CBD Cream Benefits: What You Need to Know

Chances are, you’ve probably heard of cannabidiol (CBD) oil by now. Most likely, you’re familiar with CBD in the form of capsules, gummies, and tinctures. But what about topical CBD products, like lotions, creams, and salves?

As the world of CBD products continues to expand, topical CBD products have become one of the hottest ways to soothe stiff joints and muscles while enjoying the calming relief that CBD has to offer. Along with reducing pain and inducing relaxation, CBD creams and other topicals bring a unique combination of benefits to the table. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about CBD cream.

What Sets CBD Cream Apart from Other CBD Products?

CBD creams are different from other types of CBD products in one major way: they aren’t ingested through the mouth, but rather through the skin. It’s easy to forget that the skin is a powerful organ that can absorb medications and other substances quickly and effectively. Plus, topical products don’t need to pass through the digestive system, unlike capsules and other edibles. For that reason, topically-absorbed CBD can take effect very quickly.

Another benefit that CBD creams have over other types of CBD products is that you can apply cream directly to sore muscles for targeted pain relief. That’s why so many swear by CBD cream for aches and pains, and it’s a benefit that makes topicals valuable for anyone using CBD for conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Compared with certain CBD products, like edibles, topical CBD can be somewhat messy to use, but no more than any other lotion or skin care product. Like other CBD products, CBD topicals can be found in both full spectrum and isolate options, so if you’re looking to avoid THC in your CBD cream, look for a CBD isolate product. On that note, another unique benefit of topical CBD is that it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. This means that even if your CBD cream contains THC, there is no chance it’ll get you high.

Although CBD creams come in a variety of dosage options and price points, one potential downside is that you can’t easily control dosage like with some other products. While some CBD creams come with a pump, allowing for more consistent usage, others are sold in tubs or bottles. That means that unless you want to do some calculations and measure it out each time, it will be hard to know exactly how much CBD you’re putting on your skin.

How do CBD Creams Work?

In all its forms, CBD works by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. Unique to topical CBD is that it also interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in the skin. These receptors make up a large network, known as the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating processes such as sleep, mood, metabolism, the immune system, and pain. By stimulating the endocannabinoid receptors, CBD is able to offer a wide variety of benefits.

Included as part of this system are naturally-made neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. Like other neurotransmitters, it’s possible for these to be out of balance. In fact, it’s theorized that endocannabinoid imbalances are involved in many health conditions, including fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Not only does CBD stimulate the production of some endocannabinoids, but it can also affect the body’s absorption of endocannabinoids, such as anandamide. Anandamide is involved in pain perception and regulation, and CBD prevents the body from absorbing it, leading to higher levels of anandamide in the blood, and therefore lower pain levels.

Along with containing essential fatty acids and – if you’re buying full spectrum – other cannabinoids, CBD cream and other topicals often contain other ingredients that can provide additional pain-relieving and moisturizing properties, like menthol, hemp oil, turmeric, and aloe.

What Are the Uses and Benefits of CBD Cream?

Since the endocannabinoid system is involved in so many different bodily processes, it’s no wonder that CBD offers such a huge list of benefits. Among its most popular uses are pain relief, anxiety relief, improved sleep, and depression relief. It’s often used to treat different types of pain, including muscle pain and nerve pain, as well as general chronic pain.

Along with its effects on the endocannabinoid system, CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that may be able to reduce swelling and address other inflammation-related issues, including skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. It’s also an antioxidant with antibacterial and neuroprotective properties, making it particularly powerful when compared with other pain-relieving lotions. It may even be able to reduce blood pressure.

Does CBD Cream Have Any Side Effects or Risks?

Unlike traditional forms of pain relief, such as non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), CBD has mild side effects and is very safe. It’s also non-addictive, doesn’t cause a high, and has no known toxic dose. Most people experience no side effects from CBD, though it can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, drowsiness, and upset stomach.

How to Use CBD Cream

Using CBD cream is pretty straightforward: simply apply it directly to any problem areas and massage into the skin. That could be your neck, shoulders, knees, or anywhere else causing you pain. Be sure to wash your hands after use, since many CBD creams contain menthol and other ingredients you won’t want to accidentally rub into your eyes. Apply as frequently as needed; you may need to experiment a bit to figure out exactly how much CBD cream to use for effective relief.

Final Thoughts

With powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, CBD makes a great addition to creams, lotions, and other topical products. Whether your aches and pains are due to an old injury, sitting at a desk all day, or a health condition like fibromyalgia, CBD creams might just be your new best friend.

Ready to try CBD cream? Every Day Optimal is a leading supplier of CBD products, including tinctures, edibles, and our highly-reviewed CBD Pain Cream: a unique blend of 300mg pure CBD, turmeric, arnica, copaiba, and MSM, along with several other natural ingredients. Our powerful and organically-sourced CBD is not only incredibly potent, but tested by independent labs to ensure the highest quality product.

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