• What Is CBD?
• Why Do People Use Topical CBD?
• How We Reviewed Best CBD Creams & Topicals
• Official Reviews of CBD Topical Products

While CBD tinctures are still the first CBD product many people encounter, CBD topicals are increasingly commonplace. A variety of CBD-infused creams, balms and salves are widely available today, even in some everyday drug stores.

Topical CBD is a great choice whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, inflammation or just the aches and stiffness of everyday life. CBD creams and balms are often a convenient and fast-acting way to bring relief to sore muscles or other parts of your body that hurt.

This review of the best CBD topicals is the latest in Ministry of Hemp’s product review series. Periodically, we review the best products in a category and put them together in a guide like this. You’ll find more of our Best CBD reviews in the “CBD Reviews” menu at the top of our site.

This category grew a lot since we first wrote this article. These reviews focus on the best topical CBD creams for soreness, inflammation, and other body ailments. Other, separate articles focus on CBD skin care and beauty products.

Keep reading to learn more about CBD and why people use CBD topicals. Or, scroll down to read our reviews of the best CBD creams, salves and balms.

What is CBD?

CBD is an extract of industrial hemp. Many consumers report CBD offers significant relief from pain and inflammation. CBD is seeing tremendous popularity today. CBD has few side effects and seems to work especially well in topical form. While most commonly found in a tincture or capsule, many brands offer CBD in a salve or cream for application to the skin. You can even find CBD topicals in drug stores and other brick and mortar stores.

Quality matters. CBD is unregulated and there are too many fake products out there. Always research your products, and avoid buying from a vendor like a gas station, where you wouldn’t normally buy wellness products.

At Ministry of Hemp, we maintain the highest standards when it comes to CBD and hemp products. You can trust that we’ve carefully reviewed each of these products, and sampled them ourselves before including them here.

Why Do People Use Topical CBD Creams?

The main advantage of CBD topical form is you apply it directly wherever your body needs help. While we still don’t fully understand how CBD creams work, most users report rapid, even instantaneous effects.

There’s a growing body of scientific evidence to support the use of topical CBD products to ease pain, inflammation, and the symptoms of arthritis. One study using rats found that topical CBD has “therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects.” More scientific research on humans is needed to confirm all of CBD’s benefits, but the initial research into topical use in humans is also promising.

Hemp and CBD oil are also increasingly popular skin care ingredients. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can reduce rashes and irritation in the skin just like it eases muscle aches and stiffness.

Quality matters: How we picked the Best CBD Creams and Topicals

For our review of the best CBD topicals available online, we focused only on companies which make third-party, independent lab results available to consumers. Lab results are available online, included in the order, or on request. It’s vitally important that consumers know exactly what products they’re consuming: how strong it is, and whether it has any impurities.

We focused on brands that are transparent about the source of their hemp, and make it easy to find out what other ingredients were included. All of these CBD brands also have fast, friendly customer service and easy to use websites. We rated each brand on their price, strength, and the cost of shipping.

Our reviews also include the ingredients and a description of the scent and texture of each CBD topical. We tried to remain neutral in our descriptions of each product, since each consumer’s experience is subjective.

These are all high-quality CBD creams, balms and salves, but you may find you prefer one scent over another. While many of the products below contain added ingredients that ease sore muscles, others focus on CBD alone. Experiment to find out what you like. You might love or hate menthol. Some people prefer a light texture, while other buyers are looking for heavier CBD topicals to use in a massage.

Best CBD Cream [Official Reviews]

After careful review, we believe these are the best CBD topicals for sale online.

• Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm
• Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub
• Charlotte’s Web Unscented Hemp Infused Cream
• Medterra CBD Rapid Cooling Cream
• Plus CBD Oil Gold Extra Strength Hemp Balm
• Ananda Hemp Spectrum Salve 125
• Hemp Luxe Hemp Extract Balm
• Catskills Comfrey with CBD & Arnica
• DaCrema Botanicals CBD Healing Salve

Click above or continue reading for our complete review of each brand.

