What are CBD Topicals?
CBD infused topicals are creams, lotions, or transdermal patches which are applied on the skin surface, or massaged deeper into the muscle tissue to provide relief. CBD topicals are so named after cannabidiol, which is the major active ingredient in them.
Cannabidiol or CBD is a Popular non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the 100s of compounds found in cannabis. These compounds are typically referred to as cannabinoids.
The fast-rising popularity of CBD topicals and other CBD-based products is down to the numerous potential benefits that CBD has for general wellbeing. There have been multiple reports of reduced pain and inflammation as a result of CBD use.
Another reason for the popularity of CBD topicals is their efficiency in helping various skin conditions. Cannabidiol also acts as an antioxidant and has been shown to have anti-aging properties on the skin. You can get a good range of CBD topicals on https://www.pokocbd.co.uk/collections/cbd-topical.
How are CBD Topicals made?
In some cases, CBD topicals consist exclusively of cannabidiol. However, in most cases, they contain other minor cannabinoids. They are also frequently produced as an oil with a broad spectrum that contains both CBD, other minor cannabinoids and terpenes.
While cannabis usually gets a bad rep for its intoxicating effects, that is down to another cannabinoid known as (THC). THC is typically not present in most CBD topical products. In the rare cases where it is present, it does not exceed a 0.3% composition.
CBD is traditionally extracted from either hemp or marijuana plant. For most manufacturers, the hemp plant is favored due to its lower THC content. The extracted CBD is diluted in a carrier oil. The most common carrier oils used with CBD are coconut, olive, and hemp seed oil.
Depending on the nature of the topical, other ingredients can go into it:
- Salves are typically a combination of coconut or olive oil, beeswax, and CBD oil.
- Creams are thicker than lotions but not as thick as salves so, they usually have less oil than salves but more than lotions. They can also contain other essential oils.
- Lotions often contain oil, water, an emulsifying agent, and CBD
Other extra ingredients that can be added are menthol, camphor, and arnica.
Are CBD Topicals Safe?
While medical marijuana remaining inaccessible in many states, CBD provides people with a legal way to seek therapeutic relief. People who are not familiar with the medical benefits of CBD might be confused and even skeptical about the claims that manufacturers make about their CBD infused products.
The 2018 US Farm bill that legalized hemp-derived CBD products at the federal level in the United States and placed them under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. Since then, there has been an upsurge of CBD-based products in the health and wellness industry. CBD infused topicals are part of this new range of products.
One important thing to note is that CBD is not addictive in the way opioids and alcohol can be. It has been noted that there are no withdrawal symptoms associated with the stop of CBD use. In fact, it is currently being tested as a potential tool for reducing withdrawal symptoms from addictive substances, and the early results are promising.
However, if you’re currently on any medication, it is important to inform your doctor that you want to use a CBD product. It has been noted to interact with certain drug compounds, which results in adverse side effects.
Steroids, Antihistamines, HIV antivirals are part of a select group of drugs that CBD is likely to interact with. This is because these drugs are metabolized in the body using a similar pathway as CBD. As you might not be privy to information on what pathways the drugs you take utilize, it is only necessary to carry your doctor along.
How To Use CBD Topicals
The major difference between CBD topicals such as lotions, salves, and creams is in the thickness or consistency of the product. Your choice of CBD topical should be based on what consistency you want the product to be, what you want to use it for, as well as the source or extraction method of the CBD that is infused within the topical.
Creams are beneficial for dry skin because they are thicker. Salves, on the other hand, are slightly less viscous because they are made from oil and wax; they typically do not contain water. Since creams contain water, they are absorbed into the body faster than salves, and as such, may help ease muscle pain faster.
CBD creams and topicals do not only benefit the skin surface but can also potentially work below the skin. When CBD is applied topically to the skin, it permeates through the skin pores ten times more than THC, which enables it to penetrate both the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin.
Typically, the application of CBD topicals is followed by a soft-tissue massage of the affected area to ensure that the contents get absorbed into the body.
Where Can I Buy CBD Topicals?
The answer to this question depends on the legislation in your state. However, due to the relatively safe nature of CBD, it is easily accessible in most regions. In fact, for most people, getting CBD based products is as easy as making an online purchase.
CBD-based creams and lotions are also typically sold as over-the-counter pain relief at most pharmacies and stores nationwide. The reason for the ease of access to CBD products is that they are not prescription drugs.
Things to Watch Out for When Buying CBD Topicals
If you’re a first-timer looking to make a purchase, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
Manufacturer Details
Since the product is relatively new in the market, looking out for clearly branded products is a must. This isn’t difficult to spot as most manufacturers are proud to associate their brands with their products, as can be seen here.
Things you should take note of apart from the name of the brand, including the location of their lab and their certificate of analysis(CoA). The CoA is particularly important because it proves that the product has been tested in an independent lab and found fit for consumption. Most manufacturers flaunt their CoA on their website.
Product Review
A product review is a peek into the manufacturer’s view of the product. It typically contains information like the active ingredients in the product, instructions for usage, and possible side effects.
Considering that CBD based topicals vary in the constitution depending on the manufacturer, a product is absolutely relevant for your use. It can help you decide if a product is good for you or not. Apart from CBD, the product may contain some other ingredient that is disagreeable with your body system or your current medication.
If you can’t seem to find a comprehensive product review for any product you’re interested in buying, you are better off leaving it. Chances are the product that is a substandard product.
Extravagant Claims
In a bid to outsell the competition, a lot of CBD manufacturers have taken to publishing unconfirmed claims. While CBD oil has produced truly astonishing results for many people, these results are not enough for any manufacturer to make independent claims.
Whether you notice them in advertising media or product reviews, be careful of extravagant claims. It is typically a sign of a dishonest manufacturer who is willing to do anything for profit. If they can lie about the claims, how can you be sure they’re not lying about the composition?
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are a surefire way to tell the efficacy of a product. Firsthand customer experiences usually give new customers an idea of what to expect when using a product.
Most manufacturers have the ability to regulate the reviews on their webpages and very often do so. The common practice is to remove or hide negative or critical responses that can dissuade potential customers. If, however, the product is available on other e-commerce websites like Amazon, that would be a good place to start. A good rule of thumb is to check the poorest reviews first, they are often the most detailed and give you an idea of potential problems you might face when using the product.
There is also a plethora of independent CBD review websites that can be trusted to review products for their efficacy. You can look up a couple of them for your product of choice.
Conclusion While CBD Topicals are becoming popular by the day, it is important to note that not all CBD products are the same. The efficacy of the products depends on more than just the CBD in them. This is why it is important to take precautions and speak to a doctor before making a purchase. Doctors are more aware of the key ingredients in the products and will see to it that you get a product that works for you/