Luckily for cannabinoid users, the process of CBD extraction is far more complicated than usage. The process begins with high-quality hemp and ends with a distillate that can enter the bloodstream without the need for smoke or inhalation as an interlocutor.
For medical patients, those seeking discreet usage, or users who rely on consistent dosage, having alternate forms of cannabis intake becomes a critical part of their self-medication strategy. One innovation that has allowed these users to target pain on an as-needed basis quickly has been topicals—a cannabis product that is as simple to use as it sounds.
Topicals CBD products are simply skincare products (like lotions or balms) that can be rubbed into the skin for cannabinoid uptake. Depending on the terpene concentrations and overall potency, the effect may be amplified or diminished. This gives the consumer a greater level of choice and flexibility in understanding and anticipating the effect.
For instance, a CBD distillate with a high level of pain-relieving terpenes might offer a different kind of effect than one with anti-inflammatory or anxiety-reducing effects.
Today’s blog will examine how these products work and how topical cannabinoids might fit into your next wellness routine.
How Do Cannabinoid Topicals Work?
Topical cannabinoids work the same way other cannabinoids do—reaching and stimulating the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies, known collectively as the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a complicated physiological system that connects the brain to the body and is made up of receptors (CB1 and CB2) present all over the body. When cannabinoids from cannabis are breathed in, swallowed, or in this case, applied to the skin, they bind to these receptors, causing a range of effects depending on which cannabinoids are absorbed.
Both types of receptors can be found in epidermal cells and sensory neurons of the skin. Cannabinoids bind to receptors in these cells when a cannabis topical is given, generating localized effects such as pain alleviation and anti-inflammatory reactions. The specific impact of a topical, including the cannabis concentration, is, of course, determined by the contents—CBD is more of a body high, while THC stimulates the mind.
By mixing soluble cannabinoid distillates with skin-safe formulations, you can experience skin-saving benefits while also introducing reliable doses of cannabinoids directly to affected areas.
When Can A Cannabinoid Topical Be Used?
Topical cannabinoids excel whenever the pain is localized to a specific region. Since CB receptors are located in the epidermis, the uptake is rapid, reliable, and easy to control in the affected area. If more relief is needed, topicals can be reapplied as needed.
Compared to the inhalation method, topicals can be more reliable. Localized application is more acute in scope than taking it in orally and allowing the effects to disperse over the entirety of the body.
To fully understand the effects of the cannabinoids you will be taking, it is critical to choose CBD distillates that are comprehensive in their processing and transparent in their potency. If you decide to apply a blended THC/CBD distillate, you will experience different effects than if you were to use a distillation comprised of solely CBD.
Full-distillate CBD offers additional benefits in terms of terpene concentration and makeup. By choosing a full-distillation CBD isolate, you are ensuring the integrity of the complex cannabinoid makeup, along with all of the benefits that terpenes provide.
Visit our retail store online to explore our lineup of topicals, tinctures, and balms.
Abundant Labs is dedicated to elevating and preserving great hemp through thoughtful distillation and world-class chemical engineering. Visit us online to learn more about our process, or contact us directly with any questions about our lineup of distilled cannabis products.