Ministry of Hemp received free products from in return for writing this review. We may receive a percentage of sales if you buy products from some of the brands below. We only selected the best CBD topicals for inclusion in this top product roundup, and we always promise to give you our honest opinion.

Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Balm

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• Highlights: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Hemp Balm is one of our all time favorite CBD creams featuring just full-spectrum CBD. This topical is available in a variety of incredible scents or a simple, unscented form.
• Price: $15.00 – $50.00
• Special: Use coupon MOH10 for 10% off this topical
• Strength: 300 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 0.5 oz tin, also available in a 2 oz, 1200mg tin
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free 3-day shipping on all orders.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Texture & Smell: This topical feels luxuriously smooth on the skin. A little greasy at first it absorbs quickly. The scents are natural and delightful.
• Ingredients: (for Lavender variety) CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp Extract in Organic Mango Butter, Organic Beeswax, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Lavender Oil, Oleic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate

Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub

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• Highlights: Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub goes to work fast cooling sore muscles thanks to the added menthol. Very light, non-greasy texture.
• Price: $45.00 (20% off with subscription)
• Strength: 100 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 3 oz. tube
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free standard shipping is available, with faster options available for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Included with every order.
• Texture & Smell: This rub has a noticeable smell of menthol. Our review team appreciated the light, non-greasy texture of this Cold Therapy Rub.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp Extract in Water, Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract, Carbomer, Chamomile extract, Arnica extract, Emu oil, Isopropyl Alcohol, L-menthol, Propylene glycol, Diazolidinyl urea, Methlyparaben, Triethanolamine

Charlotte’s Web Unscented Hemp Infused Cream

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• Highlights: Charlotte’s Web Unscented Hemp Infused Cream can be used anywhere & has a pleasant, lotiony feel. Perfect for anyone who prefers unscented products.
• Price: $49.99
• Strength: 750 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 2.5 oz tube
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Standard shipping starts at $8.99.
• Independent Test Results: Contact CW Hemp directly.
• Texture & Smell: This CBD topical has a soft, creamy texture that easily absorbs into the skin. There is a very faint, lotiony smell.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp Extract in Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Purified Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shae) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Lactobacillus Ferment (from Cabbage), Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa (Black Cohash) Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate (Palm Oil Derived), Xanthan Gum, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus (Guar) Gum, Sodium Benzoate, and Potassium Sorbate.

Medterra CBD Rapid Cooling Cream

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• Highlights: Medterra CBD Rapid Cooling Cream cools down inflamed muscles while offering fast, effective CBD relief.
• Strength: 300mg per 100ml bottle (also available in 750mg strength)
• Price: $49.99 – $77.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available on orders over $99.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Scent & Texture: This topical instantly cools the skin, and can cause a mild tingling sensation with heavy use. This topical has a pleasant but medicinal scent.
• Ingredients: CBD isolate in Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Stearic Acid (Vegetable Derived), Cetyl Alcohol (Coconut Alcohol/USP), Sodium Hydroxide (Mineral Salt/USP), Vitis Vinifera (Grape Seed) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Inner Fillet) Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Potassium Sorbate (Mineral Salt/USP), Xanthan Gum (Vegetable Derived), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Menthol (Mentha Arvensis)(USP), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Ocimum basilicum (Basil) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Phenoxyethanol.
• Other: Medterra offers a generous 30-day return policy for unsatisfied customers.

PlusCBD Oil Gold Extra Strength Hemp Balm

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• Highlights: Plus CBD Oil Extra Strength Hemp Balm offers powerful topical relief with a peppermint twist, from one of the most well-known CBD brands on the market.
• Strength: 100mg per 1.3 oz jar
• Price: $39.95
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Scent & Texture: This is a thick balm but not overwhelmingly greasy, with a strong, refreshing peppermint scent.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract in Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Tocopherol, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate

Ananda Hemp Spectrum Salve 125

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• Highlights: Ananda Hemp Spectrum Salve 125 has cooling menthol and a smooth, slightly oily texture. Great for targeting sore muscles.
• Price: $23.95
• Strength: 125 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 1 oz jar
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free standard shipping is available, or faster options for an additional fee.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Texture & Smell: This salve has a smooth, slightly oily texture from the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter. It smells of minty essential oils and the other botanical ingredients.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract in Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax, Organic Menthol Crystals, Boswellia Extract Powder, White Willow Bark Extract, Organic Cayenne, Organic Calendula Flowers, Organic Ginger, Arnica Oil, Capsicum Oil, Sunflower Oil, Essential Oils: Wintergreen, Organic Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lavender, and Ginger

Hemp Luxe Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract Balm

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• Highlights: Hemp Luxe Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Balm quickly became one of our favorite CBD topicals with a great scent and offering powerful pain relief.
• Strength: 700mg per 60ml tin (also available in 225mg and 935mg strengths)
• Price: $29.99 – $89.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available on orders over $75.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Scent & Texture: This topical is a little bit greasy but quickly absorbs into the skin. The balm has a wonderful smell, heavy on the rosemary and other herbal notes.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract in Organic Beeswax, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Arnica, Organic Rosemary, German Chamomile, Organic Peppermint, Organic Pine, Organic Clove, Frankincense, Organic Lavender, Sweet Marjoram.

Catskills Comfrey with CBD & Arnica

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• Highlights: Catskills Comfrey with CBD & Arnica offers seed-to-shelf quality at a low cost, with the added anti-inflammatory powers of comfrey and arnica.
• Price: $28.00 – $44.00
• Strength: 200 mg of full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 1 oz jar, also available in a 2 oz, 400mg jar
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Standard shipping starts at $5.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Texture & Smell: This is definitely a thicker ointment, with a sweet, pleasant unique herbal smell. It’d be great for giving light, soothing massage.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp Extract in Coconut Oil, Greek Olive Oil, Comfrey, Arnica, Beeswax

DaCrema Botanicals CBD Healing Salve

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• Highlights: Da Crema Botanicals CBD Healing Salve is very light, with a non-greasy texture that makes this salve easy to apply anytime you need relief of sore muscles or irritation. It consists of a proprietary blend of essential oils including lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus & other botanical ingredients that give it a unique herbal scent.
• Price: $35.00 – $45.00
• Special: Use coupon code MOH for 10% off!
• Strength: 240mg or 360mg (Extra Strength) full spectrum hemp/CBD extract per 1.3 ounce tin
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available on orders over $100.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Texture & Smell: Beeswax, shea butter and natural oils combine to create a smooth, very light texture that is not greasy. Herbal ingredients create a pleasing botanical scent.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp Extract in Beeswax, Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, Essential Oils of Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Spearmint, Marjoram, Basil, and Vetiver

Types of CBD topicals

There are two reasons why people use CBD topicals: skincare, and deep tissue relief. These two types of concerns are ideal for CBD topicals for these three reasons: 

CBD topicals for skincare are perfect for people fighting skin conditions or inflammation.

1. CBD topicals attack the problem at its source; 
2. Most of the cannabinoids from a topical preparation do not enter the bloodstream; 
3. Topicals start working immediately.

CBD topicals for skincare are perfect for people fighting skin conditions or inflammation, or for people whose hands are raw and chapped from excessive hand washing. For these types of issues, a water-based lotion is far superior than a salve. That’s because a salve’s oily residue can stay caked on a person’s problem skin, while a lotion absorbs easily. 

For those looking for relief from aching muscles and joints, CBD topicals are also a popular option. Formulations for these topicals are different, and often contain a secondary ingredient like menthol to help the CBD penetrate deeper into the tissue.

A buying guide for CBD topicals Creams

When shopping for any CBD product, consumers should be skeptical. The CBD industry does not deserve consumers’ trust yet. But there are some things to look for to give you confidence that a CBD brand is looking out for its customers. 

