Cannabis Topical Cream: How and When to Use It

How and When to Use Cannabis Topical Cream

There are many different types of medical cannabis products to choose from, including edibles, tinctures, and smokable medical marijuana. However, many patients are not aware of the value of using cannabis topicals for pain relief.

Consuming medical cannabis may provide relief throughout the body. But what if you also need localized relief? Using cannabis topicals, such as CBD creams and cannabis-infused lotions, can help patients who suffer from joint pain, skin irritation, back and muscle discomfort, severe dry skin, and arthritis pain.

What Are Cannabis Topicals?

Cannabis topicals work much the same way as transdermal patches. When applied to the skin, THC topicals may provide therapeutic effects and provide localized relief. Utilizing cannabis topicals to treat joint pain and other conditions can be effective when used with other therapies.

Topicals are specialized products infused with cannabinoids. They typically contain both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol or CBD topicals have less than 0.30% THC content, whereas medical cannabis topicals have a higher THC content, averaging 200mg to 600mg per bottle.

If you have visited a dispensary or two, you may have noticed a wide variety of therapeutic creams made from the cannabis plant—everything from balms to thick creams, massage oil, roll-on ointments, and more. But if you have never used THC topicals before, you may have some questions about how they can help you manage symptoms better.

How Are Cannabis Topicals Made?

All medical cannabis products, except raw or whole flower (smokable), are processed. Cannabis flowers and stems undergo an extraction process, where valuable cannabinoids and terpenes are separated through C02 or ethanol extraction.

Once the cannabinoid-rich oil is extracted, it can be used to make various products, including vape liquid, edibles, and topical products. The extract is combined with a healthy carrier oil, such as coconut, shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba, tea tree oil, or hemp seed oil.

Some ingredients that may help with chronic pain relief or other symptoms are combined with the extracted oil. A topical product will contain herbs and other ingredients applied to the skin. Many topicals include Vitamin E and CBD isolate, extracted from agricultural hemp plants.

By combining different cannabinoids (the entourage effect), cannabis topicals work with the body’s endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors. That may help reduce inflammation, aid relaxation, and relieve stress and pain.

Potential Benefits of Cannabis Topicals

If other medical cannabis products are available at the dispensary, why would patients want to try topical products? After consulting with a medical professional, patients who experience sore muscles, moderate to severe menstrual cramps, migraines, arthritis, and other problems may find it helpful for symptom management.

Cannabis lotions may help patients who suffer from the following:

• Arthritis.
• Eczema.
• Psoriasis.
• Chronic pain.
• Migraines.
• Muscle spasms.
• Joint pain.
• Anxiety.
• Minor burns.
• Acne and other skin irritations.

When applied topically, some people feel relief within thirty minutes to one hour. Lotions are also portable, scent-free, and can be used anytime. Hemp cream dates back to ancient traditional medicine practices and can provide long-lasting relief in the affected area.

Cannabis Topicals and Heat Therapy

Combining cannabis topicals with heat therapy can enhance the pain-relieving effects of both treatments. Heat therapy, which involves applying heat to sore or painful areas, helps to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce stiffness. When used with cannabis topicals, the heat can help open pores and improve the absorption of cannabinoids into the skin, providing more effective localized relief. This combination is particularly beneficial for muscle pain, joint pain, and chronic pain conditions, as it helps to reduce inflammation and promote relaxation in the affected area. To use heat therapy with cannabis topicals, apply the topical product first and then use a heating pad or warm compress on the area for 15-20 minutes.

Using Topicals With Cold Therapy For Pain Relief

Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, involves applying cold to the affected area to reduce inflammation, numb pain, and decrease swelling. This method benefits acute injuries, joint pain, and muscle soreness. When combined with cannabis topicals, cold therapy can provide enhanced pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits. To use cold therapy with cannabis topicals, first apply the topical cream to the painful area. Then, use an ice pack or a cold compress on the area for 10-15 minutes. This approach can help to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation more effectively, providing immediate and soothing relief.

Can THC Topicals Cause Impairment?

Some patients need daytime relief while at work or outside the home and do not want to experience any psychoactive effects. The use of transdermal patches or full-spectrum THC lotions does not cause impairment, but it may help provide more than one therapeutic effect that can help make symptoms more manageable. Particularly when taking medical cannabis may not be an option at work while traveling or in other circumstances.

Can I Fail a Drug Test Because of THC Topical Cream?

When a topical cream is applied to treat pain or another symptom, it is absorbed into the skin. Your skin cells have both CB1 and CB2 receptors. When the topical product is absorbed, the cannabinoids engage with your body’s endocannabinoid system and start working immediately to help with inflammation and provide other therapeutic effects.

Although THC-infused topicals interact with cannabinoid receptors, the cannabinoids themselves do not pass into the bloodstream. This means that using THC topicals, such as cannabis creams and a CBD pain cream, should not result in a positive THC drug test. The same applies to CBD creams with less than 0.30% THC, which are designed for localized pain relief without causing psychoactive effects.

Topical products, including CBD oil lotion and full-spectrum hemp extract creams, provide relief when applied to the skin but do not cause impairment because they do not enter the bloodstream. This makes them a suitable option for pain management without affecting your ability to perform daily tasks. Additionally, these topicals will not increase impairment if you are using other forms of medical cannabis, such as edibles or tinctures, to manage chronic pain conditions.

Furthermore, topicals allow for targeted pain relief, which is particularly beneficial for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and muscle pain. Applying the topical directly to the affected area can effectively manage pain and inflammation while minimizing the risk of systemic side effects. As a result, patients can find relief from their symptoms without the concern of failing a drug test or experiencing unwanted psychoactive effects.

