Written by Megan Lane
The buzz around cannabidiol is at an all-time high. Commonly referred to as CBD, this natural supplement is a cleaner option in comparison to pharmaceuticals. In recent years, CBD topicals, tinctures, and edibles are touted as “wonder drugs,” and for good reason.
To date, 113 cannabinoids have been discovered in the hemp plant, and CBD and CBG are our personal faves. CBD possesses a wealth of benefits that can replace the need for modern medication. When topicals contain CBG, it’s usually due to its ability to amplify the effects of CBD.
The research is promising, and people are reporting that using CBD-infused topicals is beneficial and rewarding.
What’s All The Hype About?
Cannabidiol — AKA, CBD — restores bodily functions and regulates sleep, appetite, electrolytes, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, body temperature, and mood.
CBD promotes homeostasis. Period.
However, the primary reasons for using CBD are reducing seizures in individuals with epilepsy, soothing pain associated with arthritis, promoting creativity, and easing depression.
Nonetheless, CBD topicals like lotions and balms are specifically designed for treating localized pain.
Studies suggest that CBD possesses pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Is your pain limited to one area, or perhaps several parts of the body? If so, you may benefit from applying topicals infused with cannabinoids every day to affected areas of the body.
CBD minimizes the discomfort and pain associated with muscle spasms and sporadic soreness. When you suffer from a whole host of afflictions, you’ll fare well when medicating with CBD topicals. The active cannabinoids penetrate the skin’s barrier and reach a neurotransmitter that blocks pain. In doing so, physical pain is subdued and occasionally wiped out altogether.
With CBD, you can reap the benefits with minimal psychoactive effects. People often wonder, ‘Why should I use CBD?
“CBD skincare products ease the symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions and tackle dryness, redness, irritation, scarring, and acne. The research is still in the preliminary stages, but it’s possible that CBD can also minimize the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and wrinkles,” Megan Lane had stated for High Times.
Unlike pharmaceuticals like Motrin or Tylenol, topicals generally take effect in 10 minutes and last for 8 to 12 hours. But some fortunate people experience relief within five minutes. More and more people are taking advantage of CBD topicals, thanks to the quick onset and long-lasting effects.
CBD Products Are Legal, Despite Some Containing THC
The 2018 Farm Bill necessitates that hemp-derived products must contain no more than 0.3% THC in order to be legal. And the THC percentage that’s required to experience mind-altering effects calls for a much, much higher dose.
Delta-9 THC is the cannabinoid in cannabis that makes you feel intoxicated or stoned. However, most CBD topicals technically do contain a little bit of THC in them.
Kristina Risola, Cannabis Health Coach, told our team’s newest blogger that “People often think CBD isn’t psychoactive.”
“The fact that it treats certain mental health disorders shows you just how psychoactive it is. However, it is non-impairing,” she added.
Full-spectrum CBD always has a smidge of THC within the legal limits, and broad-spectrum hemp and CBD isolate generally contain no THC at all.
The active cannabinoids interact with the CB2 and CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system — everyone’s body houses one. CBD topicals activate the receptors on the epidermis and dermis, causing a chain reaction leading to an overall sense of wellness.
How Are CBD Topicals Made?
The base ingredient is infused with medicinal herbs, botanical extracts, and CBD, THC, CBN, or CBG. You can choose from CBD lotions, creams, balms, salves, lubricants, suppositories, moisturizers, arousal oils, and more.
Many brands do throw plant-based extracts into the mix to give their hemp topicals a little extra oomph. The most commonly used herbs and essential oils are rosehips, squalane, aloe vera, and magnesium.
Herbs boast healing properties that suppress chronic and acute pain, soothe menstrual cramps, promote clear skin and ease menopausal symptoms.
You see, CBD and herbs share a lot in common.
You can choose from scented or unscented CBD topicals. Some people find a large assortment of options exciting to choose from, while many encounter confusion. Which one is the best? How do I know this will help? Are CBD products a bunch of jive? And all of these are valid questions.
We tested dozens and dozens of topicals before handpicking a curated selection of the top eight CBD, CBG, and THC topicals on the market.
Fifth & Root Salvation, $48
This balm is carefully crafted by chemists and herbalists to treat achiness. You should notice the pain becoming much milder roughly five minutes after massaging onto your skin. Fifth & Root Salvation is power-packed with ingredients that have been used for centuries for what the brand coined “a whole body salvation”.
The botanical extracts — which include arnica, plantain, and buddha wood (used by monks when they’re in a meditative state) — fight people’s pain in conjunction with 300mg of full-spectrum CBD. When combined, there are several benefits: Reduced inflammation, soft and supple skin, minimal discomfort, and natural aromatherapy effects. The salve also contains terpenes from the hemp plant; they help the active cannabinoids penetrate deeper into the skin for added relief.
Papa & Barkley Releaf Body Oil, $39.99
Papa & Barkley sells a wide range of topicals and other hemp products, in addition to their epic cannabis collection. Our team of writers and editors are partial to P&B’s Releaf Body Oil, which contains CBD ( less than 0.3% THC). Each bottle holds 400mg of full-spectrum hemp extract and a soothing essential oil blend that we just can’t get enough of.
