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.
