What Is The Best CBD Cream For Pain?

There are various CBD creams, full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. To determine the best type of CBD cream, check on the lab results, extraction method, and other elements.

CBD creams are one of the best topical products manufactured with organic ingredients and assessed for potency and purity levels. Since more manufacturers keep coming into play, it might be difficult to determine who offers good quality. Therefore, you need to have tips on how to differentiate between poor and good quality. CBD products are manufactured from the organic hemp plant or cannabis sativa. Best CBD cream manufacturers monitor production levels from agricultural experts to chemists who help determine the best chemical to use that won't contaminate the environment and the end products. The following tips will help you on the best CBD cream for pain;

Type

There are three types of CBD for creams, broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and isolate. The hemp plant has multiple elements used to differentiate the types of CBD.

Full Spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD creams are the most popular with all the elements of the hemp plant. They have terpenes, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and flavonoids. Full-spectrum CBD creams are popular since they provide more than topical benefits. The presence of various chemicals makes it provide an entourage effect. The entourage effect is the ability of various elements to work together to provide more than the intended therapeutic benefits.

There are contradicting opinions regarding the effectiveness of full-spectrum CBD. The potential side effects of full-spectrum also occur in topicals since they are absorbed in the bloodstream. Fattore et al. (2011) suggested that THC  has intoxicating side effects that can make one high. Besides, the 2018 Farm Bill restricted the THC levels in all CBD products to 0.3% due to its intoxicating side effects.

On the contrary, Gallily et al. (2018) suggested that THC has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is important for a person's skin since it minimizes the development of inflammatory skin diseases. Inflammation is important for the skin to minimize wrinkles and lines. Besides, Boehnke et al. (2022) suggested that full-spectrum CBD is suitable for reducing anxiety.

Broad Spectrum

Broad-spectrum CBD creams share similarities with the full spectrum. They are the second dominant type of cream in the market. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum have various elements suitable for the entourage effect. However, broad-spectrum has all the elements of hemp except THC. It makes it a suitable alternative for evading THC-related side effects. Broad-spectrum CBD creams also offer more than skin benefits. According to De Assis et al. (2021), broad-spectrum CBD is suitable for reducing both internal and external pain. However, even without THC, it can still cause side effects like any other medication. According to Liu Tina (2019), excess CBD can cause psychoactive side effects such as anxiety and dizziness.

Isolate

Isolate is the rarest type of CBD cream. It requires the critical extraction of other elements from CBD. Isolate hemp-based creams have a single element of the hemp plant; CBD. It limits it from entourage effect like other types of CBD. However, it is suitable for the antioxidant effect of protecting the skin against UV rays and free radicals.

The Elements

CBD creams are blended with other elements, making them suitable for their functions. These elements are important since they determine the purity levels of your CBD cream. Avoid CBD creams with artificial elements since they will likely contaminate the end products. Skin products with artificial elements are sensitive and can result in skin irritation or burns. Most companies use organic elements of Vitamin A and C, arnica, and coconut oil. According to Khalil et al.(2012), coconut or MCT oil is an essential organic element that improves absorption rate. Notably, only consider CBD products with organic elements for maximum effect.

Extraction Method

CBD products are manufactured with the organic hemp plant. Most companies have a team of agricultural experts to oversee the growth of hemp and ensure no artificial plant boosters are incorporated. However, the cream is likely to be contaminated during the extraction of essential chemical compounds differentiating the types of CBD. There are different types of extraction, including ethanol and CO2. Ethanol and CO2 are the most effective and popular ways of obtaining hemp plant extracts. However, since it uses various chemicals, ethanol will likely contaminate the end products. According to Rochfort Simone (2020), CO2 is the most effective method since it minimizes contamination of CBD cream and the environment.

The Lab Results

The lab results are the most important part of determining the best CBD cream. Best CBD cream manufacturers use an independent, IOS-certified lab to determine their product's purity and potency levels. They are going for independent labs since public ones are prone to mistakes due to heavy traffic. However, some have independent centralized labs within their manufacturing facilities to assess potency and purity levels at every manufacturing stage.

Potency Levels

The Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) has been keen on various hemp-based manufacturers to ensure they produce quality and fit-for-use products. FDA has been sending warnings to various CBD brands exposing their customers to overdosing unknowingly by posting wrong potency levels. Therefore, assess every brand's reputation, ensuring it doesn't have trouble with the FDA regarding their potency honesty. Don't rely on the posted potency levels. Always affirm the actual potency from the lab.

Purity Levels

Most CBD creams are likely to get contaminated during extraction and processing since they involve a lot of chemicals. Gonçalves et al. (2019) revealed that using CBD creams with chemical solvents might result in itching due to skin irritation or burns. Therefore, confirm the purity levels and the chemical used for processing to avoid such cases.

Conclusion

CBD creams are the best products suitable for keeping your skin moisturized. They have more oil than water since reams stay longer on your skin as the active ingredients are absorbed. However, before using any CBD cream, it is important to do sampling to ensure it is safe for usage. Apply a considerable amount to your elbow and wait for 24 hours to determine whether your skin will react to CBD negatively. Don't use it on other body parts if you experience burns or irritation. Avoid CBD products without lab results since they are likely to be contaminated. Also, avoid cheap creams since they might be of poor quality, failing to deliver the required effectiveness.

References

De Assis, P. M., Ferrarini, E. G., Baldasso, G. M., Paes, R. S., Gouvêa, M. C., Segundo, C. E. N., ... & Raposo, N. R. B. (2021). Broad-Spectrum Cannabis Oil Alleviates Behavioral Symptoms Associated With Stress-Related Anxiety And Depression In Mice. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 28(2), 239-250.

Boehnke, K. F., Gagnier, J. J., Matallana, L., & Williams, D. A. (2022). Cannabidiol Product Dosing And Decision-Making In A National Survey Of Individuals With Fibromyalgia. The Journal Of Pain, 23(1), 45-54.

Fattore, L., & Fratta, W. (2011). Beyond THC: The New Generation Of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs. Frontiers In Behavioral Neuroscience, 5, 60.

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2018). The Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of Terpenoids From Cannabis. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 282-290.

Gonçalves, J., Rosado, T., Soares, S., Simão, A. Y., Caramelo, D., Luís, Â., ... & Duarte, A. P. (2019). Cannabis And Its Secondary Metabolites: Their Use As Therapeutic Drugs, Toxicological Aspects, And Analytical Determination. Medicines, 6(1), 31.

Khalil, M., Raila, J., Ali, M., Islam, K. M., Schenk, R., Krause, J. P., ... & Rawel, H. (2012). Stability And Bioavailability Of Lutein Ester Supplements From Tagetes Flower Prepared Under Food Processing Conditions. Journal Of Functional Foods, 4(3), 602-610.

Liu, T. (2019). What Is CBD Oil? Learn The Facts: Uses, Benefits, And Side Effects.

Rochfort, S., Isbel, A., Ezernieks, V., Elkins, A., Vincent, D., Deseo, M. A., & Spangenberg, G. C. (2020). Utilization Of Design Of Experiments Approaches To Optimize Supercritical Fluid Extraction Of Medicinal Cannabis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-7.