From flowers to vapes to edibles, there is a product to suit everyone’s individual preferences and needs. But if you’re not interested in smoking or eating your cannabis, what other options are there? What if you’re looking for localized pain relief without a strong THC-related high? Read on to learn more about cannabis topicals and how they could be a great option for you.
What are Cannabis Topicals?
Topicals are cannabis-infused products that can be applied directly to the skin. The cannabinoids within the topicals are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream where they interact with our endocannabinoid system, where research has shown it can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation.
The Benefits of Cannabis Topicals
Cannabis topicals come in many different forms, including:
- Lotions and Creams: Usually water-based, cannabis creams and lotions have a thinner consistency that allows for faster skin absorption.
- Ointments: These contain more oil than creams and lotions, resulting in a thicker and stickier consistency that takes longer to be absorbed by the skin.
- Balms: Balms and salves are extremely thick because they contain waxes and fatty oils. Balms create a barrier on top of the skin rather than being absorbed, so it allows nutrients and cannabinoids to stay on your skin for longer.
- Oils: CBD-infused oils can be ingested orally or rubbed into the skin.
- Gels: This topical has a cooling effect, which can feel great when treating a headache or even when trying to clear out your sinuses.
- Transdermal patches: Similar to how nicotine patches work, these patches stick to the skin and are infused with CBD and other ingredients to provide localized pain relief.
The type of cannabis-infused topical you use may change based on your preferences and what issues you want to address. Overall, cannabis topicals are great for relieving discomfort and pain, reducing inflammation, and soothing skin irritations such as eczema or acne. Relieving neck pain and joint stiffness with CBD-infused topicals has also shown to help relieve migraines.
The different types of topicals also have unique benefits. Some topicals are infused with THC, but because THC is not easily absorbed through the skin, it isn’t likely that you’ll experience a psychoactive high. Lotions and creams are a great, lightweight option if you’re looking for skin benefits. Thicker salves and ointments may help relieve more severe skin irritations and pain because they stay on the skin longer. Transdermal patches contain a highly concentrated amount of CBD, and they can stay on the skin for several days and can be great for pain and inflammation relief.
However, like any new product you apply to your skin, keep an eye out for any rash, irritation or allergic reaction you might experience.
You can check out Neighborgoods products online or at multiple Ohio and Massachusetts dispensaries.
