Best CBD Creams for Pain

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has shown great therapeutic potential for many people when it comes to pain management. In particular, CBD creams are an option that many athletes and active individuals flock towards since it can be applied topically for targeted pain areas. Here we’ll talk specifically about CBD creams for pain.

Why use CBD cream for pain?

CBD is a compound found in cannabis plants that has gained much attention for its ability to aid in inflammation, anxiety, and many other issues. This compound can be infused into creams and lotions as a way to apply CBD topically for a variety of reasons, including skin nourishment and pain alleviation. However, it can be hard to find a high quality CBD topical for pain if you have never tried these products before and don’t know where to start.

We’ve researched over 100 brands and found the best products according to customer experiences, sourcing methods, and third party lab testing. Here you can find our top five recommendations for CBD creams that may help you reduce pain and inflammation without inhaling or ingesting CBD.

Best CBD Creams for Pain

Benefits of CBD Cream for Pain

When you experience pain, it’s often the result of inflammation that can arise from tension, overuse, stress, or minor injuries of your muscles, joints, tendons, and other body parts. But where does this inflammation come from? Essentially, your immune system responds to damage within the body by sending chemicals from the white blood cells to the afflicted area, which helps protect against infection from foreign substances. When this occurs, the chemical release may cause swelling and nerve stimulation that causes us to feel pain.

Cannabinoids like CBD may be able to offer some relief for this issues through the endocannabinoid system, which helps us maintain balance for a variety of bodily functions. The human body has internal cannabinoid receptors that allow compounds like CBD to indirectly interact with our sensory receptors, which can effectively diminish our pain sensation. These cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the skin, meaning that CBD topicals may offer some benefit to alleviating localized pain when applied to specific areas.

One study published by the European Journal of Pain also noted, “[the] use of topical CBD has potential as effective treatment of arthritic symptomatology” after conducting tests using a rat model of arthritis pain. Additionally, there are minimal side effects associated with CBD, especially when applied topically.

FAQs about CBD Creams for Pain

Is CBD oil or CBD cream better for pain?

This really depends on your personal preference and the kind of pain that your experience on a daily basis. If you suffer from chronic pain, you may prefer using CBD oil for pain. But for aches and pains in targeted areas, especially those that arise after an intense workout or exercise training, many people prefer to use a fast-acting topical CBD cream.

Is CBD cream legal?

CBD is most often extracted from hemp strains, meaning it contains less than 0.3% THC and is widely legal throughout the United States. In fact, CBD topicals are seemingly the “most legal” of any CBD product since they are not taken as a supplement like CBD oil, or ingested like CBD gummies or capsules. Instead, CBD creams are applied to the skin and pose no real risks, and even large drugstore chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have added CBD creams to their shelves in select locations across many states.

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is typically extracted from hemp plants as opposed to marijuana plants, which allows these products to offer beneficial pain relieving effects without the “high” sensation that comes from THC (the psychoactive element in cannabis).