skin area and help retain moisture.

Salves may be a good choice if you are looking to both apply cannabidiol (CBD) to a local area and condition your damaged skin. They are typically rich in antioxidants which may also help repair cracks and dry skin conditions.

Infused-Massage Oil

Massage oil infused with CBD may be another option if you would like to therapeutically rub the affected area. Some CBD massage oils are formulated with natural extracts, herbs, and minerals that can feel warming or provide cooling relief in the area they are applied to.

Remember that whatever topical CBD products you use, they all work in the same basic way. The high anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help moderate localized pain symptoms. It can also help condition skin that has been injured and is often recommended for post-surgical recovery.

Some studies also suggest that topical CBD products may help reduce scarring of the skin by delivering essential nutrients to affected areas. Ask your doctor if CBD cream is safe to use for your unique wellness needs.

Intimate Lubricants

Many personal lubricants can have ingredients that may be irritating to sensitive skin. Specialty health stores and some online manufacturers provide organic CBD lubricants that may reduce discomfort and inflammation.

Transdermal Patches

This method of delivery is identical to popular nicotine patches. The products are sold in a box, and you peel off the backing of the transdermal CBD patch and apply it to the affected area.

Soothing Bath Salts or CBD Bath Bombs

Nothing feels better than soaking in a hot tub when your muscles are hurting. You can find many different bath salts, oils, and bath bombs that can help you reduce inflammation. Remember, CBD topical products can be absorbed better when the skin is clean, and during a bath, your pores also open due to the warmth.

What is the Average Shelf-Life of CBD Cream?

Like any other medicinal cream, topical CBD products have an expiration date. It will be printed on the outside of the label, so make sure you double-check, and discard it after the product has expired. Typically topical CBD products last 1-2 years after opening.

How Long Do the Effects of CBD Cream Last?

It depends on the product and the concentration of CBD in the cream. However, on average, CBD topicals typically start working in about fifteen to thirty (15-30) minutes. And the benefits can last up to six hours before you may reapply.

How Can CBD Topical Creams Help With Pain Relief?

If you are looking for a natural way to help with symptoms of pain, some clinical studies have shown that topical CBD products can be effective. CBD pain creams will not resolve or cure symptoms of pain, but they may help reduce the severity of certain types of localized pain.

If you have chronic pain and you are looking at different brains of broad spectrum CBD topicals, here are some of the ways it may help:

1. Anti-inflammatory Benefits

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation associated with pain. Inflammation can both cause certain types of pain or amplify sensations of discomfort. By inhibiting inflammatory markers, CBD creams may alleviate pain caused by a variety of conditions like arthritis or muscle strain.

2. Analgesic (Pain Reducing) Effects of CBD Cream

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body, which plays a role in regulating pain perception. CBD creams can target pain receptors, potentially reducing pain sensations and providing relief. When applied topically, CBD cream may help reduce pain symptoms in target areas where applied.

 

3. Neuropathic Pain Relief

Neuropathic pain arises from nerve damage or malfunction. CBD creams have been studied for their potential to alleviate neuropathic pain by modulating the ECS and reducing nerve-related pain signals. In plain language, CBD creams applied locally (at the site of discomfort) may help reduce pain sensations.

4. Muscular relaxation:

CBD creams can promote muscle relaxation and ease tension. This effect may be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing pain due to muscle strains, cramps, or spasms. Individuals with Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, and other conditions that experience involuntary muscle spasms may find CBD helpful in providing topical relief. A CBD topical may also be helpful for individuals taking prescription medications that may conflict with orally consumed cannabidiol supplements.

5. Help With Joint Pain

CBD creams may provide relief from joint pain caused by conditions like arthritis or injury. By reducing inflammation and interacting with pain receptors, CBD can potentially alleviate discomfort in the joints. Osteoarthritis patients may find topical CBD products help.

6. Headache and Migraine Help

Topical CBD creams can be applied to the temples, forehead, or neck to potentially alleviate headaches and migraines. CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties may help ease the pain associated with these conditions.

7. Post-Exercise Recovery

Do you know that muscle pain you experience after working out or strenuously exercising? That is a combination of muscle tears (which occur naturally during exercise) and a build-up of lactic acid and inflammation around the joints. CBD creams are often used by athletes or individuals engaging in physical activities. They may aid in post-exercise recovery by reducing inflammation, relieving muscle soreness, and promoting faster healing.

8. Skin Conditions and Pain

CBD creams can help alleviate pain associated with various skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties and potential to reduce itching or irritation can provide relief.

9. Surgical or Injury-Related Pain

Following surgery or injury, CBD creams can be used to manage localized pain and promote healing. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of CBD may help reduce pain levels during the recovery process. Some studies suggest that effective pain management can help reduce healing times.

