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January 24, 2023

A growing trend for pain management is to integrate products containing Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, in conjunction with or as an alternative to other standard management options.
Dr. Scott Palmer is a certified internal medicine physician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, a medical team physician for two professional Chicago sports teams, Chief Medical Advisor for Chylocureand a CBD advocate.
"Reputable hard science and early clinical trials supporting the use of cannabinoids is growing," said Dr. Palmer. "That's why I frequently recommend CBDa Chylobinoid® products to help alleviate muscular, joint, or neuropathic pain from athletic activity, chronic arthritis, or mild injuries."

But unlike common over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen which are typically taken as tablets or capsules, CBDa can be taken many more ways, including tinctures and gummies, or applied as topical creams, balms, and serums. The best option for you will depend on what you wish to treat and your personal preferences. Here’s a brief guide to common CBD formats.

Topicals

Topical CBD treatments may be applied directly to the affected area to treat pain from arthritis, sore muscles, injuries, burns, and sun exposure. Because they bypass the stomach and intestine, the CBD enters the bloodstream more quickly than with ingestible products.

Cream—Pros: Great for all areas of the body, absorbed quickly through the skin to the site of inflammation. Cons: Some people may find applying cream messy or dislike its scent.
Body Balm Stick—Pros: Easier to apply than cream and less messy. Easy to carry with you. Cons: Absorbed more slowly, but longer-lasting effects.
Serum—Pros: Fastest delivery because it is not diluted with moisturizer. Cons: More expensive, may irritate sensitive skin.

Ingestibles

Ingestible CBD products are taken by mouth to treat pain and inflammation, and to help achieve relaxation or improve sleep. Although it will take longer until you feel their effect, they make it easy to set an optimal dosage and adjust it as needed.

Tablets—Pros: Higher dosage than capsules, easy to carry with you. Cons: Slower delivery to the bloodstream, may have a bitter aftertaste. Some people may find them difficult to swallow.
Capsules—Pros: Faster delivery to the bloodstream, easier to swallow, easy to carry with you. Cons: Lower dosage than tablets.
Tinctures—Pros: Fastest delivery because it is applied directly to the tongue, easy to adjust dosage. Cons: Inconvenient to carry, may have a bitter taste.
Gummies—Pros: Fun to eat, chewable, and can be taken without water. Sweet flavor tastes like a treat. Cons: Lowest dosage, longest time for delivery to the bloodstream.

If you’d like to learn more about choosing the most effective CBDa product for your specific needs, Hammacher Schlemmer is sponsoring a Free webinar, featuring the aforementioned Dr. Palmer, to explain how the different CBDa products interact with our bodies. The recording of the webinar can be found here. Please join us!

And you can always find our ever-expanding assortment of CBD products and health supplements here.