With all that is still unknown about CBD, you may wonder, Are CBD topicals safe? It’s a legitimate question. One I’ll try my best to answer here.
There seems to be a lot of information out there about CBD topicals for health and beauty. There is, also, a lot of misinformation. In which case, caveat emptor comes into play. Buyer beware!
Choose CBD topicals wisely
First, let me state that CBD and hemp products are relatively new players on the therapeutic stage. But, as they gain popularity, they also are ripe for rip-offs and con artists looking to separate you from your cash. Before you buy, be informed.
What is CBD? Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a nonpsychoactive hemp or cannabis compound. It has myriad health benefits, as you may already know if you read these blogs. The popularity of this beneficial herb is exploding. But not all CBD is created equal.
You need to know what to look for before you rush out to get in on the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Although there haven’t been extensive studies about the benefits, some scientific and clinical research – much of it sponsored by the US government – shows that CBD has potential to treat conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders.
What are CBD topicals?
As the name implies, CBD topicals are applied to the skin. They come in the form of balms, lotions and salves. A CBD topical stands out as the safest method for using CBD. Rarely will a side effect occur with a topical. Allergies to the other ingredients are generally the cause if there is a side effect. So, check the other ingredients in the product to find out if you’re allergic to any of them.
CBD topicals can be safely applied to the skin and work well for pain, inflammation and hydrating dry skin. When you apply CBD to your skin, it penetrates deeply, stopping short of the blood stream. Deep in the tissue, it binds with receptors and works to alleviate pain or other skin conditions.
While it’s true that other ways of using CBD can help certain conditions, in cases where there is pain or a skin condition, topicals act the most quickly. There are many ailments for which a topical is preferred because of its fast-acting ability.
Chronic pain, joint and muscle pain from overexertion or injury, arthritis pain and nerve pain respond well to CBD because of its anti-inflammatory properties. In the case of burning from radiation in cancer treatment, a CBD burn topical has been effective in protecting the skin from the brutal burning that often accompanies the treatment.
Skin conditions such as acne, rash, eczema and psoriasis are also candidates for CBD. Speaking of skin, CBD beauty creams and lotions are a great way to hydrate and nourish your skin. Lost Remedy uses no toxic substances or chemicals in our topicals, just CBD, essential and carrier oils.
Use CBD topicals for these conditions
CBD is a known anti-inflammatory, which can help relieve pain. It also can help alleviate neuropathic pain according to this study. But there are other conditions that benefit from applying topicals to a localized area such as:
- Acne
- Nerve pain
- Contact dermatitis
- Neck and back pain
- Bacterial infections
- Eczema
- Itchy rashes
- Muscle pain
- Psoriasis
- Inflammatory skin conditions
- Joint swelling
- Joint pain (arthritis)
- Wounds and burns
CBD works for these conditions because, as I mentioned before, it bypasses digestion. But it also penetrates deep into the skin, going beyond the first layer. The skin has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) with CB-1 and CB-2 receptors that help maintain homeostasis, or balance. When an imbalance occurs, the above conditions can crop up. Applying a CBD topical is a safe way to supplement the ECS, helping to restore balance.
When are CBD topicals not safe?
The short answer is, rarely. However, if you have an underlying condition that requires you to take prescription medicine, talk to your doctor. CBD has the potential to affect how your medication works. Learn all you can about the product you want to use and the ingredients in it and discuss with your doctor how it may affect medications you are taking. Usually, a bigger concern for affecting your medications is when CBD is ingested, but it’s better to be safe.
Before you rush out to buy CBD, you need to understand what to look for in CBD products. The best products use full-spectrum hemp oil (FSHO). It contains all the cannabinoids and compounds found in the hemp plant. In addition, it contains many essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, proteins, chlorophyll, fiber, flavonoids and terpenes. FSHO contains dozens of cannabinoids. The most abundant is CBD, which makes up 90% of this full-spectrum oil. Other cannabinoids contained in hemp oil are CBD, CBG, CBN and trace levels of THC (under .2%).
Extracted FSHO also contains vitamins A, C and E, as well as B complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamine and niacin. In addition, it’s a source of vitamins not sufficiently present in many diets including beta-carotene. As stated above, this FSHO includes numerous minerals, fatty acids, proteins and a host of other components, all of which work together to enhance the healthful benefits of this unique oil.
To ensure that the CBD topical you use is safe, do your research. There is a lot to learn about CBD and you owe it to yourself to understand its benefits and how to use it.