What to look for to know you’re buying a quality CBD topical product: 

1. QR codes on the packaging that link to lab reports are a must;
2. The lab report should test for potency to ensure the same level of CBD as the packaging claims, as well as a full panel of safety tests to ensure the sample is free from pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and etc. 
3. The fewer ingredients the better, but with lotions, this isn’t always possible. Look for lotions that are free of parabens. That’s a good indicator the lotion is a premium product. 

Why topical CBD cream Is a promising option for Arthritis, Inflammation & Joint Pains

You can vape it, take an extract, or swallow a pill … there are so many different ways to take CBD, but some people find CBD is best applied directly to the skin.

We were curious to learn more about why some CBD consumers are choosing topical applications, such as lotions or massage oils, over other forms of this supplement and found a surprising number of ailments it may help.

While CBD oil, a non-psychedelic extract of industrial hemp, seems to offer healing benefits when ingested almost any way, for some types of chronic pain, skin conditions, and other localized problems, topical applications allow users to go right to the source. Topical CBD can also work faster since it doesn’t have to travel through the digestive system first.

Just as with our investigations into whether CBD can help chronic pain and anxiety, we’ve looked at the scientific literature on the topic but also looked at reports from everyday people who’ve benefitted from hemp extract.

‘Therapeutic Potential For Relief Of Arthritis’: Science Examines Topical CBD

There’s a lot of research into the overall benefits of CBD in humans, but when it comes to topical applications most of the studies we found used animals.

In July 2016, a team of 7 researchers from the University of Kentucky published the results of their successful study of CBD for relieving arthritis symptoms in rats in the European Journal of Pain. Scientists artificially induced arthritis in the rats’ knee joints, then studied whether CBD improved their mobility and reduced their pain.

“Transdermal CBD gel significantly reduced joint swelling,” the researchers wrote, noting other indicators of pain, including how the rats positioned the affected joints, which also seemed improved.

“Exploratory behavior was not altered by CBD indicating a limited effect on higher brain function,” they added, further evidence that CBD has few side effects.

“These data indicate that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation without evident side-effects,” the scientists concluded.

Although perhaps less applicable to everyday applications, other animal studies suggest CBD could reduce many different kinds of inflammation. It’s also worth noting that there are already at least two patents on specific formulations of topical CBD. (Reference here and here.)

‘It’s Reasonable To Think Cbd Might Have Benefits’ But More Research Needed

An April 2016 investigation into topical CBD and cannabis by Medical Marijuana, Inc. summed up some other promising research. “The topical application of cannabinoids allows them to be absorbed directly into the affected area for faster and more focused relief.”

“The topical application of cannabinoids allows them to be absorbed directly into the affected area for faster and more focused relief.”

One benefit, the site noted, was that even topical formulations based on psychoactive cannabis are not mind-altering, because they “bind to CB2 receptors near the skin, activating the endocannabinoid system, and are never absorbed into the bloodstream.”

Beyond simple chronic pain issues, “the topical use of a combination of THC and CBD has been reported as effective against the ‘central pain of multiple sclerosis.'” It may also help with skin conditions, including “burns, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, and skin infections.”

But Medical Marijuana, Inc. also admitted “little research has been done into the application of … cannabinoids transdermally.”

Rachael Schultz, a freelance fitness writer, took a more cautious approach to topical CBD in a January 2017 report for Shape magazine. “There’s practically no scientific data to support the idea that a CBD-infused topical cream is any more effective than other topical pain relievers, like Tiger Balm, BenGay, or Icy Hot,” she warned.

Schultz also speculated that other herbal ingredients found in topical CBD creams could be just as, or more effective than the CBD itself. But the experts she consulted admitted CBD is promising, just largely unproven in human-based laboratory testing.

“The pain and stiffness that comes post-workout or from overexertion certainly has a pro-inflammatory component to it, so it’s reasonable to think CBD or other cannabinoids might have benefits, but we have no research to support this yet,” Gregory Gerdeman, a neurophysiologist and cannabinoid expert at Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL., told Schultz.

‘CBD Has Been The Only Thing That Helped’: CBD users tell us why they go topical

When we asked the Redditors of /r/CBD/ about the topical use of CBD, many were quick to praise its benefits.

