Many people use CBD oil products for their health and wellness. These products come in many forms, such as oral supplements, topicals, capsules, and more. One question that we often get asked is: can you use oral CBD oil topically? The answer to this question is quite complicated because it depends on the type of CBD oil you are using and your personal medical history. This blog post will break down what’s possible with the topical use of CBD oils.
Knowing What Topical CBD Is
It’s good to know what topical CBD is. In broad terms, a topical product has been processed so that its main ingredient—the cannabidiol (CBD)—is absorbed through the skin and into your body. The goal of this process is for you to experience certain health benefits like pain relief or better sleep. CBD topicals include balms, lotions, and oils that you can apply to certain areas of your body.
You might be wondering: how does topical CBD work? When applied directly to the skin, these products sink into the layers below, where they are absorbed by fat tissue and hair follicles for systemic distribution throughout your body. This process is different from other topical products like salves and gels absorbed by the skin’s surface. As a result of this process, you can experience systemic benefits without feeling any psychoactive effects. These products contain little to no THC (the compound in cannabis that gets people high).
How CBD Oil Topicals Work on Your Skin
Now that you know how topical CBD works, it’s important to understand its effects on your skin. The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates many things like mood, sleep, and immunity. One of the main functions of this system is maintaining homeostasis within our bodies; when something causes us pain or discomfort, we are triggered to take action.
Topical CBD products can interact with the endocannabinoid system in many ways, which makes them effective at treating skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and dryness. These products can affect our bodies by blocking pain signals sent from the nerves, reducing inflammation, and calming redness because of their anti-inflammatory effects.
This process is what makes CBD oil topicals so effective because they can penetrate deep through the skin to deliver these health benefits where you need them most. For example, if you have inflammation in your joints, applying a topical product may help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort for a better quality of life. But before trying any type of CBD product, it’s important to consult your doctor first for an accurate medical diagnosis.
Knowing What Oral CBD Is
Oral CBD has become a very popular method for people to use CBD oil products to treat their overall health. For many people, oral supplementation offers the benefits of all-natural medicine without feeling any psychoactive effects. Unlike topical applications, which are processed through your skin for systemic delivery, oral supplements are taken orally and enter your digestive system, where they break down in your stomach before being metabolized by enzymes in the liver.
Oral CBD oil supplements are taken in many different ways, including capsules, tinctures, and even processed into edibles like gummies or drinks. These products typically contain higher concentrations of the cannabinoid than their topical counterparts because they need to be strong enough for systemic delivery—up to 300 mg per dose.
Because oral CBD is so potent, it’s important to start with a small dose and work your way up gradually. This will allow you to reduce any unwanted side effects like drowsiness or lightheadedness that may occur from starting too high of a dosage.
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How Oral CBD Works in Your Body
When you consume CBD orally, it passes through your digestive system and enters the bloodstream as a dietary supplement. From here, it’s processed by enzymes in the liver, where they break down to become metabolized for systemic distribution throughout your body. Because oral supplements are taken internally instead of applied topically on the skin, their effects can differ from product to product.
For example, many people use CBD oil products to help them fall asleep and relieve anxiety without feeling any psychoactive effects. It also has a calming effect on those who suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders, including ADHD. This is because oral supplements like capsules and tinctures contain an almost undetectable amount of THC that doesn’t produce too much stimulation in the brain when it’s metabolized. However, edibles with higher concentrations of THC may produce these effects, especially if you’re new to using CBD oil products.
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Is it Possible to Use Oral CBD Oil Topically?
Can you use oral CBD oil topically? In most cases, yes. However, not all CBD oil supplements are developed equally. Because oral supplements contain higher concentrations of CBD, they’re processed differently by the body and may not be suitable for topical use on your skin. In most cases, adding a few drops to your favorite skincare product will have no negative effects because you would only consume a small amount orally. But before trying any kind of CBD product, it’s important to speak with your doctor about the best way to take oral supplements for systemic delivery.
When you consume a topical CBD oil application, it enters your skin and targets localized areas by passing through the epidermal layers. Because this method is applied topically, it can be used almost anywhere on the body to reduce pain and discomfort for people struggling with inflammation or chronic conditions like arthritis. It’s also odorless, so you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant smells from using CBD oil products orally.
But before taking any oral CBD on your skin, always consult a doctor first. This way, you can find CBD products that are safe to use topically.
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To Wrap Things Up
There are oral CBD products that are also being used topically. It is important to check on the label to ensure that it can be applied to the skin. If the product says otherwise, do not apply it to your skin. You might not get the results you want or may have adverse reactions to it.