Arthritis, joint pain, general soreness, and arthritis are gaining popularity. Research on CBD cream and how to use it. CBD cream can help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and improve mobility. Depression and anxiety are also treated with it. CBD cream is available from online retailers and in health stores.
Cannabis-derived cannabidiol, or CBD, is found naturally in hemp plants. It has several health benefits. Global CBD sales are expected to reach $7.71 billion in 2023. Topical CBD cream is an effective way to manage pain, but there are some cons to consider, as well as how to choose the optimal CBD cream.
Is CBD Cream Something You Should Know About?
CBD cream relieves localized pain and inflammation by applying topically to the skin. Cannabidiol, a chemical compound in the cannabis plant, is one of many compounds that are not psychoactive. Even though some CBD products contain THC, the THC content in CBD products legally must be less than 0.3%, so any cognitive effects are unlikely. CBD extract, gummies, and capsules are oral forms of CBD in addition to topical products.
Various underlying factors can cause pain, which leads people to seek additional remedies to manage it. The purported pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD cream have made it a popular treatment option for localized pain.
Instead of being taken orally, CBD cream provides localized pain relief by being applied to targeted areas of the skin. The mechanism and efficacy of CBD creams for localized pain have not been fully investigated clinically, although many people report anecdotal pain-relieving benefits from CBD cream. These health claims require further research to be substantiated.
CBD Cream Ingredients
CBD creams can also contain other ingredients besides CBD, such as moisturizing agents or fragrances. In addition to coconut oil, shea butter, and vegetable glycerin, moisturizing ingredients like these help nourish and hydrate the skin. Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils may also irritate your skin.
You must read the ingredients label before purchasing a CBD cream to ensure it does not contain ingredients you are allergic to.
An overview of CBD cream's pain-relieving properties
CBD cream's mechanism of action needs to be clarified. Inflammation and the endocannabinoid system are thought to be involved in its ability to support pain. It supports pain points in these body areas by applying CBD cream to a specific area and absorbing it through the skin.
System of Endocannabinoids
CBD affects the endocannabinoid system, a complex but important body system that involves the feeling of pain. During pain processing and location, your body uses endocannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system.
Those who suffer from chronic pain may find hemp-derived CBD to be beneficial in managing the pain. It is believed that CBD binds to your receptors when consumed or applied, which may support pain management.
Reducing Inflammation-Causing Properties
In addition to relieving pain, CBD cream may also reduce inflammation. Several studies indicate it lowers pain sensations by reducing inflammation in the skin. In a study of 20 elite athletes, CBD cream was applied twice daily for six weeks on their skin. There was a reported improvement in pain levels six weeks after injuries to the lower extremities.
Although more research is needed across a larger population, CBD cream may reduce inflammation from exercise or injuries.
Muscles are Relaxed
Anecdotal reports of the muscle-relaxing properties of CBD cream following intense physical training have been noted. Exercise can often cause delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Further quality research must be conducted in a wide population to confirm this effect.
In a 2023 randomized trial, CBD was used topically to reduce DOMS. Twenty-one participants participated in this study, and perceived muscle soreness was measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours following exercise. A topical application of CBD cream did not reduce the effects of DOMS, according to the results.
Using CBD Cream for Pain Management Has Several Benefits
It's best to relieve the pain directly in the area where you're experiencing pain. A topical CBD solution is applied directly to the area of the skin where it is desired. In comparison with taking an oral form of CBD, this may be beneficial for localized pain. However, the exact mechanism of action has yet to be scientifically validated.
However, a topical CBD cream may be more effective if you seek relief from specific discomfort areas.
Certain Types of Pain May Be Treated With CBD.
CBD cream can support a variety of pain conditions, including joint and back pain, nerve pain, arthritis pain, cramps, and general muscle soreness. Here are the scenarios in which it is effective.
The Arthritic Condition
It is very challenging to live with chronic pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Ten people with thumb basal joint arthritis were treated with topical CBD in a randomized controlled trial. As a result of treatment, patients reported improvements in the physical parameters of arthritis without experiencing any side effects.
Inflammation of the Joints
Athletes or elite competitors may experience joint pain due to arthritis, injury, or overuse of muscles.
A recent study found that CBD cream effectively reduces joint pain in elite athletes. Twenty participants reported improved pain levels and disabilities related to pain.