People can use this body oil to quench dry skin, and relieve post-workout soreness and muscle cramps (or just as a massage oil.) And now that summer has begun, our skin is more susceptible to dehydration. When applied to damp skin after bathing, this oil helps better retain moisture.
INSA Kalee 20:1 CBD/THC Salve, $40
When combining CBD with THC in topicals, there are some added benefits. You won’t go wrong with INSA’s new collection, which consists of one cream and a salve that have different ratios of cannabinoids. The THC doesn’t enter the bloodstream in this form, resulting in no high or euphoria. However, chronic and acute pain is alleviated. This is due to THC’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Kalee — the dispensary’s name for the two new topicals they added to their in-house lineup of cannabis products — is ideal for anyone suffering from back, muscle, and joint aches. And nothing beats the fact that relief comes swiftly — a mere minute or two after application.
The proprietary blend consists of a few hero ingredients, including organic coconut-derived MCT Oil, organic beeswax, and full spectrum cannabis oil. Eucalyptus and spearmint are thrown into the formula for good reason. Both herbs naturally contain numbing and pain-relieving properties that instantly kick in while you’re waiting for the CBD and THC to take effect.
Hello Again Daytime Relief, $12
Menopause is hella unpleasant and typically occurs in females between the ages of 40 and 55. Common symptoms include Hot flashes, sleep interruptions, vaginal dryness and itching, painful sex, and mood fluctuations. Hello Again created two formulations for vaginal suppositories that are designed for during the day and throughout the night.
Cannabis’s healing effects are bolstered by an array of infused botanicals. Daytime Relief contains an 8:1 ratio — equaling 16 mg of CBD and 2 mg of THC per suppository. Nighttime Relief boasts a higher THC content to treat different menopausal symptoms.
When used together, you’ll experience better focus, a boost in mood, temperature regulation, comfortable sex, and better vaginal lubrication. And if you haven’t reached menopause yet, don’t worry; this unique product heightens arousal for everyone.
Prima Recovery R + R Cream, $55
Three years have passed, but the pandemic hasn’t come to an end. Who doesn’t need a little rest and relaxation? Prima Recovery R+R Cream is a pleasant combo of 750 mg of broad-spectrum hemp oil and botanical extracts. Simply rub the product onto any part of your body where you might need some comfort. And within a few minutes, the pain fades away.
Living with debilitating chronic or sporadic pain conditions prevents people from living life to the fullest. Some people slouch down in a chair while sitting in front of a computer screen (no judgment here.) But it isn’t ideal to remain in this posture for an extended period of time. The way we sit is often the main culprit when it comes to backaches. But R+R is a favorable option for suppressing the associated symptoms of most ailments.
TheraBalm Rose Body Balm, $35
TheraBalm Rose Balm is a decadent topical containing 600 mg of full-spectrum CBD and 300 mg of CBG. This thoughtful formulation can minimize the appearance of scars and skin conditions like eczema, while soothing pain and soreness. You’re not going to find a product quite like this one (we may be biased, but it’s true.)
CBG amplifies the effects of mankind’s fan-favorite cannabinoid, CBD. When CBD companies sell topicals infused with arnica, cayenne, menthol, or camphor, consumers experience an instant cooling and warming sensation following application. However, these irritating ingredients sting or burn a new cut that’s scabbing over.
The founder opted for CBG because this penetrative cannabinoid won’t result in pain once you’ve applied a generous amount on bug bites, scabs, cuts, scars, sore or achy body parts, and scrapes.
Happy Dance CBD Body Butter, $30
The actress Kirsten Bell teamed up with the beloved CBD brand, Lord Jones, to create Happy Dance. They sell more affordable hemp products that are equal in terms of quality. The CBD Body Butter comes in a large (nearly 7 oz) colorful container, and it’s lightweight, whipped, and designed for use from head to toe.
You won’t feel greasy after application, which gives this topical major bonus points. And the primary ingredients (cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil, plant extracts, and 200 mg of full-spectrum CBD) soothe stressed-out skin while providing your body with antioxidants and heavenly hydration.
Dr. Kerklaan Natural CBD PMS Cream, $39.99
Ladies, we all know that PMS is a bitch. One of the most aggravating and uncomfortable symptoms is abdominal cramping and bloating. When our stomachs are distended, we then suffer from lower backaches, too.
Dr. Kerklaan’s cleverly worded motto is “Don’t let PMS cramp your style.” Once you give this topical a shot, you’re gonna understand why we fell in love with it.
The doctor who founded the company formulates this dream cream and works alongside biochemists to find the best ingredients to pair with CBD for an all-natural, effective remedy. The vanilla and verbena can uplift your mood (PMS causes depression and mood fluctuations from hormonal changes). And 120 mg of
Full-spectrum CBD fights the physical hell we’re forced to tolerate once every single month.
