Most people think of medical cannabis as something you can inhale, eat, or drink. But there is another popular format called topicals, designed to be applied directly to the skin. In this short blog, you’ll learn what cannabis topicals are, and how to use them as part of your everyday routine. 

What are cannabis topicals?

Topicals are a catch-all term for external-use products that are infused with cannabinoids like THC and CBD. They often contain other ingredients such as essential oils and botanical extracts.

Examples of different topicals include:

•  Lotions, creams, gels, and balms 
• Bath bombs and bath salts
• Roll-on applicator sticks

Unlike inhalable and ingestible formats, topicals are applied to external areas of the body, such as arms, neck, shoulders, back, and legs.   

How to use cannabis topicals

Using topicals is just like applying any other type of lotion.

• Start with clean, dry skin
• Apply a small amount to the desired area
• Massage into the skin until absorbed
• Wash your hands after use

As with any medical cannabis product, follow Health Canada’s guidance of “start low, go slow” by beginning with a small amount and waiting to see how it affects you before applying more.

Do topicals cause intoxicating effects?

No, topicals do not cause intoxicating effects like those associated with THC. This is because they do not enter the bloodstream or reach the brain. Instead, topicals work at the surface level by interacting with cannabinoid receptors located in the skin.