TL;DR:
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid known for its practical benefits, including pain relief. Topical CBD products like creams and oils allow users to target specific areas for relief, typically taking effect within 10–15 minutes and lasting for several hours. With minimal side effects and wide availability, topical CBD is a convenient and effective option for many pain sufferers.
- CBD is non-intoxicating and often used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and support better sleep.
- Topical CBD creams and oils are applied directly to areas of discomfort for localized relief.
- Effects usually start within 10–15 minutes and can last several hours, though this varies by user.
- Legal in most states, especially when derived from hemp; always check local laws before purchasing.
- Choose trusted retailers that offer third-party lab testing to ensure quality, potency, and safety.
CBD stands out compared to many other cannabinoids because of its distinct effects.
CBD and a few other cannabinoids, like CBN, don’t have psychoactive effects. In other words, they don’t cause the changes in mood and perception that lead to a high. Instead, these cannabinoids have practical benefits, including pain relief.
So, what is CBD, and how can you use topical CBD for pain? Keep reading to learn more about topical CBD and pain relief.
CBD and Its Role in Pain Relief
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical, specifically a cannabinoid, found in cannabis and hemp plants. It interacts with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system to produce certain effects.
Unlike most other cannabinoids, using CBD doesn’t lead to effects like an elevated mood or an increased tendency for laughter. It doesn’t cause noticeable changes in thought or emotions.
CBD’s effects are more functional – they help users address certain issues related to health and well-being. Many of these benefits are still being researched, and conclusive proof is needed to make absolute statements about them.
Additionally, CBD tends to have mild, if any, side effects for most users. Negative reactions, like a CBD allergy, and unwanted side effects aren’t unheard of, but they are quite rare.
However, user reports and research completed thus far have shown promising and positive results. While we can’t (and don’t want to) say that CBD creams work for muscle pain for every person, for example, we can say that many users find relief when they use these products.
Healthline points out some specific benefits of using CBD. These effects of CBD include, but are not limited to:
- Pain management.
- Anti-inflammatory effects.
- Helping to address symptoms of certain mental health issues.
- Supporting better sleep.
With benefits like those, it’s not hard to understand why so many people purchase CBD products and use them to support their health.
One key advantage of CBD is that it’s available in many products and formulations. CBD occurs naturally in cannabis and is sometimes added to products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids as well. For users who want the effects of both psychoactive cannabinoids and CBD, these options make a lot of sense.
As far as CBD-only products go, users often choose offerings like edibles, oils and tinctures, and topical creams. Edibles, oils, and tinctures can all be consumed for general effects that spread through the body.
When targeted relief is the goal, oil and topical creams are the best choices. Topical CBD for pain, including products like CBD creams for arthritis and CBD topical cream for pain in muscles, delivers its effects to a specific part of the body.
Legality of CBD
On a practical level, CBD is legal in some form in all 50 of the United States. Wisevoter explains that CBD is at least conditionally legal, meaning it may have certain restrictions on purchasing but is not completely outlawed, across the country.
The exact laws related to CBD differ from one state to the next, however. The source of CBD is often the issue.
In about half of all states, cannabis and CBD derived from it are legal for medical and recreational use. In many states where cannabis isn’t legal, and some where it is, CBD derived from hemp is legal as well.
So, CBD is generally available for purchase, in one form or another, in most but not all states.
Expert Tips: Using Topical CBD for Pain Relief
If you want to use a CBD oil or CBD cream for pain relief, the good news is that it’s not a particularly complex process. You don’t have to worry about charging a vape pen or having a lighter or rolling paper on hand. All you have to do is apply the oil or cream to the area where you want to feel relief.
Of course, it always helps to follow the product’s instructions related to dosage, timing, and other factors. This is especially true if you haven’t used topical CBD for pain relief before, or don’t have experience with a specific product and are using it for the first time.
However, it’s not very difficult to read the instructions that come with CBD products to determine when and how often to use them, as well as how much to use. As you get more familiar with your chosen products, it will start to feel like second nature to use them.
Dosing Topical CBD for Pain Relief: Duration of Effects and More
The duration of effects is especially important for users, as it helps them plan when and how often to use topical CBD. We offer a guide to how long CBD lasts in terms of vaping, smoking, and edibles, but what about topical creams and oils?
The general guidance for CBD topical pain relief is that creams and oils last for several hours. This can change from one user to the next, but at least a few hours is a conservative and useful estimate for nearly everyone.
As far as how long it takes for their effects to kick in, most users don’t have to wait too long to start feeling pain relief. Creams and oils are absorbed through the skin and normally start to work in about 10-15 minutes.
That’s not a guarantee, however. In some cases, users might have a longer wait – an hour or more – before they start to feel the results. If you find that it takes a while for CBD creams and oils to start working, you can consider faster-acting options. These include using a CBD oil or tincture under the tongue, as well as using a CBD vape.
CBD You Can Count on From Delta 8 Resellers
At Delta 8 Resellers, we only partner with top hemp-derived CBD brands to make sure you get the best topical CBD for pain on the market. And, we share the results of independent lab testing for all of our products whenever available, so you can check out the quality for yourself.
