How Do CBD Topicals Work?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is emerging as one exciting natural alternative for treating a wide range of conditions and ailments — and for good reason. These cannabinoids provide a number of therapeutic properties.
For example, CBD cannabinoids can be:
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-spasmodic
And, they can enhance:
- Cellular regeneration
- Circulation
Now, you can wrap these special properties up in a topical, and apply it to localized areas of your skin for relief.
Science has proven cannabis is an efficient pain killer. A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reinforces this fact. But, there's a huge difference between taking cannabis or its individual cannabinoids orally, and taking it topically to allow it to absorb through your skin.
How CBD Topicals Work
Cannabis-infused oils, salves, sprays, lotions, and other transdermal methods work by binding to your network of CB2 receptors. You'll find these CB2 receptors throughout your body. They're activated by either cannabis compounds referred to as "phytocannabinoids" (i.e. CBD, THC) or your body's naturally-occurring endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids are your body's natural signals that help maintain homeostasis through the detection and regulation of:
- Pain
- Hunger
- Memory
- Mood
CBD helps mitigate the levels of your natural pain-relieving endocannabinoids. It blocks metabolism as the endocannabinoids move around your body.
Regardless of whether you're using a topical with CBD or THC, you still won't experience the intense "high" you would if you were to ingest or smoke cannabis. Cannabinoids can't breach your bloodstream with most topicals; they are only able to penetrate to your network of CB2 receptors. However, transdermal patches do deliver cannabinoids to your bloodstream, and therefore can cause psychoactive effects (but only with THC, not CBD).
If you're using a product that only contains CBD and not THC, you won't experience any significant effects in your brain. Because of this, CBD is often referred to as "non-psychoactive." But, this is a clear oversimplification, since it does have some effect on your central nervous system.
Research recently suggests many effects of CBD might occur outside your CB receptors. In fact, it might have effects on several of your serotonin receptors (known to play a role in anxiety and depression), according to a review published in Molecules. It also can affect your vanilloid receptor 1 or TRPV-1 receptors (more commonly linked with the sensation of spiciness and taste), and your adenosine receptors (a neurological target for caffeine), according to the same review.
Examples of How CBD Topicals Work
Let's take arthritis as an example.
CBD Topical Oil Alleviates Arthritis Pain
One of the main benefits of CBD topical oil when suffering with arthritis is its positive impact on pain. The journal Pain published a study in December 2017 that evaluated if CBD could prevent joint neuropathy and osteoarthritis pain. The findings showed researchers that CBD did both, because it served as a nerve protectant, and reduced joint inflammation.
According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), around 300,000 children and 54 million adults in the U.S. have received an arthritis diagnosis or some other rheumatic disease that causes joint pain.
The most debilitating and precarious symptoms arthritis patients suffer with include:
- Stiffness
- Pain
- Reduced movement within the joints
These all can become severe or worse over time. There are also other symptoms just as bothersome, such as depression and anxiety. Not just this, but it can become particularly challenging when you're also dealing with another medical problem that tends to coexist with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.
Some treatment programs and medications can possibly help alleviate these adverse effects, but if you're looking for a more natural option for pain relief, CBD topical oil could be your answer. Here's how:
CBD Topical Oil for Depression
Other studies showed CBD reduced depression symptoms. This is very important since, according to the Arthritis Foundation, depression rates of individuals diagnosed with specific types of arthritis could be between two- and 10-times greater than the general population rates.
Other examples of how CBD topicals work are:
CBD for Multiple Sclerosis
A report found using CBD topical oil short-term could decrease the spasticity levels you feel. The report showed modest results, but many individuals reported a decrease in symptoms.
CBD for Chronic Pain
The same report also evaluated CBD for general chronic pain use. Researchers gathered up the results of a handful of systematic reviews that covered dozens of studies and trials. According to their research, there is significant evidence cannabis effectively treats chronic pain in adults.
CBD for Anxiety and Sleep Problems
A couple other reasons you may want to consider CBD topicals are to manage sleep issues and anxiety — both which can contribute to pain. If you're suffering with these types of problems along with your pain, any reduction in pain you experience can be an indirect impact of it helping you manage sleep or anxiety.
So, there you have it — in some manner or form, CBD topicals work effectively to treat various ailments. Whether or not you want to give it a try is your own personal preference. But, looking at the results of these various studies and research, you can't deny there is great potential CBD topicals will work for you and your symptoms.
Grab Your CBD-Infused Pillow For Better Sleep
The promise of an all-natural and effective sleep aid is very appealing for light sleepers, insomniacs, and anyone having problems falling to sleep. And, this isn't a small number of individuals, either. So, if you're wondering how you can obtain more satisfying sleep, look no further than a pillow infused with CBD. CBD-infused pillows are soft, clean, and comfortable.
CBD helps to reduce anxiety and stress, both of which contribute to sleep difficulties. Sleep plays a restorative role in your life. It greatly influences your overall health, from boosting your immune system and impacting brain health to even preventing heart problems. These CBD-infused pillows could help improve insomnia, and overall sleep amounts.
It's no secret individuals of all ages are increasingly becoming more interested in products promoting health and wellness. They're looking for more holistic products. Now you can promote your own health and wellness, and get the quality sleep you deserve with our CBD-infused pillows.