CBD topical use 101: a tutorial to navigate CBD use without FDA regulation. Although CBD continues to grow in popularity, one thing is missing: regulation. What’s a consumer to do? Let’s take a look at the situation.
In January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stated it would not regulate CBD, because “A new regulatory pathway would benefit consumers by providing safeguards and oversight to manage and minimize risks related to CBD products. Some risk management tools could include clear labels, prevention of contaminants, CBD content limits, and measures, such as minimum purchase age, to mitigate the risk of ingestion by children…”
The FDA has called upon Congress to help find a new way forward. In the interim, what are consumers to do? Caveat emptor, or buyer beware. In other words, educate yourself. First, you need to know what to look for when buying CBD topicals.
Because of the growing quantity of products, and the lack of regulation, many products are not what they claim. Some have more CBD than they claim, some have less and some don’t have any. Such inconsistency causes people who use it to believe CBD doesn’t have therapeutic benefits. CBD topical users need a guide. This blog can help you look into CBD topicals with some help to know what they are and when and why to use them.
CBD topical use 
CBD, the abbreviation for cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants. Hemp is a cannabis plant and the one we use for Lost Remedy products. You can use CBD oil from hemp as an oil, tincture or edible. Or it can be combined with carrier and essential oils to become a topical, such as a balm, salve, lotion or cream.
When you swallow the oil, tincture or edible, your liver metabolizes CBD. What’s left moves to the blood stream and travels through the digestive system. Finally it’s distributed through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) present in every body. As a result, it can take hours for you to feel the effects of CBD.
Topicals, on the other hand bypass the whole digestive process because you apply them directly to the affected area. The CBD interacts with the ECS receptors located throughout your skin getting to the heart of the matter much faster. In addition, the results can last longer when used for a localized condition such as pain, rash, wounds or nerve issues.
What CBD topicals benefit
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 helps 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 its own ECS with CB1 and CB2 receptors that help maintain homeostasis, or balance. When an imbalance occurs, the above conditions can crop up. Applying a topical augments the ECS, which helps restore balance.
When to use CBD topicals
CBD tends to calm irritation and reduce discomfort. Here are few conditions that may benefit from using topicals.
Help relieve pain and inflammation
Research has indicated that, in addition to being an anti-inflammatory, it has analgesic, antispasmodic and neuroprotective properties, which can help alleviate pain. The best part is that CBD doesn’t have the side effects often associated with over-the-counter pain medications.
Reduce symptoms of shingles
Shingles is caused by the same virus as chicken pox. CBD has been shown to inhibit virus. The blisters and rash associated with shingles are painful and there isn’t a cure. It attacks the nerve cells in your body, causing pain, itching and inflammation. In addition to reducing inflammation, a major cause of the pain from shingles, CBD can provide relief from the pain and itching.
Alleviate chronic skin conditions
CBD seems to mimic healthy skin. It engages with the receptors throughout the skin to help reduce inflammation and irritation. Skin, the largest organ in the body, has an active ECS that responds well to applied CBD, improving skin health and restoring balance. Allergic dermatitis, sunburn, skin itching, seborrhea, eczema and psoriasis respond positively to CBD, without harmful side effects.
Help clear acne
Acne is often caused by dead skin that doesn’t reach the surface of your skin, where it’s carried away by natural oils. Your immune system reacts to the trapped bacteria by creating pimples. CBD topicals can help balance oil production to reduce acne outbreaks by reducing inflammation. Its antimicrobial properties can help keep the skin free of bacteria.
Reduce the signs of aging
Diet and exercise play a part in healthy skin. Even though CBD can’t alter the effects of poor diet and lack of physical exercise, it can protect skin and repair damage from external forces such as pollution and overexposure to sun. The value of CBD in reducing the signs of aging goes beyond skin deep. It can increase turnover of skin cells, act like natural lipids and balance oil production to reduce dryness and minimize collagen loss.
In conclusion
Many researchers are studying the effects of CBD on humans and as research continues, a path to regulation may become clearer. In the meantime, don’t just buy a product because it has CBD on the label. Educate yourself and look for the real deal.