Why Topical CBD Creams and Ointments May Be the Pain Relief You Need

CBD has been rising in popularity lately, and against the backdrop of the opioid crisis, it seems like a valuable and less dangerous alternative to traditional pain relief. In this article, explore the diverse uses and benefits of topically applied CBD. 

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What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabinoid. It’s a natural substance found in marijuana and hemp plants, but unlike THC, does not cause a “high”. CBD oil is used for many different chronic issues that include inflammation and pain, and has promising results for depression, anxiety, and migraine. There is even an FDA-approved drug called, cannabidiol, that can be prescribed for two types of epilepsy.

How Do CBD Products Work for Pain Relief?

When inflammation or pain is localized to one area, such as arthritis, CBD can be extremely helpful, because it engages with the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors. Topical creams and ointments that contain CBD access the cannabinoid receptors in the skin, but do not have enough bioavailability to reach the bloodstream. 

Bioavailability refers to the ability the body has to absorb into the bloodstream, after metabolization or breakdown. Oral CBD oils access the cannabinoid receptors through the mucous membranes in the mouth, while pills must be metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. Therefore, between oral oils, pills, or topical creams, CBD oils have the highest level of bioavailability. Your personal needs will dictate what is best for your situation, but regardless of what type you decide to use, it’s important to notify your doctor when adding a CBD product, because it could interact with other medications.

How CBD Compares to Lidocaine

People frequently ask the pros of cons of CBD vs. lidocaine but, good news, you can use both at the same time on the same sore areas. In fact, some products combine the two pain-relieving ingredients, which we'll explore below. 

So how does CBD and lidocaine differ to supplement one another? 

Lidocaine is a numbing agent used as a local anesthetic that disrupts the pain signals between nerves. It won’t treat the reason the pain is being felt, but fused with CBD, will effectively provide temporary pain relief. More importantly, when looking at lidocaine vs. CBD, the effects of lidocaine can be felt almost-immediately. 

Lidocaine's speed buys CBD time to interact with the body to further de-sensitize it to pain and deliver anti-inflammatory properties. In turn, it can potentially address the source of the pain itself rather than merely delay the inevitable return of the discomfort. 

Neither CBD nor lidocaine are magic wands that make severe pain disappear, entirely. However, if questioning whether to reach for lidocaine vs. CBD, the answer is both for a potent combination.

How Do You Choose Whether to Use Oral or Topical CBD for Pain Relief? 

Again, it depends upon your needs. For instance, if you are interested in how CBD can be helpful for migraine, or anxiety, an oral may be the best choice because of its high bioavailability, and the fact that it bypasses being metabolized by the liver. Orals come in a few distinct categories, including oils and elixirs. Oils are usually combined with another carrier oil, such as coconut or hemp seed oil, which helps with absorption, and can be included in food and drink. 

What about pills or gummies?

These are both also considered orals, however they work a little differently than oils and tinctures. Because they both have to be consumed, their bioavailability is diminished when going through digestion and metabolization by the liver. A gummy is an example of an edible that is infused with CBD. These are eaten like regular food, so are more pleasantly flavored and textured. Pills are swallowed normally, but may take longer to feel the effects, however you don’t have to worry about taste. CBD infused pills are probably the best choice if you are looking for an overall systemic balance, as well as an easily administered product.

And CBD topicals for pain relief?

If you are looking for a common pain or inflammation solution, then a topically applied CBD cream or ointment is what you want. Some of these issues include arthritis, and other joint or muscular swelling and soreness. Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis could see relief from a topical CBD product, as well. Topical CBD creams and ointments are quite flexible in their applications for a variety of reasons.

When speaking of pain and inflammation, CBD topicals may be combined with other relief ingredients like menthol or lidocaine. These are both products contained in other over the counter analgesic and anti-inflammatory products. 

Menthol is a counterirritant, which diverts attention from the pain being felt. It works best as a short-term solution to muscular and joint aches. A number of muscle rubs include menthol in their ingredients. 

And lidocaine? Well, we already covered this powerful anti-pain ingredient. It's most powerful selling point is its speed, as it works quickly to numb the area as CBD takes it time to "kick in." 

Top Topical CBD Creams & Pain Relief Products to Buy

When combined with skincare ingredients that promote moisturization, like coconut oil, cocoa or shea butter, a CBD cream is useful to nurture healthy skin, and help with dryness. Because topicals aren’t invasive, do not enter the bloodstream, and are easy to apply, a cream or ointment is an uncomplicated way to start using CBD products, with low risk.

Whatever your needs are regarding pain relief, Botanika Life has a CBD cream or ointment for you. Below are popular CBD topicals: 

The Ultra-Relief Muscle Pain Rub With CBD is an excellent addition to athletic recovery, and helps with lower back and nerve pain, as well. This topical cream combines CBD with lidocaine, menthol, andarnica for immediate coolness and lasting pain relief. Apply the ointment  and give yourself a mini-massage for relief through the night, or just after intense cardio.

The Super Soothing Serum With CBD is a plant-based full spectrum topical CBD cream that includes lidocaine. It works as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic for joint pain, and sore muscles. Pump the pain-relieving serum into your hands and rub it into the troubled area, whether it be your neck and shoulders or a tight leg muscle. 

The CBD Pain Relief Roller provides immediate relief from aches and soreness when rolled on. Like all Botanika Life products, it utilizes natural, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients. The inclusion of menthol, lidocaine, and arnica makes it a powerhouse of pain-relieving agents that’s portable and easy to use. It also comes in a mini version, for even greater portability and convenience.

Regardless of the topical CBD product you choose for your pain relief, you’re guaranteed unsurpassed quality from Botanika Life. We use USA-grown hemp and other natural ingredients free from pesticides and harsh processing. In fact, we verify all clean formulations using third-party laboratories. View the results for yourself at this link or on the individual item pages. Plus, many of our topical CBD pain relief products comes with a QR code on the back which, upon scanning, enables you to view the related lab results. 

FAQ About Topical CBD Creams for Pain Relief

You may still have questions about using topical CBD, and it’s always best to consult your doctor with these, but here are some answers to common concerns many people bring up.

Does oral CBD help with physical pain in the same ways as topical creams? 

CBD elixirs and other digestible forms can soothe the body on the whole. However, they won’t be as effective at targeting concentrated sources of bodily pain as topically applied CBD creams.

Can there be interactions with other medications?

The easy answer, yes. Every product raises a risk of interaction with something else you are already using, be it a prescription medication, another over the counter medication, cream, or skin care or cosmetic product. However, just being aware of all the ingredients in the CBD topical you are interested in using is a big step in mitigating any interactions. And, as said before, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know whether you are thinking of, or going to start using a CBD topical cream.

What about the safety of using CBD topical creams while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The FDA advises against using CBD products, regardless of whether they’re applied topically or digested. 

Is using too much of a CBD topical cream possible?

No. There’s no way to overdose on a topical CBD pain relief product, however using an overabundance will not necessarily make your ache and inflammation go away faster, or for a longer period of time. Use the cream or ointment as it is instructed. You may be interested in finding several other products that include CBD to use, in addition to your pain relief agent. For example, our variety pack of Natural Bath Soaks with CBD includes four different types of bath bombs all enriched with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients.  

Is it okay to mix CBD with other pain solutions, like ibuprofen? 

Chances are, you'd be fine to use ibuprofen like Advil and Motrin while using CBD. However, because they deliver similar effects, it'd be safer to use them one-at-time rather than together, even though there have been no known cases of severe adverse reactions between the two.