CBD Topicals: The Gateway to Healing
By: Angela Viesti
CBD topicals are the gateway to healing. At least in my opinion.
I say this because as a cannabis advocate, I’ve seen people squirm at the idea of smoking a joint or eating an edible, usually because of an unpleasant past experiences. But the reaction to topicals is quite different.
When I came out about my cannabis consumption and career path to my family a few years ago, an older, somewhat conservative family member gleefully informed me that their friend had given them a homemade topical, which they kept stored in their refrigerator. I’ve since introduced a number of seniors to cannabis and CBD products, usually starting with topicals and exploring other forms of cannabis from there. Many of them go on to introduce their friends and family to CBD. It’s truly a pleasure to see people go from being skeptics to becoming advocates by way of their own healing journeys.
Now that CBD has taken the health and wellness space by storm, I’m constantly being approached by clients who are curious about CBD and open to trying topicals. There are a few reasons why topicals are so popular and I’ll explore them with you here.
Traditional Topical Use
Like tinctures, cannabis and hemp-based topicals were among the early medicinal applications of cannabinoids, long before prohibition and the War on Drugs. Cultures from around the globe, beginning in parts of Asia, extracted the essence of cannabis and made medicines. The anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties of cannabinoids provide localized relief for hours with a relatively short onset.
Today, we see an influx of CBD topicals turning up everywhere, from the local drugstore to the local farmers market.
Topicals appeal to the mass market for a number of reasons:
They’re discreet
They’re versatile
They’re effective
They’re non-toxic
And they’re non-intoxicating (most of them, at least!)
While topicals can be made at home by simply soaking plant material in fat or alcohol, a number of products now exist that marry traditional plant medicine with modern science and technology for better, more effective outcomes. Let’s explore them here.
A Modern Take on Topical Pain Relief
Some of the most common uses of topicals are for relieving localized pain, muscle soreness, cramps, and spasms, as well as treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and chronic dry skin. Cannabinoids like CBD already work wonders to relieve these symptoms, so adding other carefully selected ingredients amplifies their effectiveness.
Take Melt Pain Relief Lotion: Nano-emulsified CBD is blended into an aloe-based topical that absorbs quickly into the affected area, tackling inflammation and pain, while soothing and conditioning skin, locking in moisture. Essential oils like peppermint, menthol, capsaicin, and camphor relax the surrounding muscles and provide lasting relief. I have clients with severe arthritis who swear by Melt, noting that its non-greasy formula makes it great for everyday use. Whether you’re easing tension from a stressful day or a tough workout, or you’re battling pain from debilitating menstrual symptoms, Melt is an all-in-one remedy to keep handy.
Outside the Box Topicals
As mentioned above, applying CBD to the skin can improve its condition and relieve symptoms from chronic skin issues. It’s also effective in improving the appearance of skin and diminishing scars from acne and sun damage.
Bacteria, inflammation, excess oil, and hormones can cause acne flare-ups well beyond our teenage years. Of course, what you’re putting into your body plays a huge role in your skin’s appearance, but you can also support healthy skin from the outside. CBD is now found in beauty products and skincare-targeted topicals, like the Anti-Serum by Defynt.
A blend of antioxidant-rich CBD, anti-aging vitamins and minerals, and organic plant extracts work together to protect the skin from free-radicals and reverse signs of aging and sun damage.
Taking this outside-the-box approach to topicals a step further is the rise of CBD and cannabis-infused intimate products, commonly referred to as weed lube or CBD lube, although not all products in this category are actually lubricants. CBD increases blood flow and when applied to the genitalia, can cause greater sensitivity and arousal without the use of hormones. The presence of cannabinoids in a lubricant can help to bring about a sense of relaxation and ease tension.
Kush Queen’s Ignite CBD Lube is made with nano-emulsified CBD and non-toxic, latex- and toy-safe ingredients--and it’s actually a lubricant. Ignite can be used for solo exploration, is safe for use with toys, and is ideal for intimate moments with a partner or partners. Just be ready, though, because Ignite’s onset happens in a matter of seconds!
The CBD Self-Care Takeover
Self-care is all the rage right now and CBD is its perfect companion. Millennials aren’t adopting the all-work-no-play lifestyles that generations before us lived. Finding balance is about working toward our goals and taking better care of our bodies and minds. Cannabis has been a longtime staple in my self-care toolbox, ages before I called it “self-care”. What used to be lighting a joint for mental relief has expanded to include yoga, meditation, self-massage, and CBD-infused baths and showers.
Quieting the constant mental noise is essential to self-healing. But it can also be extremely challenging when stress is high and personal time is low. Before meditating or practicing yoga, or whenever I’m in need of a quick pick-me-up, I’ll take a drop of Melt and massage it into the bottoms of my feet and my shoulders. The cooling sensation brings me back into my body and the self-massage gives me something to focus my attention on.
If I had a really hard day and need to get out of my head, I’ll draw a bath and throw in a Kush Queen Citrus Bath Bomb for a blend of invigorating scents and a relaxed vibe. There’s nothing else that can soothe my body and mind so completely and so quickly. Taking a CBD-infused bath is a form of meditation. It’s a break from my phone, an act of self-love, a moment to connect with myself without interruption. And like all topicals, it leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized.
Topicals: Elevating You Daily
Now that you know what kinds of topicals are out there, share the knowledge! You may inspire a closeted cannabis advocate to come out.
Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and stories!
Ready to add some CBD topicals into your daily routine? Shop Kush Queen below!