Pain in the Nerves
In medical terms, nerve pain is known as peripheral neuropathy. It can be physically debilitating and negatively affect quality of life. One study published in 2020 found that 29 patients with peripheral neuropathy who used Their health significantly improved after four weeks of applying CBD cream pain perception. Aside from being well tolerated, the CBD cream did not cause any adverse effects.
Anxiety
Physically debilitating nerve pain, or peripheral neuropathy, negatively impacts quality of life. In a 2020 study, the use of CBD cream for four weeks improved pain perception in 29 patients with peripheral neuropathy. No adverse effects were reported with the CBD cream.
Cramping During Menstruation
Many women suffer from dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps. CBD cream may manage menstrual cramps since it has anti-inflammatory properties. Despite this, most research on CBD and menstrual cramps has focused on oral CBD supplements, not topical creams. An open-label trial involving 33 participants was conducted in 2024, for example. Over three months, subjects took 160 mg or 320 mg of an oral CBD softgel twice daily. The severity of menstrual cramps was reported to have decreased after about one month.
A topical CBD cream may have the same effect, but research is still needed to confirm it.
Backache
An investigation of the effects of a hemp-derived CBD cream on acute and chronic back pain was conducted in two patient case reports. After surgeries, CBD cream significantly relieved symptoms and pain related to back pain in patients.
It is important to note that more high-quality and larger studies are needed before CBD cream can be recommended for the management of back pain.
Soreness Of the Muscles in General
After exercising or engaging in strenuous activity, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur.
Research is being conducted on using CBD cream to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness. However, research shows that CBD cream is limited in its ability to reduce this kind of pain. Before it can be concluded whether its overall effects on pain can be determined, more clinical trials must be conducted.
Safety Concerns and Potential Side Effects
Despite CBD cream's general tolerability, knowing its potential side effects is important. Applying it usually results in a rash or irritation on the application site.
CBD cream does not have significant systemic effects on the body unless it's used consistently for an extended period, so drug interactions with it are rare. However, there may be an interaction between topical CBD cream and other topical medications.
There may be an interaction when CBD cream is applied to the same skin area as another topical cream. These creams may contain chemicals that can increase the skin's drug permeability. Chemical penetration enhancers, also called CPEs, are used in this situation.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use CBD cream because of a lack of research.
In case you are taking other medications or have a diagnosed medical condition, speak to your doctor before applying CBD cream.
A Guide to Using CBD Cream
If you want to get the best results from CBD cream, make sure you apply it correctly. Here is a simple step-by-step process how to apply and use CBD cream:
First, clean and pat dry your body, then Don't be afraid to apply a liberal amount of cream to the affected area. Commonly affected areas may be the knees, back, shoulders, or neck.
Repeat as needed, up to 4–5 times daily, depending on the specific product recommendations and pain level.
There has yet to be clear research on the recommended dose for CBD creams, as dosages can vary depending on brand and intended use. The amount of CBD used per application typically ranges from 200 mg to 2,500 mg. The cream is usually applied by pumping several times according to the dosage.
Pain relief may take some time before CBD cream works in the body. This is why manufacturers recommend using it consistently for 5–7 days to achieve the desired results.
A Guide to Choosing the Best CBD Pain Cream
A few factors need to be taken into account.
To Ensure High Quality When Determining the Best CBD Cream For the Pain Intensity of CBD
CBD cream doesn't have a universal dose or research to identify the most effective concentration, but doses typically range from 5-20 mg per application and can be repeated daily. The best way to begin is to observe how the body responds on the lower end of the dose.
Ingredients That Relieve Pain
In addition to CBD, many CBD creams contain other compounds, such as cannabinoids and hemp terpenes, which contribute to the cream's aroma and support CBD's pain-relieving effects. Menthol, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and yerba mate extract are some other ingredients that may help relieve pain.
Tests Conducted By Third Parties
You should seek out products that have been third-party tested and labeled as such. Having been thoroughly tested, this ensures the quality of the product is maintained by a trusted third party and is held to the highest standards of safety and purity. A label also ensures that the ingredients and doses in the product match those on the packaging.
In Transparency and Purity
CBD cream labels should list the ingredients and dose of the product. Whenever possible, steer clear of products containing proprietary blends where you cannot determine the individual doses.
Seeing the lab results directly on a manufacturer's website always adds peace of mind. Last, it's also a good sign when a company outwardly displays studies about their product and ingredients on their website rather than searching for it yourself.