10. Back and Neck Pain Relief

CBD creams can be applied topically to the affected areas of the back or neck to potentially relieve pain caused by muscle tension, spinal issues, or poor posture. The muscle-relaxing properties of CBD may help ease discomfort.

Can You Take a CBD Supplement and Use Topical CBD Products?

Many people wonder if it is possible to take too much CBD. And if they are interested in using different types of cannabidiol products (including topicals and supplements), that is a legitimate question to ask your physician. Product manufacturer safety guidelines should be on the label of any CBD therapeutic you use, including topical products. Make sure you read the suggested guidelines before using any CBD product.

Cannabidiol is not psychoactive; you should have no concerns about CBD making you feel impaired if you are using it as directed. While topicals are not absorbed into the bloodstream the way oral CBD supplements are metabolized, you should always talk to your doctor and get a medication review.

How Often Can You Use CBD Topicals?

Individual needs may vary, and your doctor is the best resource to consult with regarding your use of CBD topicals. However, as a general rule, most people can use topical CBD up to five times a day. Some manufacturers suggest using it no more than five times per day for a duration of seven consecutive days. Or intermittently as required.

What Are the Best Ways to Use CBD Topicals for Pain Relief?

Apply the cream, salve, balm, or ointment directly on the area where you want relief. However, there are some other tricks and tips that can help CBD topicals work even better.

For example, some people find that having a hot bath or shower before using a CBD topical is more effective. This makes sense because moisture and warmth help open skin pores, which may allow the CBD cream to be absorbed deeply and more rapidly.

Some people who have tried DocCBD topical PAIN products (roll-on or cream) have said they dispense it and apply a warm or cold compress on the area afterward. If you want to try this method, make sure you allow at least 15 minutes for the cream to be absorbed before placing a hot or cold compress.

Will I Fail a Drug Test After Using CBD Topicals?

If you work in a profession where randomized drug tests are conducted, you may have some concerns about using topical CBD products. However, based on many research studies, CBD lotion won’t make you fail a drug test.

Topicals penetrate the skin but do not pass the blood barrier and are not absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead, topical CBD lotions engage with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the area to provide relief.

Oral ingested CBD products can, however, show up on a drug test. This depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of CBD supplements taken, how you are ingesting CBD, body weight, and more.

The likelihood of CBD oral supplements creating a false positive test are low, but not impossible. That is because oral CBD supplements contain a small amount of THC. However, CBD is federally legalized as long as the product you are using has 0.30% THC or less and they are hemp-derived CBD products.

Can CBD Topicals Conflict with Prescription Drugs?

Compared to orally ingested cannabidiol (CBD) supplements, topical CBD products have a lower rate of drug conflict or negative interactions with prescription medications. Some drugs are broken down into enzymes by the liver, and CBD can interfere with those enzymes.

Drug interactions with CBD are not considered life-threatening for most people. However, if you are taking certain types of medications like antinausea (Marinol, Syndros, Cesamet) or anti-muscle spasm medications like Sativex or Epidiolex, please consult with your doctor.

Cannabidiol can reduce the efficacy of many drugs. There are approximately 50 medications available in the United States which may be contraindicated with CBD use. Those medications include thyroid medication (levothyroxine), the cardiac drug amiodarone, and seizure medications like lamotrigine, valproate, and clobazam.

Should I Talk to My Doctor About CBD Topical Creams?

Consider that any supplement, natural herbal remedy, and cannabidiol (CBD) may conflict with other over-the-counter or prescription medications you may currently be taking. As such, we recommend discussing any new supplements with your primary care provider before starting them.

How Do I Find the Best CBD Topicals?

Whether you are looking for CBD cream or other cannabidiol products, you want to do some research. There are so many products imported and sold in the United States that may not contain the ingredients or potencies listed on the label.

Broad Spectrum CBD is the highest quality topical or CBD supplement you can buy. It contains all the beneficial and active ingredients found in hemp but without THC. Full-spectrum CBD topicals and oral supplements will have 0.30% THC or less.

Reviews are a great place to start. Wherever you purchase your topical products or supplements, take a few minutes to see what other consumers have shared. It can help you avoid wasting money on substandard products that are less likely to work for you.

Do CBD Topicals Work for Everyone?

More research is required to understand the exact potencies or oral doses that may benefit people taking CBD supplements or using topical CBD products. In many cases where individuals state they noticed no benefit, it is because they have used a product that does not have enough cannabidiol content to be effective.

This is why looking for a certificate of analysis (COA) is so important. To make sure the certificate of analysis is valid, confirm the name of the laboratory and address online. There have been some cases where COA information was falsified.

Buyer beware. Take the time to read reviews and explore different products while confirming the quality of the ingredients in the CBD topicals or supplements you want to try.