Topical
Category: Medical · Level: Beginner
Cannabis topicals are products applied directly to the skin, including creams, balms, and transdermal patches, used for localized therapeutic effects.
Cannabis topicals are a product category encompassing lotions, creams, balms, salves, oils, and patches formulated for dermal application. Non-transdermal topicals (lotions, balms) interact with local CB2 receptors in skin tissue to produce localized anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects without systemic absorption — meaning they do not produce psychoactive effects. Transdermal patches, by contrast, are designed to penetrate the skin barrier and deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream, producing systemic effects. Topicals are popular in both medical cannabis and consumer wellness contexts, particularly for managing localized pain, inflammation, and skin conditions.
Also known as
Cannabis lotion, CBD balm, Transdermal cannabis
Usage
- Medical
- Recreational
Related terms
- Terpene — Terpenes are aromatic organic compounds produced by cannabis and many other plants, responsible for distinct flavors and scents, and potentially contributing to therapeutic effects.
- CBD — Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp, widely used in medical research and consumer wellness products.
- Medical Cannabis — Medical cannabis refers to cannabis or cannabis-derived products prescribed or recommended by a licensed healthcare professional for therapeutic purposes.
- CBG — Cannabigerol (CBG) is a minor cannabinoid often called the 'mother cannabinoid' because CBGA is the precursor from which other major cannabinoids are synthesized.