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Can I get high using Cannabis topical? Can I fail a drug test using a topical.
The short answers are no, and no, with one important exception. Now for the details...
Topical cannabis preparations like lotions, balms, salves and other products that are rubbed on the skin or added into baths can be quite effective for inflammation and pain relief as they bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the skin, but they won’t make you high.
Generally speaking topicals have far less cannabis in them than what you smoke, vape or eat., but even if they didn’t, you wouldn’t feel high with this application method.
Dr. Amanda Reiman of the Drug Policy Alliance made an excellent comparison between cannabis topicals and rubbing alcohol. Despite its high alcohol content, you are not going to feel drunk by using rubbing alcohol. The same is true to of cannabis topicals and feeling high.
You also don’t have to worry about failing a drug test with topicals, as the cannabis is absorbed through the skin and never enters the bloodstream.
That said, there is one type of topical that will both make you high and cause you to fail a drug test.
Transdermal Patches: The Exception to the Cannabis Topicals Rule
If you live in a recreationally or medicinally legal state, you may come across cannabis infused transdermal patches. While extremely effective, these patches do contain ingredients that allow THC to enter the bloodstream. Likewise they can make you feel high and they WILL CAUSE YOU TO FAIL A DRUG TEST.
However, if drug testing is not an issue, Transdermal patches can be a great way to medicate as they are discreet and keep a steady dose in your system at all times. They even have a CBD-only product for those who want to avoid the high.
A Transdermal patch is a medicated adhesive patch that is placed on the skin to deliver a specific dose of medication through the skin and into the bloodstream. Often, this promotes healing to an injured area of the body.
Is it true? Do cannabis application really work?
It may seem difficult to believe that rubbing or slathering on a cannabis infused lotion, salve, or balm could actually get real tangible pain relieving or anti-inflammatory results, but there is actually solid science behind it.
Topical cannabis, cannot enter the bloodstream and won’t make you high or a fail a drug test. Nonetheless, it can provide therapeutic benefits by bonding with the CB2 cannabinoid receptors that are abundant in the body’s largest organ - the skin
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Most people use cannabis infused topicals for relief of localized pain, muscle soreness or to reduce inflammation. But new evidence is emerging that they can also be effective for skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis.
Some topicals are made with THC-rich decarboxylated cannabis. That means the marijuana has been heated, in order to turn the THC-A (or THC acid) in the raw plant into THC, especially effective for sore muscle-type pain.
However, many topicals choose to not decarboxylate preferring to keep the THC in its acidic form, as THC-A is effective for its anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective properties. Choose a THC-A rich topical for inflammatory pain, such as arthritis.
Lots of Topical Cannabis Choices
As the market expands, a dizzying array of topical cannabis products are hitting the shelves including balms, salves, lotions, creams, bath soaks, massage oils and more. There are even topical marijuana applications specifically made for pets!
We are not sure if Seniors are ahead of the curve when it comes to topical cannabis, or if they just have more reasons to use it, but topical cannabis products are especially popular with the over 50 crowd.
If you’ve been curious if topical cannabis might work for you, why not give it a try. you might just find relief is closer than you think.
Thanks for keeping me company and letting me have a space to share this with you. I’ll be back again soon with another post/video, until then please remember to be safe and responsible with your cannabis use, puff puff pass the love, and smoke weed daily,