STELLAR
HARVEST
TOPICALS
A topical is considered to be a lotion or ointment that the consumer directly applies to the body's surface. Topicals are best used for fast-acting localized pain or inflammation relief. Typically, cannabis topicals are non-intoxicating and don't make the consumer feel "high". This allows the consumer to benefit from the therapeutic and medicinal effects of cannabis without their psyche being altered. The cannabis topicals industry had exploded, allowing the array of treatments to have expanded, now offering things such as transdermal solutions and lubricants!
WHAT ARE TOPICALS?
Topicals are cannabis-infused products the consumer applies directly to the skin to relieve some sort of pain or ailment. You can get topicals in a wide assortment of products, such as - lotions, body or face oils, soaps, patches, sprays, lubricants, bath salts, and cool or warm balms. Cannabis topicals are often made with other essential oils and organic materials as well for added relief. Topicals usually include THC, CBD, or THCA. Most topicals will not give the consumer a head high, but it always depends on the cannabinoid in the topical and where on the body it is applied.
When cannabis is used in topical form, the cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower rate than when cannabis is smoked or eaten in edible form, so the effects of topicals are typically felt only where they're used, and most topicals are created without THC, which is the cannabinoid that causes intoxication.
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HOW TOPICALS WORK
Your body has a natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates your appetite, mood, pain, and pleasure receptors, among other functions. The cannabinoids THC and CBD found in cannabis, are chemicals that activate your endocannabinoid system! Your body also makes its very own natural versions of both these compounds, and they are called endocannabinoids.
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Cannabinoids in cannabis and endocannabinoids that we naturally produce, are also similar in that they both bind to cannabinoid receptors in our bodies called, "CB1" and "CB2" receptors. These receptors along with the molecules that bind to them, are responsible for an array of biological functions. For example, they are responsible for things like anti-inflammation and pain relief. When a cannabis topical is used, the THC can bind directly to CB1 receptors present in skin, muscle tissues, and nerves, and can then bring pain relief to the area applied. Eventually, it also makes its way into the bloodstream, where it can bind to CB2 receptors. This means that yes, it can get distributed into the rest of the body, but this happens so slowly that most users of cannabis-infused topicals don't notice any psychoactive effects.
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You may be wondering - can topicals get you high at all? Well, based on anecdotal reports, if the topical being used is CBD- or THCA-based, there should be no psychoactive effects on the mind. According to some, THC-based cannabis topicals may cause euphoric effects that are typically associated with THC, but the effects are reported to be typically mild.
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Since there is typically little to no high, topicals can be a great choice for people who want to experience the medicinal benefits of CBD, THC, and THCA, without experiencing the psychoactive effects.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Pain & Inflammation
Topicals can be used to treat neuropathic pain, chronic pain, and breakthrough pain. Some studies have even shown that cannabis is better for treating chronic pain than opioids are. Cannabis is a great anti-inflammatory, and since arthritis pain is usually caused by joint inflammation, treating the the problem at the source relieves pain. This is why CBD oil or topicals are often used to reduce pain and symptoms for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS).
Skin Conditons
Researchers at the University of Colorado actually found that cannabis-infused topicals can effectively treat a variety of skin diseases including psoriasis, severe itching, and atopic and contact dermatitis. With eczema, topicals can treat the itching and inflammation. Cannabinoids also have an antimicrobial characteristics that may even help manage Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are a complication and a huge factor behind eczema. When looking for a product be sure it is for inflammation, pain, and skin irritation relief, not joint/muscle pain and inflammation. CBD has also been shown to hinder lipid production in skin cells, therefore regulating how much oil your skin produces! This can help with acne. Topical cannabinoids have also shown antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin against damage and may be the newest product for younger-looking skin!
Dystonia, Dyskinesia's, and Tics
A 2015 study did come back somewhat inconclusive, but did it show promise for cannabis topicals in the treatment of dyskinesia's, tics, and possibly dystonia since movement disorders are worse in patients who are anxious. Cannabis may be able to help since their are strains known to be calming and treat anxiety.
Wounds
Headaches
Right now, there are even some preliminary studies that are showing that cannabis cream and other topicals could be effective for migraine relief. Since cannabis-infused topicals can be rubbed directly into your temples, it would work just the same as if the consumer was applying it to a joint, absorbing directly into the skin and muscle and providing anti-inflammatory relief as well as pain relief.
In 2016, their was research done that showed topically applied THC and CBD cannabinoids could provide powerful pain relief and symptom management for healing malignant wounds. Since cannabinoids have already shown to possess anti-bacterial properties, it may also help address antibiotic resistance.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The effects of each topical can be different. Remember, some topicals can be felt almost immediately, while others can take hours to show any effects. Also, remember that while most topicals will not get you high, some will if they are being directly absorbed into the bloodstream. Also CBD and THCA have been shown to not give the consumer psychoactive effects, while THC-infused creams have occasionally caused the user to experience some mild intoxicating effects. Lastly, while a topical cream should not cause the user to fail a drug test, their is no absolute guarantee, so proceed with caution.