An Introduction to Topical CBD 

It is a common enough that most people are aware of CBD and relatively speaking what it is, but the majority of these are unaware of some of its benefits or forms. For example, few will have missed that CBD has become a worldwide success in the realm of health products, but considerably fewer will know that it could help with quitting smoking, that it can boost concentration, or that it can be used to help with sleeping problems. The reason for this, according to CBD experts Yammy CBD, is that there are just so many different and diverse benefits to the substance. Everyone knows those three letters, but not all that the substance is truly capable of. 

One form of CBD that is still making its mark is topical CBD. Think of balm, oil, and skin cream and you get the idea – topical CBD is that which can be applied somewhere on the body (i.e., “topical”) and which is absorbed through the skin. The most unique thing about topical CBD is this method of application. CBD is more commonly associated with vaping and oral ingestion (nearly all the other forms of CBD fall into these categories) and so this idea of CBD being absorbed through the skin is a real novelty to some people. 

However, if you have ever tried it in order to treat, most commonly, topical pain and inflammation, then you’ll be well aware of its potential to alleviate these. In fact, the management of acute and chronic pain is one of the most common reasons that CBD is consumed, and topical CBD lotions and rubs certainly fall under this category. But how do they actually work?  

How Topical CBD Works 

Understanding how topical CBD works is a twofold process. The first part is to understand how CBD in general works for pain relief and the second is to understand the unique function of the skin in absorbing it. 

All forms of CBD have their effects by virtue of interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This is the system in the body which maintains homeostasis for a variety of vital functions. In other words, it keeps things running at the right rhythm and this, in turn, regulates and promotes the healthy functioning of things like sleep, memory, reproduction, immune response, and pain response.

This system works through the endocannabinoids, which your body is producing all the time CBD supplements this to promote their beneficial role. The most relevant effect of this, where topical CBD is concerned, is the reduction of inflammation and pain.

Topical CBD is applied to the skin and over the area that is suffering from inflammation and/or pain. This suggests that CBD can have a stronger local effect when absorbed through the skin. This is why topical CBD exists as a rub-on cream or gel for topical pain and inflammation. The skin is composed of two main layers – the dermis and the epidermis. It is through the openings in these that the CBD is absorbed. 

However, when this happens, it does not go into the blood stream (at least not directly). Instead, it begins to interact with cannabinoid receptors (sensitive to the cannabinoids CBD contains) and applies its effects locally, instead of across the whole body. Of course, the cannabinoids do eventually make it into the blood stream, and so topical CBD oils and the like will also offer the other body-wide effects of consuming CBD in almost any other way.

Creams and lotions are not the products most closely associated with CBD, but with all the health benefits of topical CBD, it’s difficult to see why not.

Ivan Brandt