You may be familiar with some of the more classic ways to consume cannabis: the iconic joint or the well-loved infused brownie, for example. Cannabis-infused topical products, such as balms, lotions, salves and creams, may not get as much attention as high tech vapes or the hot new concentrate on dispensary shelves, but, in fact, THC topicals have been used for millennia.
So, what exactly are THC topicals? How do they work? And which topicals should you invest in to make the most of them?
Keep reading to learn just how topicals are made, how they work, and what unique benefits they bring to the table when compared with other cannabis products.
What Are THC Topicals?
Topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms, creams, salves, and other products that can be applied directly to the skin.
Many people know that smoking or vaping with cannabinoids like THC and CBD or consuming them in edible form can produce a long list of possible advantages. What they don’t always realize is that applying cannabis topicals to the skin can provide its own effects and benefits. The cannabinoids in these topicals can have a positive impact on the body’s endocannabinoid system, just like other cannabis products.
Some researchers believe humans have been using topicals containing cannabinoids for centuries. Evidence suggests those in Ancient Egypt may have used them to treat inflammation as far back as 1500 BC.
These days, cannabis extracts are incorporated into many different topical products to treat everything from localized muscle pain to inflamed and scaly skin patches. You can decide which ones you should buy after hearing about how they work.
How Do Cannabis Topicals Work?
When you purchase a topical THC product and begin using it for the first time, it might not initially seem all that much different from other topical products that don’t contain any cannabinoids. Cannabis topicals have similar appearances to other lotions, balms, creams, and salves. But it won’t take long for you to start experiencing what sets these topicals apart from those without THC or CBD in them.
Topical cannabis products can be applied directly to the skin wherever needed. Just spread some over the affected area and rub it in for a few seconds to help your skin absorb it. Topicals with THC cannot enter the bloodstream. However, they can impact the cannabinoid receptors in your skin to offer potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and other benefits.
Cannabinoid receptors are crucial players in a bodily system called the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS. The ECS impacts a wide range of essential bodily functions such as sleep, memory, pain perception, appetite and more. The cannabinoids in topicals are absorbed by endocannabinoid system cell receptors that exist in the skin.
How Can Cannabis Topicals Benefit Your Skin?
Even though there is still work to be done when it comes to figuring out how cannabis topicals work while penetrating the skin, early evidence support that cannabinoids like THC may benefit the skin in many ways.
One study carried out in 2022, for example, showed that topical cannabis can provide the skin with anti-inflammatory and anti-itching effects. It also showed that topicals with cannabis extracts in them might promote quicker wound healing and even have anti-proliferative effects when applied to the skin.
The use of cannabis-infused topicals in dermatology is a very active area of research, and other potential benefits that may come along with using topical cannabinoids:
- May reduce redness
- May prevent soreness
- May minimize swelling
- May deliver moisturization and eliminate dryness
- May offer antimicrobial and antifungal properties
Topical cannabis is also being investigated for the treatment of specific skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, as well as eczema and acne vulgaris.
One of the most popular uses for THC topicals among patients at our dispensaries is for the relief of localized discomfort, like sore muscles or joints. Since cannabis topicals are quick to apply, you can stick them in your work or gym bag to ensure you have them on hand whenever pain or inflammation strikes.
Does Topical THC Get Absorbed Into the Bloodstream?
When you smoke or vape THC or ingest it in another way, it will eventually work its way into your bloodstream. This is why you feel high shortly after using products with THC in them.
You will not, however, get this same high when you apply THC topicals to your skin. Although they have THC in them, the answer to the question, “Does topical THC get absorbed into the bloodstream?” is “no.”
This should satisfy those who like the idea of using these topicals but don’t necessarily want to get “high” while using them. It should also make anyone who wants to avoid failing a drug test while using THC products happy. As this 2017 study demonstrated, using topicals with THC in them “is not able to cause positive cannabinoid finding in blood or urine.”
Transdermal THC Topicals
If you’re someone who wouldn’t mind putting THC into your bloodstream, skip topicals and try using transdermal cannabis products instead. These products, which include transdermal patches, can work their way into your bloodstream soon after you apply them to your skin.
Transdermal products penetrate all layers of the skin and work their way into your bloodstream to provide a system-wide effect, though many people report they don’t feel the effects of transdermal THC products in the same way they do when smoking flower or consuming edibles since the cannabinoids are released into the skin at a slow and steady rate.
Types of THC Topical Products
All THC topical products are not created equal. When you start shopping around for different options, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see just how many of them there are. For every lotion and cream, you’ll find a balm or salve. For every oil and serum, you’ll come across a spray or roll-on. There are countless options for those who wish to use THC topicals.
In a perfect world, you should aim to try as many of these THC topical products as you can. Just like with other cannabis products, your body might not respond the same way to each one. It’s worth experimenting with a handful of different options to see how beneficial they are when it comes to minimizing pain and/or keeping your skin healthy.
Not sure where you should start? Learn more about each of the THC topical options available to you and select the ones that appeal to you the most:
- Balms and salves: Are you on a mission to target sore muscles and joints with cannabis topicals? Then balms and salves might deliver the results you’re looking for. They have thick formulations that enable them to deliver relief to pain situated deep in your muscles and joints.
- Creams and lotions: Compared to balms and salves, creams and lotions are much lighter and easier to spread out over larger swaths of skin. This makes them the right choice for anyone who plans to use topicals containing cannabinoids for more general skincare efforts. People tend to use these creams and lotions to attack dry skin and leave it feeling more moisturized than ever before.
- Oils and serums: As liquids, which makes it much easier for your skin to absorb them without you having to spend a ton of time rubbing them in. Those who plan to use THC topicals for massages or even just spot treatments will appreciate how much of a positive impact these topicals can have.
- Sprays and roll-ons: Technically, all topicals with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids in them are easy to carry around and use at a moment’s notice. But THC sprays and roll-ons take convenience to the next level. They can offer on-the-go pain relief for those suffering from minor aches and pains. They can also alleviate the irritation that dry skin can cause.
Shop Topical Cannabis at Green Goods Today
Long before we knew about the endocannabinoid system or cannabinoid receptors in the skin, humans has been using cannabis-infused topicals for a variety of reasons, and as scientific research continues on, we’re starting to uncover many potential uses for cannabis topicals in supporting the relief of everyday aches and pains and general skin health.
If you’re considering putting THC topicals to the test to see how effective they are for you, visit your local Green Goods for an unbeatable selection of THC topicals, including this Move by Curio™ 1:1 Topical Balm and this Dr. Westwater Unscented Red Balm.
Want to learn more about cannabis and it’s many uses?. Discover how to roll a perfect joint after picking up cannabis flower from one of our locations, or try your hand at making your own cannabis brownies at home once you’ve found your ideal edible dosage.
