Throughout documented history, humans have used cannabis in its various forms for different reasons. In recent decades, however, the cannabis sativa plant has predominantly been associated with the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) phytocannabinoid, and this is largely owing to the compound’s psychoactive properties.
The truth is that plants within the Cannabis genus contain more than 500 biologically active compounds about which little is known. This lack of quality research is mostly attributable to THC’s long-standing legally restricted status across the globe.
After THC, the second most tested analyzed compound in the Cannabis sativa plant is the non/anti-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBD, the naturally occurring compound in what is commonly referred to as hemp or industrial hemp. Unlike THC-rich medical and recreational marijuana, CBD from hemp plants doesn’t induce the psychoactive effects that produce the sensation of being high.
For those just now familiarizing themselves with CBD, the hemp-derived phytocannabinoid was legalized and regularized in all 50 states under the 2018 farm bill, making it lawful to cultivate, process, and distribute cannabis containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
Given that both THC and hemp-derived CBD materials stood in legal limbo for so many years, the process of finding the right CBD product to fit your lifestyle may seem confusing at first glance. While CBD tinctures and edibles are among the most popular options for administering cannabidiol, several other preferred methods remain available.
In this article, we’ll explore the potential upsides of CBD topicals, such as creams, lotions, and gels, and how these products might help target and relieve pain and inflammation at the skin level.
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How do CBD topicals work?
Before jumping into the many potential therapeutic benefits of CBD topical skin creams and oils, it’s helpful to first understand what they are and how they work. As mentioned above, cannabidiol is just one of the hundreds of compounds discovered in the cannabis sativa plant.
CBD is a cannabinoid, like THC. Its purported health and wellness benefits lay in its ability to interact with Cannabinoid (CB) 1 and Cannabinoid (CB) 2 receptors within the human endocannabinoid system.
While CBD extracts are most often ingested orally to produce their desired effects, they can also be applied topically to the skin. For CBD to work as a therapeutic, all that’s required is a body system interaction with the cannabinoids. These receptors influence virtually every function of the body, including regulation and healthy skin function.
CBD topical oils differ from other orally ingested cannabidiol products, such as tinctures and edibles. When ingesting a CBD capsule, for example, your liver does the primary work of metabolizing the plant-derived cannabinoids, sending the remainder of the CBD compound through your digestive tract and bloodstream.
The downside to orally administering CBD is that it can take hours for your system to process the substance before you feel the effects, and at least a trace amount of the compound is usually sacrificed in the digestion process. This is why skin creams and lotions may benefit some patients and CBD consumers.
Now that we know how CBD topicals work, let’s dive into the details of how a few specific products might help relieve difficult-to-treat conditions like joint pain and inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
What are CBD topical oils and skin creams, and how might they help?
We’ve briefly touched on the importance of phytocannabinoids in CBD and their relationship with the endocannabinoids produced within the human body above. But how can CBD topicals specifically help people with chronic skin issues?
Endocannabinoids serve as chemical messengers that communicate information to the endocannabinoid system that some researchers say is responsible for homeostasis, or the internal balancing mechanism required to sustain the human body.
So, why is a balanced endocannabinoid system so important, and how can CBD topicals benefit you? To begin with, most medical researchers and practitioners concur that an imbalanced endocannabinoid system is a primary contributor to disease, especially chronic disease.
The skin supports its own endocannabinoid system that determines its current state of health. An out-of-balance endocannabinoid system beneath the skin is what human biologists believe contributes to various chronic skin disorders like dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin cancer [1].
The latest research shows that for some patients struggling with chronic and difficult-to-treat skin conditions, supplementing your skin’s endocannabinoid system with topical CBD oil or cream products may help relieve irritation and restore healthy skin function.
Using CBD to target pain and skin inflammation
Recent inquiries into CBD’s medical value have already demonstrated that the may be effective at relieving general anxiety [2]. Another limited 2016 trial using rats revealed that CBD may have long-lasting effects countering inflammation and other discomforting symptoms associated with arthritis [3].
Let’s assume you’re only suffering from temporary muscle pain after intense exercise. CBD oil could be as effective as strong over-the-counter or prescription-based topical pain relievers while yielding fewer negative side effects. This is why so many have been gravitating to CBD as a supplementary skin therapeutic.
More research is needed to draw any definitive conclusions concerning analgesic, antispasmodic, and neuroprotective properties, but the studies conducted thus far are promising. If the current research continues to be supported by findings, the potential of CBD topicals to alleviate various chronic skin, muscle, and joint conditions is strong.
For some time, countless athletes across the globe have been using CBD topicals to relieve the pain associated with overstressed muscles. Thus far, anecdotal reports of its effectiveness are promising. CBD skin creams and topical oils may also help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms and protect diseased joints from incurring further damage.
Finally, CBD has been shown to trigger anandamide production [4]. This is one among two primary endocannabinoid system messaging vectors developed within the body. As anandamide production levels increase, the more inclined they are to bind with the CB1 receptors and eliminate bodily sensations of pain.
Can CBD topical relieve discomfort from chronic skin conditions?
The research into the subject of CBD as an effective pain reliever is relatively new, and more high-quality controlled studies are needed to determine if CBD really does mimic the effects of lipids found in healthy skin to modulate its key receptors.
That mentioned, the most current research suggests that topically applied CBD may target problem areas of the skin which could lead to improved dermatological health. If you’re suffering from discomfort associated with various chronic skin conditions such as allergic dermatitis, sunburn, skin itching, seborrhea, and eczema, CBD is definitely worth a try.
Most medical practitioners agree that modern consumption of CBD isn’t harmful. So, if you’re experiencing negative side effects from your current prescription medications, it is undoubtedly worth taking a look at the organically certified CBD skin creams and oils from Sugar Bottom Hemp. We have two premium topicals available -a hemp cream that targets arthritis and a popular healing salve.
The team at Sugar Bottom Hemp is committed to providing healthy, paraben-free CBD topicals, so continue reviewing our full suite of natural hemp products on our website, or connect with Sugar Bottom Hemp online for more info on our latest discounts and specials.
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Resources
- Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Skin Health and Disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927–942. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S286411
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
- Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European journal of pain (London, England), 20(6), 936–948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818
- Leweke, F. M., Piomelli, D., Pahlisch, F., Muhl, D., Gerth, C. W., Hoyer, C., Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., & Koethe, D. (2012). Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Translational psychiatry, 2(3), e94. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2012.15
