CBD vs THC Topicals: Which One Should You Try?

If you’re hunting for cannabis wellness products and topicals, you may have noticed that there are an overwhelming amount of options to choose from. These options include many products featuring CBD, while some new cannabis topicals may include THC,  as well. 

There are a  few key differences between CBD vs. THC topical products on the market to be aware of in order to make the most informed decision.  Keep reading to learn all you need to know about cannabis topicals and wellness products, including what they are, the benefits of topicals that contain CBD vs. those with THC too, and how ratios make a difference:

What are Topicals?

Topicals are any product designed to be applied outside of the body and to the skin, such as salves, lotions, and balms. They can help with a range of things including certain skin conditions and pain management. Cannabis topicals generally contain other helpful ingredients, like menthol and camphor which have soothing properties, to provide additional support alongside the benefits provided by the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis.

What are the Different Categories of Topical Cannabis Products?

CBD and THC are just two of more than 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, along with others like CBC, CBG, and CBN. The reason you hear primarily about CBD and THC is that they are directly tied to reducing inflammation (CBD) and pain (THC).

Here are the three main categories of CBD wellness products available:

CBD Isolate: This is the purest form of CBD, containing no THC or other terpenes. CBD Isolate is said to help with inflammation, but to a lesser degree than broad and full-spectrum products.

Broad Spectrum: Broad spectrum products contain every cannabinoid found in the hemp plant except for THC. Unlike CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD products have a higher likelihood of producing beneficial health effects due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect

Full Spectrum: Full spectrum products contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant, including THC. Studies have shown that wellness products that contain all cannabinoids, such as full-spectrum products, are the most effective for treating pain and anxiety than those that contain only CBD, again thanks to the entourage effect and the specific interactions of THC and CBD within the body. 

1:1 (THC:CBD): Products that contain a one to one ratio of CBD to THC pack even more benefits. These types of products utilize CBD to help with inflammation while the THC is used to help reduce pain. Topical products containing equal amounts of both THC and CBD are great for precise pain relief for the areas of your body that need it most. These products, however, are only sold by licensed cannabis dispensaries. 

What Are the Benefits of Wellness Products that Combine THC and CBD?

Similar to full-spectrum products, topical and wellness products like tinctures and salves that contain both THC and CBD work with the endocannabinoid system to bring entourage effect benefits to the applied area as well as the entire body. The endocannabinoid system is made up of two different kinds of receptors, CB1 and CB2, that are responsible for facilitating beneficial effects to different parts of the body. CB1 receptors are located throughout the body in areas such as the skin, muscles and nerves while CB2 receptors are found in areas such as the brain and central nervous system.

Topical cannabis products first interact with CB1 receptors in your skin to provide benefits like pain and inflammation relief to that specific area. After being applied to the skin, topical cannabis products are then absorbed into the body and enter the bloodstream. Once there, the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes are delivered to CB2 receptors where they can provide additional mental benefits. However, absorption happens so slowly that many people won’t notice these benefits.

Topical Products with CBD and THC at Happy Valley

When experimenting with topical  products, it‘s important to buy from a brand you can trust to ensure you get the benefits you are looking for. Happy Valley is committed to creating a consistent, premium-quality cannabis experience so you can trust what you’re buying. Our 1:1 (CBD:THC) products combine the benefits of both THC and CBD to deliver consistent and noticeable results:

Happy Valley’s Relief 1:1 (CBD:THC) Topical Salve: This 1:1  topical salve combines 250mg CBD, 250mg THC, and essential oils to help soothe minor aches and pains as well as fight inflammation. This topical is one of very few on the market that contain both CBD and THC in a 1:1 ratio to help you take full advantage of the entourage effect. Click on the product link above to read our FAQs, or order online from our East Boston or Gloucester dispensary to try it today!

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