When should you use topicals?

With marijuana legalization on the horizon, more people are discovering the health benefits offered by the plant. However, because of the psychoactive properties that are activated when inhaling... 

By Special to Lift

 

 

With marijuana legalization on the horizon, more people are discovering the health benefits offered by the plant. However, because of the psychoactive properties that are activated when inhaling or ingesting marijuana, some patients are deterred from adopting it as a treatment method. For these consumers, the key to relief may lie in topicals.

What are topicals?

Topicals are made by infusing beeswax or oil products like shea butter and coconut oil with different strains of cannabis. The end products can range from a lip balm to a massage oil depending on what part of the body the topicals are used for.

Because skin has CB1 and CB2 receptors, topicals containing THC and CBD can be applied directly to areas of pain. Unlike with edibles, bongs or joints, using topicals does not result in these chemicals entering the bloodstream, so consumers never feel the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

Topicals are also useful for patients who are concerned about the stigma that still remains around marijuana because of prohibition. They can take familiar and convenient forms like salves, balms and oils, which can be used at home or the office without drawing attention.

Furthermore, because topicals can be infused with other ingredients, patients can find dual relief from the THC and CBD found in the cannabis as well as the healing properties of menthol, peppermint or even cayenne peppers.

When to use topicals

Even though research on the effectiveness of cannabis topicals is limited, there’s some strong anecdotal evidence and a few initial studies that show how topicals can treat many conditions. In particular, they can help manage localized pain such as arthritis and menstrual cramps.

Topicals may also be an effective treatment for skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis. As in arthritis treatment, topicals help to reduce skin inflammation, while the cannabinoids can reduce allergic reactions that trigger the original inflammation.

Because topicals are localized in nature, they may serve as an alternative form of relief when more generalized treatments such as over the counter anti-inflammatory medications or prescription drugs prove ineffective. This can also be a great option for athletes who might want to use marijuana for muscle pain but don’t want the high to interfere with their training routine or to test positive for drug use.

They’re also an effective delivery method for those who may only need localized relief but are unable to consume marijuana in any other way. Patients suffering from lung conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis, or others who are unable to consume edibles because of nausea, may find that topicals are the right choice for them.

While the appeal for many users is that this consumption method can deliver effective treatment without psychoactive side effects, some patients may need to use transdermal patches as part of their treatment. They still use the skin as an entry point to apply pain relief, but patches deliver THC to the bloodstream, producing a more generalized effect similar to ingestion.

Even though topicals aren’t a recent invention, they’re finding a new place within an ever-growing number of cannabis-based products on the market. Most importantly, topicals represent a different method of consumption for those looking to take advantage of the pain- and inflammation-relieving properties of marijuana.