You might assume that cannabis is only available in edibles and dried flowers if you haven’t used it much in the past.
But there are more cannabis applications than ever before, including ones like topicals that don’t even get you high—at least not in the conventional sense.
Getting the right dosage for cannabis topicals can be particularly difficult because they are typically not psychoactive.
Generally speaking, before using topicals on larger areas of your body, it is advised that you perform a small patch test. However, in order to use marijuana for medical reasons while residing in Texas, you must obtain a medical marijuana card, which will allow you to legally access marijuana without facing any legal ramifications.
Next, use the smallest amount of the suggested dose specified on the product label, provided your skin has not responded adversely to the topical. Watch to see if the effects become apparent. If not, increase it a little bit.
What are cannabis topicals?
Cannabis topicals are products infused with marijuana that are typically applied topically.
Their contents include cannabinoids, such as CBD and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can be combined with other active ingredients typically found in skincare products (e.g., retinoids, capsaicin, arnica, and ceramides).
Topicals can be found in a variety of forms, such as but not limited to:
CBD topicals are so popular because of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized CBD across the board in the US, particularly in states where it is still illegal to use cannabis.
However, legitimate cannabis topicals should contain a blend of terpenes, THC, and other cannabinoids.
With the possible exception of transdermal patches (which aren’t always considered topicals), no topical is likely to get you high, even though genuine marijuana topicals can only be sold in states with recreational or medical cannabis programs.
Rather, topicals work by interacting with the epidermis’s cannabinoid receptors to produce a potentially therapeutic but non-intoxicating effect.
It has been demonstrated that using topical products can help treat skin conditions and reduce inflammation and pain more broadly.
Influential Factors Shaping Cannabis Topical Dosage
Numerous factors may influence the recommended topical dosage. Individual tolerance is one of the factors.
Additional elements have to do with the topical product itself. Take your topical THC-to-CBD ratio, for instance. Your intended effect should guide both the topical you use and the dosage you take.
For example, you may want to take a higher dose of lotion to achieve anti-inflammatory effects than you would apply when adding THC skin cream to your skincare routine.
Essential Rules for Cannabis Topical Dosage
When experimenting with new skincare products, you should always perform a patch test first to observe how the product affects the skin before applying the full amount to the affected area.
Different products have different topical potencies and volumes, so general dosage recommendations might not always be applicable. Always begin with a small dosage.
All products are going to have different potencies. The most important thing is, depending on where you are buying from, to read the label or consult with your pharmacist, dispensary budtender, or patient care specialist.
Although the majority of cannabis-infused topicals won’t make you feel inebriated, using more than is necessary could unnecessarily raise your topical tolerance. Furthermore, it might be a waste of money to treat a sunburn with an entire bottle of THC lotion rather than just the area that is affected by the appropriate amount.
By applying the smallest amount possible of the recommended product dosing with an applicator as a general guideline for dosing best practices. Also, remember to wash your hands after using them.
Quantifying Dosage Across Different Cannabis Topical Types
Different dosages may be needed for different types of topicals. Topicals differ greatly in volume as well.
Topicals that are 5 mg per pump, 10 mg per pump, 1 mg of THC per pea-sized amount, and 5 mg for the entire container, there is no standard starting dose for topical products. It can truly differ by so much.
● Creams and lotions
While knowing how many milligrams a cream or lotion contains overall is crucial, knowing how much the product weighs overall is also crucial.
A 3-ounce lotion containing 500 milligrams of THC, for instance, might need a lower dosage than a 5-ounce lotion with the same concentration.
● Oils
Measuring your dosage for oil products, including salves and balms, should take into account the entire volume of the product, just like you would for creams and lotions.
Additionally, you ought to think about combining the oil with other products or using it as a topical on its own.
● Sprays
For people who want topicals at lower doses, sprays might be ideal.
Cannabis sprays can probably be applied more frequently than many other topicals because they are less likely to provide localized relief than topicals, even though you should still think about your dose overall.
Safety Tips
Dosing cannabis topicals still requires careful thought to ensure your safety, even if you don’t think it will have any psychoactive effects. To be informed about what you’re letting penetrate your skin, you should always read the label of any topical you buy.
Investigate any possible interactions between cannabis topicals and any prescription drugs or other substances you frequently use.
Some experts suggest that using CBD products should require changing the dosage of certain medications because even using pure CBD products has been shown to cause notable interactions with some medications.
Consult your MMJ doctor if you have any questions about how using topicals infused with cannabis may impact your interaction with any medications you are currently taking.
Furthermore, keep all creams, ointments, and topicals out of pets’ reach, even though they probably won’t make you feel high. Whatever its form, cannabis is toxic to dogs and cats.
Summing up!
Sometimes it can seem like a complex science to dose cannabis topicals. However, you can take advantage of many of the medicinal qualities that marijuana has to offer once you determine the dosage and topical that are most effective for you.
The cannabis plant’s adaptability is a real wonder. In fact, topical cannabis applications are ideal for conditions like arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
