The variety of CBD topicals
on the market is getting more evolved, and nowadays, customers can choose from
all kinds of unique formulas to address their localized needs with the dazzling
properties of the hemp plant. One thing
you’ll notice while looking through the many different topical-based formulas
out there is that some contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
while others do not.
What are the Three Kinds of Hemp Extract Used in CBD Topicals?
Hemp extract is specifically elicited from those parts
of the hemp plant known to have high levels of cannabidiol. Generally, all CBD products that are made
with infusions of hemp compounds contain one of three types of hemp extracts.
- Full Spectrum Hemp: Contains
the full variety of compounds as they occur in hemp, including
cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and phytonutrients. Does contain the legal trace amount of THC
found in hemp at 0.3%. - Broad Spectrum Hemp: Contains
every occurring cannabinoid, terpene, flavonoid, and phytonutrient in hemp,
except for THC, which has been fully removed from the final extraction. - CBD Isolate: An
extract that contains nothing but pure cannabidiol. Because it contains only this, it’s more
concentrated in terms of its CBD content per milligram compared to both full
and broad spectrum extracts.
Can a Topical That Contains CBD Get You High?
First, let’s get one thing straight: a topical that
contains the naturally occurring amount of tetrahydrocannabinol present in hemp
will not ever get you high – not even a little bit. Why? Because
the THC in hemp is already so low that you can’t get high from consuming it in
any way. So, the likelihood of getting
high is zero, because that trace amount doesn’t even leave the cannabinoid
receptors in the localized area of application.
Topicals are applied to the skin, and the compounds in
the hemp extract absorb into the tissue of the skin, muscles and joints,
without really leaving that one targeted area.
This is why they deliver such concentrated effects to localized problem
areas, and why people don’t really notice effects anywhere else in their body.
Topical products that are made with high
concentrations of pure tetrahydrocannabinol have only a small chance of causing
a psychoactive response, since the amount of THC absorbed into the body is
enough to make its way through the bloodstream and into the nervous system,
where the psychoactive response takes place.
But, these topicals aren’t federally legal, and cannot be purchased
anywhere but in states in which marijuana is a recreationally legal substance.
What is the Main Reason Why Some Topical Products Do Contain THC?
Every cannabinoid in hemp offers value by supporting
the endocannabinoid system, and many of them offer anti-inflammatory properties
that can be applied locally. Tetrahydrocannabinol
is one of those cannabinoids, and studies have shown that it may
offer topical anti-inflammatory activity when applied to areas of the body that
are in discomfort.
Yes, the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol in hemp is so
trace that you won’t be noticing a huge impact from the THC alone, but full
spectrum hemp extract offers a synergistic effect in which the presence of all
compounds, even those in just trace amounts, work together to boost the
efficacy of one another. This means that
even that low amount of THC in a topical may be working toward providing you
with the effects that you want.
Why Do Some Topicals Contain Zero THC?
Meanwhile, there are topicals that are THC-free, and
therefore they won’t give you the entourage effect, and nor will they
give you any of the potential effects of tetrahydrocannabinol
specifically. So, why do they exist then,
if topical hemp-derived THC can’t get you high, and may even enhance a
topical’s effectiveness?
Some people want to stay away completely from tetrahydrocannabinol
for various reasons such as:
- -Maybe they just have too much fear about
drug-testing, even though the chances of failing a drug test because of a full
spectrum hemp topical are basically zero. - -They could be in recovery and feel more
comfortable abstaining from THC 100%. - -The topical solution they use works well without
containing full spectrum hemp.
These types of reasons are legitimate, and people can
experience excellent results from using THC-free hemp topicals – otherwise they
wouldn’t be so popular on the market.
The Topical Solution Choice is Yours
Ultimately, whether you select to use a THC-free
(broad spectrum or CBD isolate) topical or one that does contain THC (full
spectrum) is completely up to you. At
the end of the day, while tetrahydrocannabinol can contribute to the results of
using a topical, the difference is not big enough to make a huge impact. Any topical made with a decent milligram
strength of cannabidiol and clean, natural ingredients can offer the potential
of delivering the relief that you’re seeking out.
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