CBD Topicals are salves, creams, and gels that contain CBD for the relief of skin conditions, muscle pain, or inflammation. The topical formulations allow CBD to be absorbed through the epidermis, reaching deeper layers of skin where it interacts with the endocannabinoid system to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. CBD Topicals also have the advantage of lessening side effects since the cannabinoid is not ingested internally.

CBD Topicals: A Comprehensive Guide to Pain and Skincare

A recent study compared the tolerability of CBD and a placebo for lower extremity injuries among former elite athletes. Participants were asked to self-report their experiences with the two treatments. The researchers analyzed the data for secondary analyses such as changes in pain, physical function, and activity of daily living. The sample was small and self-selected and could have limited external validity. Additionally, the results were based on self-report and did not use objective measures or biomarkers.

The study aimed to determine the best topical dosage and formulation to maximize the effect of CBD on lower extremity injury. CBD is a natural phytocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to promote regrowth of damaged tissues by stimulating cellular differentiation and proliferation (Gerhart-Dahlberg et al. 2022).

Another beneficial property of CBD is its ability to accelerate wound healing. Studies on human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT cells have shown that CBD can reverse the upregulation of several genes caused by radiation, including matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory proteins (Biernacki et al. 2021). It has also been shown to inhibit the production of 4-HNE, MDA and ROS by binding to membrane receptors such as TRPV and PPAR-g (Gegotek et al. 2021a).