When topicals are applied to the skin, they can potentially benefit not only the surface of the skin, but also below. When CBD is applied topically to the skin it penetrates both the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates appetite, mood, and pain and pleasure sensations. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can activate our body’s endocannabinoid system by binding to cell receptors in the skin, muscle tissues, and nerves. This interaction explains why the most common CBD cream uses are for chronic pain or inflammation.
“There is research to support that phytocannabinoids, like CBD, interact with receptors and other enzymatic factors within our skin that modulate pain and inflammation,” Chasen said. “Because the skin is actually quite thick, when you apply CBD cream, the CBD soaks into the skin but does not make it to the bloodstream. It interacts with CB1 receptors — if THC is also present — and other receptor families such as the TRPV receptors and factors such as PPAR-gamma and COX-½ and TNF-alpha. With these interactions, CBD can modulate the pain and inflammatory response.”
How to use CBD cream
Generally speaking, using CBD-infused creams and other topicals is extremely easy. After identifying where the pain or discomfort lies, the consumer can simply apply the topical around that area for local treatment.
The process of applying CBD topicals is similar to putting on a moisturizing lotion. However, administering the proper dosage of CBD to the skin is not as straightforward. It’s important to find out how many milligrams of CBD are in the topical to gauge whether there’s enough of this cannabinoid to provide the therapeutic relief. A topical with a low amount of CBD will likely be less effective than one with higher concentrations.
Start with a low viable dosage and gradually increase the amount of CBD cream until finding optimal therapeutic relief. When it comes to applying a topical infused with hemp-derived CBD, there are no known side effects to worry about.
Benefits of CBD cream
The key potential benefits of topicals include reducing pain and inflammation, soothing skin problems, and helping to heal wounds.
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network posted an article on its website discussing the possible benefits of CBD oil for arthritis pain sufferers. A 2017 study published in the journal “Pain” found that acute joint inflammation in arthritic rats was reduced by local CBD treatment. University of Colorado researchers A 2017 report in the “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” found that cannabis topicals appear effective in treating skin conditions including psoriasis, severe itching, and atopic and contact dermatitis.
A case report published in the January 2017 issue of “Journal of Pain and Symptom Management” showed that CBD and THC applied topically could offer effective pain and symptom management in healing malignant wounds.
“Much of the scientific evidence points to CBD’s ability to modulate pain, inflammation and the histamine response when applied topically,” Chasen said. “It has been shown to diminish redness, help with painful arthritic joints and quicken the healing process.”
Though Chasen said there are studies that support CBD’s ability to interact with the receptors and factors that are found in the skin, many more are necessary. Most of the existing research was conducted on animal models.
“We need much more research to elucidate the physiological mechanisms at play, especially in humans,” she said.
Picking a CBD cream
Chasen said when it comes to picking a specific CBD muscle and joint pain topical or cream, research is essential.
“Not all CBD products are created equal,” she said. “Therefore, make sure the product has been tested and that there is a measurable amount of CBD within the product.”
With no regulation of CBD oil and related products in place, consumers must take extra steps to make sure they are purchasing a quality product. In a November 2017 study, researchers tested 84 CBD products from 31 companies and found only 31% accurately labeled with the correct amount of CBD. One way to make sure a CBD oil’s manufacturer is reputable is by purchasing a product that includes a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab
Another way to help assure a particular CBD oil’s quality is by finding a product that was manufactured in a Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)-compliant facility, which must follow certain FDA standards to qualify.
Many experts prefer full-spectrum products because of the potential entourage effect, which is the idea that components of the cannabis plant work better together than in isolation.
“Typically products infused with a broad spectrum CBD extract are more effective than products containing isolate or distillate,” Chasen said.
How to make CBD cream
Concocting your own CBD-infused cream can offer more precise dosing and control over the CBD that is used.
For instance, if you have a 30 milliliter bottle with 1,500 milligrams of CBD, that equals 50 milligrams per milliliter. Using these dosing parameters, you can figure out how much CBD oil you should drop into the non-infused cream or topical, depending on the amount you plan to make.
Finding the most effective mixing ingredients that will properly mingle with CBD oil or CBD isolate is also important. A carrier oil, such as coconut oil, shea butter, CBD tincture, or isolate can also be mixed to create a therapeutic homemade topical.
There are several recipes that will allow you to create your topical of choice. The most common method involves taking coconut oil or shea butter and melting it at a temperature between 89 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 38 degrees Celsius) before adding your preferred dosage of CBD oil. Next, take a separate cooking pot and melt 2 ounces of beeswax, adding the CBD-infused oil once the wax base starts melting at a temperature around 144 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit (62 to 64 degrees Celsius). Continue to stir and test the consistency until the desired cream is formed.
You can also add essential oils into the mix once you find the right creamy consistency. Finally, let the mixture cool in a jar or container before applying the homemade CBD cream directly onto skin.
