A beginner’s guide to cannabis topics

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

The topical cannabis products market is one of the fastest growing segments of the industry. It appeals to many different types of consumers from different demographics as the range of products available – from skin oils to lotions, balms and healing creams – appeal to consumers interested in pain relief and other anti-inflammatory benefits.

Whether for skin care or to alleviate physical ailments, cannabis-infused topical products have clearly become a huge market and continue to grow.

Photo by Aleksandr_Kravtsov/Getty Images

The global topical cannabis market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37.2% through 2024, growing slightly faster than the traditional industry. An increasingly aging population is part of what’s driving this growth, as well as more people needing natural therapies to protect against ailments, muscle pain and skin diseases.

Nonetheless, here is a beginner’s guide to topical cannabis products.

What are cannabis issues?

Ointments, sprays, oils, lotions, creams, transdermal patches, balms… these are the most common cannabis topicals.

They are essentially skin care and wellness products that are applied to the skin to serve many different purposes, from cosmetics to first aid to muscle recovery and skin care. Some of the conditions they are manufactured to treat include general skin health, psoriasis, eczema, acne, nerve pain, anti-aging, muscle pain, itching, migraines, burns, dry skin and more. Lubricating oils can also be used to increase sexual pleasure and reduce pain caused by sex.

These are made by infusing cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or a combination of both. These special phytochemicals in the cannabis plant have therapeutic benefits, as well as smaller and larger cannabinoid compounds that react with receptors located on the skin’s surface.

RELATED: CBD Topics: What Are They, and Do They Really Live Up to the Hype?

They are applied topically, that is, to the skin, to provide local relief to the affected area. When used, research shows that they work well to treat inflammation on the skin or beneath its surface.

What Are the Types of Cannabis Themes?

If you look around for topical cannabis products, you might find that there are different categories available, including full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolates. Full-spectrum topicals mean they’re formulated with a full variety of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids, while broad-spectrum topicals have a similar mix of terpenes and cannabinoids, although THC has been removed.

Meanwhile, CBD isolates contain nothing more than pure CBD.

Photo by BATCH from Wisconsin Hemp Scientific via Unsplash

The best way to know what a topical cannabis contains is to read its label so you can understand its ingredients. Aside from the cannabinoid compounds, these products also contain a number of ingredients that are good for the skin. Some topical manufacturers include a lab report, available either on their label or on their website, allowing consumers to learn more specifically about their cannabinoid and terpene profile.

Are you getting high from topical cannabis products?

no In fact, many people use topical cannabis preparations precisely because they don’t get you high. That plus the benefit of there being localized pain relief. For example, if you have a muscle strain in your calf that is causing you a lot of pain, you may choose to smoke marijuana to get you high while you treat the pain. There is also the option of consuming a CBD product, which may or may not contain traces of THC, for general pain relief. However, topicals are applied directly to the calf for faster pain relief.

RELATED: How to Pick Cannabis Topics That Actually Work

Another example is psoriasis. While smoking cannabis can provide some relief from psoriasis symptoms over time, applying a topical product directly to it will treat the affected area faster and more effectively without getting you high.

But when it comes to transdermal patches, some of them can get you high.

How long does it take to feel the effects of cannabis themes?

When patients apply cannabis for local relief of pain and inflammation, the effects can be felt between 10 and 30 minutes. It’s almost instant. However, if you’re trying to treat skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, multiple applications over the course of days or weeks are needed to see improvement.

There is no standard answer to how long it takes to feel topicals, as this also depends on your unique biological makeup, the type of product used, and your previous experience with cannabis and/or topicals.

Will cannabis issues show up in a drug test?

no Topical cannabis products work by crossing the skin and muscle barrier, but do not enter the bloodstream. Unless you have recently used cannabis in other forms, such as from smoking, vaping, ingesting edibles, or THC oils, using cannabis topicals alone will not cause you to test positive on a drug test.

Even using topical products with higher than normal THC levels is not enough to prompt urine and blood tests to detect THC in drug tests.

Photo by MysteryShot/Getty Images

The exception to the rule are transdermal patches; The way these products were developed is similar to nicotine patches, where the compounds travel past the skin membrane and into the bloodstream. So if you’re using THC transdermal patches, there’s a chance you could test positive for THC on a drug test.

CBD or THC issues?

Now that you know that topicals come in many different forms, the final decision you may have to make is whether to consider a CBD or a THC topical.

Both of these topical cannabis products offer a range of therapeutic benefits. For those seeking pain relief, a product containing both CBD and THC as well as THCA is recommended. However, many people find CBD topicals to be best for a variety of conditions due to the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of this cannabinoid.

The best answer for you may require some experimentation with topical cannabis products. Finally, they are safe and well tolerated and you don’t have to worry about getting high except with transdermal patches.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.