As you get older, your body may not work as well as it used to. Everyday activities leave you feeling sore and pain is more likely to become part of your daily life. According to the CDC, over 20% of American adults experience chronic pain and, for more than 36% of those who reported chronic pain, it has a high impact on their daily life. Let’s find out the best CBD cream for pain available on the market in 2023.
Mild or occasional pain can generally be managed with over-the-counter pain-relievers or anti-inflammatories, but if you suffer from pain on a daily basis you may be looking for an alternate solution. That’s where CBD products come in.
CBD Cream For Pain
Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only changed regulations on CBD to declassify it as a controlled substance in 2018, medically reviewed research on the benefits of CBD is still limited. That being, cannabinoids like CBD and THC have been studied for their potential anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic benefits. Evidence for this, especially in specific populations such as older subjects and cancer patients is still in the works, but shows promise. If you experience chronic pain, CBD pain cream could help. Rather than ingesting cannabidiol along with a carrier oil, you apply the product directly to the site of your pain to experience faster relief and specifically to the applied area.
In this article, we’ll explore the subject of CBD for pain relief, particularly in its topical form. You’ll also see our top 10 picks for the best CBD creams for pain.
Best for Muscle & Joint Formula
- Soothes Aches and Pains
- Attacks Pain at the Source
- Supports Healthy Range of Motion
How Does CBD Cream Work For Pain?
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant. There are several varieties of cannabis, but CBD is most highly concentrated in hemp (Cannabis sativa). Its cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is more highly concentrated in marijuana (Cannabis indica). Both of these compounds are thought to work by impacting the endocannabinoid system (ECS) present in the bodies of all mammals.
Cannabinoids bind to or modulate the ECS’ primary receptors (CB1 and CB2) and, in doing so, help modify or regulate certain bodily processes such as inflammation or the expression of pain. Though cannabidiol is typically ingested, it can also be absorbed through the skin to provide more direct relief. That is how CBD cream is thought to work to relieve pain.
Medical research supports the benefits of CBD for pain, but many studies involve treatment with ingested or inhaled cannabidiol products rather than topicals. Anecdotal evidence shows the potential of CBD topicals to relieve pain, but it is unclear how much of the benefit can be attributed to the cannabidiol and how much to other ingredients in the product.
What Is The Best CBD Cream For Pain?
When it comes to the best CBD creams, it’s largely a matter of opinion. Cannabidiol products affect everyone differently, so you may need to work with your doctor to find a CBD pain cream with the right concentration of cannabidiol to address your symptoms. People using CBD for the first time, you may want to start with a low concentration for a few weeks to see how the body reacts. If you’re not seeing the desired results, increase your dose slowly as needed.
In terms of shopping for CBD topicals, it’s important to choose a company that uses a high-quality source of cannabidiol and other ingredients from nature. Make sure the products you’re considering are tested by a third-party lab for purity and potency – see if you can find a COA online to verify. It also doesn’t hurt if the company offers a money-back guarantee just in case you’re not satisfied with the product.
Do CBD Topicals Have Side Effects?
Generally speaking, CBD is highly regarded as safe. In a medically reviewed 2018 publication, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes CBD as, “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” They also comment that adverse effects are likely the result of an interaction between CBD and medications the patient is already taking.
That being said, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the possibility for side effects. With CBD, side effects are typically mild and usually limited to drowsiness, diarrhea, and changes in weight or appetite. Keep in mind, however, that these side effects typically refer to ingested products. With a topical product like a CBD salve or cream, negative reactions may be caused by other ingredients in the product such as artificial fragrance or synthetic additives.
Final Thoughts
More research is needed to determine the benefits of topical CBD, but the analgesic properties of cannabidiol are the best supported. People who suffer from chronic pain may experience relief when using CBD cream or salve, though it may depend on the concentration of the product. Talk to your doctor about the recommended dosage for the severity of your symptoms then try out a cream for a few weeks to see how it works. You may need to increase the dose to experience the desired effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD cream work for pain? Yes. CBD cream contains natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain.
Is CBD oil or cream better for pain? Both CBD oil and cream are effective for dealing with pain. The answer to who’s better actually depends on the type of pain. CBD cream is more helpful for dealing with arthritis and muscle pains while CBD oil is ingested which makes it better for dealing with overall chronic pain that can’t be reached by applying on the skin.
Are there places in your body where you shouldn’t apply CBD cream on? Yes. CBD cream might be safe for the skin but that doesn’t mean you should put it on everywhere. The cream contains essential oils and it can be very overbearing to some parts of the skin.
We recommend you avoid putting CBD cream on your face, your privates, and other sensitive areas of your skin.
What should I look for in a CBD cream for pain? You should first look at the potency of the cream. A potent cream is more effective in reducing inflammation and it acts much faster than less potent creams as well.
Do CBD topicals have side effects? No. CBD topicals do not induce any harmful side effects. However it might incur allergic reactions since some full spectrum CBD creams do contain other natural ingredients.
Which is better? Full spectrum CBD cream or broad spectrum CBD cream? It depends on what you’ll be using them for. But a lot of professionals believe that full-spectrum CBD is more therapeutic since it takes advantage of the entourage effect.
The entourage effect being the phenomenon where the components found in the cannabis plant work more effectively if they are in the presence of other components. Full spectrum CBD products take advantage of this phenomenon and maximise its therapeutic benefits.