What Other Ingredients May Be Found in Most Topicals?

You can find a variety of different topicals at your local dispensary. There are many formulations to explore, depending on your wellness goals and the symptoms you want to address. Natural ingredients, including herbal extracts, are often included and may provide other health benefits.

Some of the most common medicinal herbs and extracts found in cannabis topical creams include:

Arnica Montana

This perennial herb is a relative of the sunflower family and originates in mountain areas of Europe. It has been used therapeutically for thousands of years as an herbal extract. Some active compounds in Arnica Montana include lactones, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenes.

Medicinally, Arnica Montana is one of the popular essential oils used for pain relief. It can also help with bruising, swelling, and injuries from sprains and strains. Some people also use creams with this herbal extract for minor skin irritations, insect bites, and rashes.

Peppermint

A hybrid plant bed from watermint and spearmint, peppermint not only has a pleasing scent when added to topical creams but can also provide many medicinal benefits. One of the most common uses of peppermint is to relieve migraines and muscle pain. It can provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits as well.

Ginger

Zingiber Officinale is the root of a flowering plant from Southeast Asia. Ginger’s therapeutic compounds or bioactive ingredients include gingerol, shogaol, and paradol. When applied in a topical cream, ginger offers potent anti-inflammatory benefits and can help with muscle soreness, migraines, and menstrual pain.

Eucalyptus

Native to Australia, there are more than 700 species of Eucalyptus trees, and the oil from the leaves has been used for centuries in natural medicine. When applied as a topical cream, Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and powerful anti-inflammatory potential.

Tumeric

Curcuma Longa is a relative of the ginger family and is found mostly in India and Southeast Asia. It is one of the highest-known sources of curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Clinical studies suggest that turmeric can help with symptoms of arthritis and chronic inflammation.

Camphor

Inside the wood of camphor trees found in Asia is a crystal-white substance with a strong aroma. The medicinal uses of camphor include relief of itching, skin irritation, and pain relief. It also has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Calendula

Also called Pot Marigold, it is a vibrant flowering plant that is related to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and found primarily in Europe. Extracted oil from the flowerheads of calendula can nourish sensitive skin and help with dryness, rashes, and irritation. It is also used for natural wound healing and offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

How to Use Cannabis Topicals

if you are new to using THC-infused topical creams or ointments, there are a few steps to follow to ensure you get maximum results. You have a better chance of feeling the nonpsychoactive benefits of using THC topicals on your skin if you follow these six tips.

1. Clean and Exfoliate Skin

To get the most benefit from your cannabis topical cream or balm, ensure you prepare your skin correctly. After a bath or shower is the ideal time to apply cannabis topicals. Not only is your skin clean, but warm water helps to open the pores on your skin. And that helps the cannabinoids and medicinal extracts absorb better into your skin.

Gently exfoliate your skin to remove dried or dead skin cells. Then, could you use a towel to pat the area dry with a towel? To get maximum absorption of your cannabis topical cream, apply it to the skin within ten minutes after you have left the bath or shower.

2. Confirm Use Guidelines Provided by the Manufacturer

Each bottle of cannabis topicals has a use guideline on the label. While cannabis topicals will not cause impairment (they do not pass through the blood barrier), using too much topical cream can, in some cases, cause skin irritation. Check the label to make sure you are following the instructions provided.

3. Apply Generously

When using cannabis-infused topicals and lotions, you want to apply the product generously to the affected areas. Some lotions are formulated for fast absorption, but to make sure that cannabis topicals are fully absorbed, you want to make sure that you are applying the correct amount.

Again, follow the manufacturer’s daily maximum use guideline to determine the quantity of full-spectrum cannabis-infused products you apply daily. If you plan on reapplying cannabis topicals more than once a day, divide your maximum use amount equally based on the number of times you plan to use the topical.

4. Wash Your Hands

Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after you have applied the cannabis product. Some types of topical cannabis products have extracts that provide a cooling sensation, which can feel strange on your hands when the active ingredients are absorbed.

Some people prefer to wear gloves when applying cannabis-infused products or topical creams. However, your hand’s natural warmth can help effectively massage the active ingredients into your skin with less wasted product.

5. Wait at Least One Hour Before Assessing Results

Topical cannabis products can take up to one hour before you may feel any sensations. When you begin using topical products to help with pain, inflammation, anxiety, or other conditions, it takes some time to determine the right amount to use.

Wait for sixty minutes before reapplying cannabis topicals. Some patients keep a journal to help them track how much they use and the locations where they apply the THC topicals. For example, if you have lower back discomfort, you may find applying a cannabis-infused topical higher up on your back helps. Muscle tension in surrounding areas

6. Reapply if Needed

When you have figured out the maximum amount of transdermal gel, topical CBD oil, or other topicals you can use daily, monitor your results, some patients see better-localized relief and pain management benefits when they apply topicals twice daily.

Do Cannabis Topical Creams Expire?

Yes, cannabis topical creams do expire. Like other skincare and medicinal products, cannabis topicals have a shelf life and can lose their effectiveness over time. The expiration date is influenced by several factors, including the quality of ingredients, the type of carrier oil used, and how the product is stored. Most cannabis topicals come with a “best by” date on the packaging, typically ranging from 12 to 24 months from the production date. To ensure the longevity of your cannabis topical cream, store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Always check the expiration date before use, as using an expired product may result in reduced efficacy and potential skin irritation.

If you are interested in learning more about how cannabis topicals work, visit your local dispensary for advice. Or talk to your MedWell Health physician to discuss whether topicals can help you reach your symptom management goals.