The beauty industry is brimming with new cannabis products that make big claims on a patient’s health and wellness, but the truth is that the finer points of how, if, and why these products are up for interpretation.

Cannabis-infused beauty products aren’t new, and have been on the market for many years. Typically they’ve been infused with hemp, and not cannabinoids like THC and CBD. However with sweeping legalization on both the medical and recreational levels in North America, new products infused with CBD make claims for pain relief, skin irritations, and even acne, rosacea, and eczema.

CBD has been the subject of much discussion as one of the many active cannabinoids within cannabis that can harness the therapeutic values of cannabis without any of the psychoactive effects of THC. While CBD has been heavily explored to treat many conditions, CBD administered through the skin has yet to be fully understood.

Lotions and skin creams infused with CBD or THC are shiny and new, offering a hip new approach to cannabis that makes cannabis consumption more glamorous than smoking the herb. Many cannabis enthusiasts are jumping at the opportunity to try a new cannabis beauty product, ointment, or salve that makes claims to reduce migraines or cramps.

However, the true effectiveness of these products is up for interpretation. Those marketing these products will praise their ability to address multiple skin conditions, while the medical community would claim that their effectiveness isn’t fully understood.

As your eyes might light up at the idea of a cannabis-infused bath bomb treating full body pain, the results may vary and your pricey cannabis product could be headed down the drain.

The Cream of the Crop

For the many balms and lotions that are currently on the market, or soon to be on the market, the way in which these products are intended to work is through transdermal consumption. Simply put, cannabis absorbed through the skin would bind with cannabinoid receptors in the skin. As a medicine, cannabis is still in its early stages of research, and some of the claims for addressing skin irritations are likely rooted in anecdotal evidence, and not clinical evidence.

Luckily for many cannabis users that are eager to explore these products, CBD has been clinically validated to offer relief from arthritis and inflammation through topical administration. One study published in the European Journal of Pain explored the treatment of arthritis in rats, using CBD in a topical form. The results were positive, further affirming CBD as a method of treatment that offers the benefits of cannabis without the high closely associated with THC.

However, cannabis used to treat skin irritations or itching remains in the early stages of research, and academics are yet to discover whether to pros outweigh the cons when it comes to topical cannabis products. Claims that these products can address pain should be taken with a grain of salt, as this consumption method is not fully understood, and possible side effects are not fully researched.

A Slab of Truth

Truthfully, as transdermal cannabis products are exciting and new, claims suggesting that these products can address menstrual pain, hemorrhoids, and migraines are not rooted in clinical evidence. Whether or not cannabinoids like THC and CBD can penetrate a patient’s skin also needs to be further researched.  

There is so much to learn about this medicine, and as clinical research continues to be published, many of the anecdotal myths will be separated from clinical fact. It’s just a matter of time. In the meantime, find answers to all your cannabis questions by visiting SailCannabis.co.

About the Author::

Erica Wright is the Regional Sales Director at Sail Cannabis. As a passionate medical cannabis advocate, consultant, and educator, her biochemical, technological, and marketing experience brings a new and impactful perspective to the cannabis industry. She aims to help reduce the barriers associated with obtaining access to tested, quality cannabis products for patients through post-evaluation support and assistance. In an ever-changing environment, she hopes to continue learning and aid in the expansion of a creative and prosperous industry.

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