CBD, it turns out, can be used in a variety of ways. Some of the most common ways of using and benefitting from cannabidiol include oil drops, edibles, and vape liquids. CBD topicals are another popular way to use it, but they are rare compared to other everyday products. The main reason for this is that CBD topicals interact with the body differently from all other products.
What exactly is it that makes so different, and how do they work?
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for its proper name cannabidiol, is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in hemp plants. It is the prominent cannabinoid that people associate with the plant’s numerous health benefits. The plant also contains many different terpenes that combine with the CBD for enhanced therapeutic benefits. For example, this Maui Wowie vape contains Myrcene, Pinene and B-Caryophyllene, which all help to relax you, reduce anxiety and inspire creativity.
Once extracted, CBD can be used to make a variety of health and supplement products. It is believed to offer a diverse range of health benefits, both mental and physical. An increasing number of people are adding CBD products into their diet and supplement routine as a result.
What Make CBD Topicals Different?
Most CBD products are ingested, meaning that they enter the body and work internally, providing benefits to the entire body. The most common CBD products that work in this way are edibles, capsules, and oils.
CBD topicals are different as they are not consumed but instead applied to the body’s outer layer. As a result, the CBD within them does not affect the whole body, but only the area to which they are applied.
CBD works by supporting the endocannabinoid system, responsible for the way in which the body responds to external stimuli and sensations. CBD can bind to a myriad of receptors within the skin, nerve, and muscle tissue to trigger a variety of benefits.
Unlike other CBD products, topicals only provide localized effects. This is because the CBD within topicals does not enter the bloodstream, as it does with ingested products, and therefore it cannot access the rest of the body.
Providing localized effects is considered a benefit of CBD topicals, making them much more effective at treating localized ailments.
CBD topicals do not interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the way that other CBD products do. Instead, they go straight to the anandamide and 2-AG neurotransmitters. This means that the effects of CBD topicals can be felt much quicker than with other CBD products.
Another benefit is that CBD topicals allow for specific areas of the body to be targeted directly. The area of the body that you apply topicals to receives the total dose of CBD, rather than it being shared across the entire body.
What Are the Benefits ?
The way in which they work means that they are often the most effective items for treating skin conditions and muscle stiffness. The CBD can penetrate the dermal layer to access muscles and joints, providing relief from aches and pains.
CBD topicals are many people’s preferred products for treating general aches and pains. The anti-inflammatory proprieties found within CBD make topical particularly effective when treating long-term pain caused by unnecessary inflammation in the body, for example, in cases of arthritis.
Evidence suggests that CBD topicals are the best option for treating skin irritations and conditions. Using CBD creams and other topicals regularly on problematic areas of skin has been shown to reduce the visible signs and the pain caused by skin inflammations, acne, and eczema.
CBD is also becoming a particularly popular ingredient in many beauty products. Hemp plants contain several ultra-hydrating compounds that work to moisturize when combined with other common ingredients in skincare products. The addition of CBD is trendy in anti-aging skincare products and is thought to slow down the visible signs of aging.
Different Types
CBD creams are the most traditional type of topical and can be used for everything from pain relief to treating acne. Most CBD creams are designed for an intended purpose, such as providing pain relief, hydration, or anti-inflammatory effects.
As they become ever more popular, brands are designing ways to incorporate them into daily life. Options such as CBD bath bombs, CBD sprays, and CBD patches are examples of just a few ways that topicals can be used and benefited from.
There is also growing demand for CBD hair care products, which work similarly to other topicals, except they provide benefits to the scalp and hair. CBD-infused conditioners are also top-rated and can be an effective way to repair dry and damaged hair.
