CBD is proving to be an amazing product that helps with everything from anxiety to pain related arthritis and inflammation. With more and more people turning to alternative forms of medicine for treating their varying medical issues, questions may rise regarding the effectiveness of some products. One solution countless people are turning to is, topical CBD. We are here to give you a little more insight as to what topical CBD actually is and how it works.
First things first, CBD comes from the hemp plant (you can read more about this here). Hemp is one of the oldest crops our society cultivated and has been used to medicate and treat illnesses for centuries. Whereas pharmaceutical companies create products that mask pain, topical CBD works with the body’s own chemistry and natural functions to alleviate pain, inflammation, anxiety, etc.
The human body has endocannabinoid receptors throughout. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in various bodily functions: it helps to regulate things like the immune system, the release of hormones, memory, and metabolism. The receptors in the endocannabinoid system are so closely related to those of the cannabinoid system that CBD will interact with them without a hitch. As of now, researchers have identified two major types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 is found primary in the central nervous system, to include the brain and spinal cord. CB2 is mainly found in the tissues of the immune system. However, interestingly enough, both CB1 and CB2 have been found in the skin.
CBD can come in a plethora of forms such as, oils, creams, ointments, patches, lotions, balms, and salves. These products make it so that CBD is readily absorbed into the skin and can react with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in order to combat pain. While the science on this is still relatively new, we know that once applied, topical CBD can take anywhere from one to forty-eight hours to provide relief depending on dose, frequency of use, and severity of condition. Most people who use topical CBD find that regular application provides the most desired effects and significantly reduces discomfort.
Now that you have a better understanding of how topical CBD works, keep an eye out for our next blog to get a few tips for applying it.
