What Are the Levels of CBD Cream?
What Are the Levels of CBD Cream?
CBD products like creams have gained massive popularity in people's lifestyles as they are aware of the benefits of a few drops of the product on their skin. However, what are the levels of these commodities? This article dissects the CBD skincare cream world by providing information to these two headlines; What are the types of CBD cream? And what are the levels of CBD cream?
CBD is a healthy cannabinoid extracted with over 100 compounds in the Cannabis Sativa plant. Upon extraction, the cannabinoid is diluted using organic carrier oils such as coconut or hemp seed oils to form fat-soluble CBD oil. The oil is then added to ingredients for various products such as cream, lotions, gummy bears, wax, and many more. Each commodity is infused with CBD oil in different concentrations and compositions, resulting in varieties of products with distinct CBD potency. One of the standards used in skincare products to improve your skin appearance and treat muscle soreness is CBD cream. The cream is known to help treat skin diseases without inducing a high feeling associated with the THC compound regularly used by marijuana smokers. However, what is the level of CBD cream?
What Are the Types of CBD Cream?
The 2018 farm bill passed by the Former US president legalized the cultivation and selling of hemp plant products such as CBD cream, increasing the number of emerging brands and companies manufacturing these commodities. It resulted in companies using different extraction techniques to derive CBD compounds from the leaves and flowers of the licit plant. And the end products are three types of CBD creams available in the competing market. They include:
Full-Spectrum CBD Cream
They are whole plant commodities containing all cannabinoids in the hemp plant, including traces of THC. Marinotti et al. (2020) explained that full-spectrum cream is best suited for muscle pains and soreness since it not only harnesses the healing properties of CBD to your skin but also other health properties associated with other plant phytochemicals such as terpenes or CBG. However, the food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not regulated the selling and manufacturing of CBD commodities resulting in full-spectrum cream contaminated with a THC level above the recommended mark (less than 0.3%). Therefore, if you don't want the mind-altering effects associated with THC, always go for the CBD cream listed below.
CBD Isolate Cream
It is 99% pure, containing only CBD oil with no contamination from other cannabinoids. Most CBD isolates are of high potency since companies use all the available techniques to remove other plant compounds isolating highly concentrated CBD oil during extraction. It is also best suited for kids or delicate seniors since it doesn't exhibit the harmful side effects of other cannabinoids.
Broad-Spectrum CBD Cream
It lies in the middle of the other two CBD cream types by containing almost all compounds in the hemp plant except THC. It is the best way to apply entourage effects associated with other minor cannabinoids without the risk of getting high.
What Are the Levels of CBD Cream?
Giacoppo et al. (2015) found that the average strength or potency that the product contains ranges from 10 mg to 300mg per bottle in terms of CBD topicals like cream. There are four levels of CBD cream, namely;
- Low-potency (1st level)
- Moderate potency (2nd level)
- High potency (3rd level)
- Ultra-high potency (4th level
Low Potency CBD Cream
Most CBD cream classified as the first level contains 10% or less of CBD compounds in the entire product; for example, a cream container of 60 ml has 6mg of CBD oil, meaning that in every 10ml you apply, you harness 1 mg of CBD. It is best suited to make you feel sleepy and relax muscles. The low-concentrated CBD binds with muscles' CB2 receptors making the body relaxed and less anxious by making the brain switch off from traumatic thoughts. It is also suitable for treating the following;
- Acute anxieties
- acute pains such as muscle fatigue
- insomnia and jetlag sleeping problems
- Early stages of stress disorders like PSTD
Low-potent CBD cream is the best choice to avoid overwhelming the body's receptors if you are a beginner in the CBD regime. A single application can improve your overall immune system.
Moderate Potency CBD Cream
Creams containing this CBD level comprise 20 to 30% of the cannabinoid, with the remaining percentage being other product chemical or organic ingredients. Most of this cream contains full-spectrum CBD enabling you to harvest both benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids. Using this level increases appetite by having munchies for healthy foodstuffs such as greenery and legumes. When you apply medium potency cream, it increases skin complexity. It reduces digestive tract inflammation and releases the hormone leptin, responsible for making you feel full. As a result, it increases the production of ghrelin which makes you feel hungry and stimulate your brain to crave foods with high estrogens like dried fruits, seeds, and vegetables. Oleinik et al. (2022) highlighted the following other benefits associated with medium CBD potency;
- treating chronic inflammation in muscles
- hydrating your skin
- removing skin wrinkles and dirt
- Treat digestive issues
- Treating chronic anxiety
- boosting body energy levels
High Potency CBD Cream
This Level of CBD cream is not for everyone. If you are a newbie to the skincare CBD regime, this cream may not react with the body's receptors well. The cream contains 40 to 60% of CBD molecules, making you feel more focused and less in pain. The highly concentrated CBD compounds interact with brain CB1 receptors to reduce the brain neurons' inflammatory activities, thus increasing focus and concentration. Additionally, the cream level can help in the following;
- Treats harsh skin diseases like arthritis, acne, and eczema
- Treating chronic pains and depression
- combating epilepsy
- reducing seizures for diseases like ADHD and Alzheimer's
- aid in fighting cancer cells.
Ultra-High Potency CBD Cream
This cream level contains over 70% of CBD oil in the product. According to Reiman et al. (2017), ultra-high potent CBD creams are easy to overdose increasing diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness. Unless you're suffering from severe symptoms or a qualified cannabis doctor administers it, don't use this level of CBD cream; always stick to the low or moderate range. People who have applied ultra-high CBD cream have reported cases of down-to-earth feelings nine increased fear, anger, and anxiety). It is because the body system is trying to adjust to the interaction of the excessive cannabinoid with body receptors. Negative emotions are the expected side effects when you overwhelm the body with any medication, either prescribed or supplemented.
Conclusion
With the varieties of CBD products available over the counter, finding the best products in potency may be a bit challenging. The article has broken down four levels of CBD cream from low, medium, high and ultra-high potency to avoid frustrations and confusion. The best way to know the best product for your condition is to consult an experienced physician. Your health history can provide guidelines on applying the correct dosage and CBD Cream level.
References
Marinotti, O., & Sarill, M. (2020). Differentiating Full-Spectrum Hemp Extracts From CBD Isolates Implications For Policy, Safety, And Science. Journal Of Dietary Supplements, 17(5), 517-526.
Giacoppo, S., Galuppo, M., Pollastro, F., Grassi, G., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2015). A New Formulation Of Cannabidiol In Cream Shows Therapeutic Effects In A Mouse Model Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. DARU Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(1), 1-17.
Oleinik, G. The Best CBD Creams & Topicals For Acne (March 2022).
Reiman A., Welty M., And Perry Solomon. Cannabis As A Substitute For Opioid-Based Pain Medication: Patient Self-Report. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, Vol. 2, No. 1. Published Online On 1 Jun 2017.
