THC vs CBD – Which Cannabis Topical Is Right For me?
Shannon pushed things a little too hard on her run yesterday. She is paying for it today. Her calf muscles are extra tight and her lower back injury has flared up once again. She knows she needs to take it easy but still has a list a mile long of things to do. This includes picking us the kids from school and trekking them all over town to their extracurricular activities. It’s going to be a rough one, however Shannon knows that THC infused topicals are the perfect solution.
Shannon busts out her remedial cannabis infused oil from her purse, rubs some on at the site of her pain, and marches forth to conquer her day…. pain free.
People from all walks of life are turning to Cannabis topicals as a way to beat pain and inflammation, easily, effectively, and without any psychoactive effects. Let’s face it, not everyone out there wants or has the option to get high, every day, all day.
There are many of us who experience either chronic or acute pain but still have lives to lead, places to go, and people to see. But being high can affect the way we function in the world.
The thing is, we all very well know now that Cannabis is an amazing inhibitor of pain and inflammation. It is not all about the psychoactive effects. It is about the relief we can experience from this plant medicine. Topical Cannabis for pain is the answer for many. Topicals deliver both CBD and THC to the area of pain for maximum relief without an unwanted high.
Cannabis infused oils and salves have been used for centuries and are by no mean a new thing. However, now that the mainstream use of Cannabis is once again on the rise topical cannabis for pain is becoming more available.
The question is, which are the best cannabis topicals for pain on the market? What are the differences between one product vs. another? And how do we choose a topical that is most effective?
Here we examine the difference between CBD Infused vs Full Spectrum THC infused topicals for pain management….
These days we are seeing a large variety of CBD infused product. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the compound that alleviates inflammation and pain. CBD infused topicals are derived from either hemp or CBD-rich cannabis stains bred to contain no more than 0.3% THC. Cannabis products containing less than 0.3% THC were removed from the federal list of controlled substances with the enactment of the Farm Bil in 2018. This is when we began seeing an increase in CBD infused products.
The fact of the matter is though, without THC something is lacking. Many experts believe the combination of THC and CBD is most effective when it comes to treating pain. You see, these cannabinoids work together synergistically to create an entourage effect. It is only full spectrum cannabis oil that contains all of the cannabinoids. Nature specifically designed these compounds to work together in unison. THC essentially magnifies CBDs anti-inflammatory effects, as do other important cannabinoids such as THCV, CBG, CBGA, CBDA, and CBC found only in full spectrum oils.
The combination of THC, CBD, and these other cannabinoids provide the most balanced effect. When applied topically, there is absolutely no psychoactive consequence whatsoever. Natural terpenes found in full spectrum oil complete this therapeutic picture. Terpenes further aid in the reduction of inflammation and pain. Topical products that contain all of the above have proven to be, by far, most effective. This is not to say that CBD infused products are not effective. It is just that products containing even small amounts of THC have a more balanced effect to them.
In the words of Dr. Ethan Russo, “A severe price may be paid if cannabis-based medicines are devoid of THC.”
When selecting topical cannabis for pain look for a product that is full spectrum, organic, and packed full of cannabinoids. Always select a topical that has the highest total THC and CBD per ounce. For example, Canna-Fusion’s Ultimate Salve contains a total of 600mg of active cannabinoids per 1 OZ/30Grams of product! This makes them the most potent cannabis topicals in the state of Oregon.
While CBD infused topicals are readily available, topicals that contain THC are a little harder to find. Products containing as little as 1% THC are heavily regulated by state laws that keep them on lock down. In most states, THC topicals are solely available in dispensaries. And let’s face it, many people like Shannon have had some preconceived notions about dispensaries.
There are many people out there who could benefit greatly from full spectrum topicals, however they do not really want to step foot into a dispensary. After all, what would Timmy’s mom from the soccer team say if she saw Shannon entering the neighborhood pot shop? The same goes for senior citizens. Topical cannabis for pain is rapidly becoming the preferred method of Cannabis consumption for the elderly. Many older folks are simply not comfortable with the idea of going into a dispensary though. While it may be some time before laws surrounding THC change, it is up to people like Cheryl Marquart, a healthcare provider and cannabis advocate in Southern Oregon. to help make a change in the minds of individuals whom are in need of full spectrum cannabis topicals for pain.
Cheryl has made it her mission to get cannabis into the hand of the people who will benefit from it most. She frequently leads dispensary tours for members of a local retirement community in her home state of Oregon. She takes seniors to multiple dispensaries to learn about the various products available theses days and how these products, including topicals, can assist with a wide variety of health conditions.
Tours like these are helping to bridge the gap that exists between the patient and the product. Dispensary tours are helping people begin to feel more safe and comfortable with idea of visiting a dispensary for all of their wellness needs.
It is time that THC stops getting such a bad rap. This cannabinoid carries with it an integral piece of the puzzle when it comes to natural wellness through the use of cannabis.
CBD products may be widely available at variety of locations, including many health food stores. For the highest grade cannabis topicals you will need to visit a dispensary though. And yes, they are going to contain THC. No, they won’t get you high. They won’t show up on a drug test either. However they will help you to live a life that is more pain free and functional. Shannon decided the benefits outweighed any potential stigma or label and she went for it. She picked up some Canna-Fusion topicals at her local Oregon dispensary and has been beyond grateful for the relief she has received. She even shared some with Timmy’s mom at soccer practice the other day 😉
Leave a Reply