PRODUCTS
Topical Talk WRITTEN BY HEATH LASLO PHOTOS BY ALLIE BECKETT
Here in Washington State we, uniquely, have a large number of companies producing highquality cannabis-infused creams and balms. These topicals have been perfected by people with years of experience refining their formulas using cannabis oils and extracts in concert with other essential oils known for their antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. The result is a number of products that offer incredible pain relief when used alone or in combination with other cannabis-infused products (like tinctures for example) to control acute and chronic pain syndromes. The range of treatment applications for these products is limitless, everything from severe lower-back pain to painful arthritic conditions to neuropathic skin conditions, such as shingles and even a sunburn. These topical-infused creams have no CNS effects, i.e. you don’t get “high,” but they will give you two to three hours of pain-free bliss when used alone or longer when combined with other cannabis products. Originally my thought was to determine
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which of these products contained the highest levels of activated cannabinoids, which I consciously equated to efficacy. After doing extensive research on the topic and reviewing most of the laboratory testing results for these products, what I found is that all of them have roughly the same amount of activated cannabinoids contained within. Arguably, some products have a little bit more than others, but we would be splitting hairs, and I am not convinced that current laboratory testing methods (on topicals) is that precise, nor relevant. When choosing one product over the other it really comes down to your intended use and personal preference regarding sensation, texture and scent. After application to the skin, some products produce a feeling of warmth, while others feel cool and some have no sensation at all. Other personal preferences to consider are texture, or feel, and scent. Creams in general are lighter, quickly absorbed through the skin and can be spread over large areas if
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applied quickly. Balms on the other hand are a bit thicker, can be manipulated longer when applied to the skin and seem to last longer, but can leave a feeling of tackiness if covered by your clothes. Additionally, when choosing a topical you should consider the type of pain you are treating (i.e. intended use). If you had an extreme case of neuropathic shingles or sunburn, choosing a balm that provides a feeling of warmth similar to Tiger Balm or Icy Hot might not be the best choice. Instead, you might consider using a cream with menthol and lavender that provides a cool feeling. Conversely, if you suffer from arthritic conditions or deep-tissue muscle pain, a balm that provides that deep warm feeling and can be massaged into the skin over a few minutes might be exactly what you need. Having used all of these creams and balms to treat my own pain and sprains over the years, I felt it was time to identify the best of the best from each company, so on with the show!