Everything you need to know about CBD muscle balm

No matter your level of fitness, you’ve probably felt soreness or pain at some point. If you find yourself sitting or standing for long periods of time, or if you’ve been lifting heavy objects lately, chances are your muscles are feeling a bit stiff. CBD balms may be able to help soothe that pain.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of CBD balms and how they might help you and your body.

What are CBD balms?

CBD muscle balm, or CBD muscle rub, is a topical oil or cream that uses essential oils to help soothe sore muscles. The most common fragrant ingredients used in CBD balms are peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, and other similar oils.

CBD balms are topicals, which means they’re meant to be applied directly to the skin. CBD products can’t have more than 0.3% THC according to federal law, so you won’t get that “high” feeling when using them. Those who want to avoid THC or live in states where cannabis is illegal love CBD balm because it’s a great alternative.

Does CBD balm work?

CBD has been known to be soothing and relaxing for many consumers, but the exact experience you get from a CBD muscle rub will depend on several factors. The amount of CBD in the balm, other ingredients like essential oils, dosage size, and person-to-person variations all affect how long CBD lasts.

The amount of CBD in your topical balm determines the efficacy of pain relief. Some people may require higher doses of CBD to feel any relief. Always check the label for a list of ingredients and how much CBD is in the product. Buy from a dependable source that checks their items in third-party labs to up your chances of receiving a product that does what it’s supposed to.

What the research says

CBD balm not only works great for easing sore, stiff muscles, but it also shows potential in targeting other conditions when applied topically.

Muscle fatigue: A study published in the 2017 journal Pain found that local CBD treatment helped with muscle fatigue in arthritic rats.

Skin conditions: A 2019 study published in La Clinica Terapeutica found that CBD is a safe, effective treatment for patients suffering from chronic skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis along with resulting scars.

Wound care: A case report from 2017 says that CBD and THC offer pain management for malignant wounds when applied topically.

Although it’s uncertain if topicals with CBD are actually helpful, people who’ve tried them seem to think so. Out of 2,600 surveyed arthritis patients by the Arthritis Foundation, 79% have thought about or currently use CBD as a pain reliever instead of other topical balms or prescription drugs like NSAIDs.

How does CBD muscle balm work?

CBD products that are applied topically only work on the immediate area, which may help alleviate pain in specific joints or muscles. CBD is absorbed through the skin but does not enter circulation throughout the body. The balm functions similarly to other over-the-counter topical creams that provide temporary pain relief.

CBD muscle balm is effective because it interacts with the high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in the skin. The endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis across many bodily functions including pain management, consists of these receptors.

CBD topicals are most commonly used by rubbing the product into the skin near where pain is felt. A carrier molecule allows CBD to penetrate through the skin and interact with muscles and other tissues in order to provide relief. In addition to using natural ingredients, some balms also include essential oil for a cooling sensation. This can help with inflammation and pain relief.

How to use CBD balms

More generally, using CBD-infused topicals is quite easy–simply apply the balm to any painful areas that might benefit from local treatment. As with all lotions and creams, however, CBD cream shouldn’t be used on open wounds or broken skin.

Applying CBD topicals is just like using lotion, but ensuring the right amount of CBD gets to your skin is more difficult. The concentration of CBD in a topical product is important to determine if it has the potential to provide relief for patients. A small amount of CBD will be less effective than one with higher concentrations.

After you locate a balm with the correct CBD concentration for you, start low and increase gradually. Remember that everyone’s chemistry is different, as well as the quality of ingredients in each product will contribute to your experience using it.