Dr. Ranga Krishna, a neurologist from Brooklyn, told us he both prescribes and holds a patent in topical CBD because of its incredible promise.

“Topicals are a fantastic option as they’re easily measured in terms of ingredient compositions, and are higher in bioavailability than orally ingested compounds; this being because they are able to skip liver metabolization,” he wrote.

While he hopes “CBD can really shine” through topical application, he added “we are still doing studies in regards to that.” Eventually, he said he hopes to combine it with other topical pain relievers.

Of course, since everybody is different, topical CBD hasn’t worked for everyone.

“I tried for a stubborn chronic pain problem,” wrote pursehook. “It helped a little, but really not enough for that spot and my pain level.”

Instead, pursehook wrote that they returned to other methods of ingesting CBD that seem to help more. And though topical creams didn’t help with chronic pain, they discovered another, unexpected benefit instead. “I was completely skeptical, but it works like a miracle on [menstrual] cramps. Who knew? Amazing.”

But other Redditors were enthusiastic about the benefits of topical CBD products. “CBD has been the only thing that has helped,” wrote onwardtomanagua, who suffers from postherpetic neuralgia, a lingering form of chronic pain that can be caused by shingles.

“I use topical salves because I stopped ingesting cannabis, but they still help my muscles and joints when tense or knotted,” wrote kaizoku.

In a separate discussion posted in February, a Redditor named ValiumKilmer suggested topical CBD can even help with hemorrhoids.

Topical CBD Needs More Research, But Don’t Wait To Try It Yourself

Many people have already experienced the benefits of CBD, but science is clearly still catching up. Unfortunately, that’s not unusual: the medical establishment is also still arguing about whether CBD can benefit epilepsy sufferers despite decades of positive research.

That shouldn’t stop you from giving topical CBD a try if you think it might benefit you.

Even Rachael Schultz, Shape’s skeptical CBD investigator, admitted “Science hasn’t confirmed creams with CBD will have any greater benefit than those without, but there’s little-to-no risk in trying it out.”

As with all CBD products, it’s important to investigate your source and make sure they have a proven track record of offering reliable supplements. Whether you have chronic pain, post-workout soreness, or just want better skin, we hope you’ll give hemp and CBD a try.

Leif Hayman and Paul James contributed to this guide.

The post Best CBD Cream For Pain: Reviews & Buying Guide appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

• Introduction: Can you vape CBD oil?
• Why Is Vaping CBD Oil Popular?
• Equipment for Vaping CBD
• Potential Health Concerns In CBD Vapes
• Alternatives To Vaping CBD
• Is Vaping CBD Worth The Health Risks?

Vaping CBD is one of the easiest methods available to consume this beneficial supplement.

For many people with chronic pain or other conditions treated with CBD, vaping provides convenient and quick relief. However, getting started can be a daunting task for inexperienced vapers. With so many CBD brands to buy from, is that disposable pen vape at the gas station down the street really the best option? Probably not.

Many stores take advantage of new vapers’ lack of knowledge. Newcomers buy overpriced equipment or, worse, a dangerous or counterfeit product. It is important to acquire a basic understanding of vaping and the components involved before making your first purchase.

We’ll also discuss some of the health concerns around vaping, so you can make a more informed decision about whether this is the right way for you to take CBD. In recent months, some serious injuries and even a handful of deaths from vaping were reported, and we explain what is, and isn’t known about that below too.

Can you vape CBD?

You’ve probably seen CBD popping up all over, and getting added to almost everything. So it’s natural to wonder if you can vape CBD.

The short answer is yes, you can vape CBD. However, you need both special equipment and a special form of CBD vape juice in order to do so safely. Just like people vaping nicotine products use special vape juice, you’ll need CBD oil in a similar specialized form to properly inhale the vapor.

In this article, we look at different equipment you might use to vape CBD. Remember, always buy from a reputable brand. Many of our Top CBD Brands offer CBD vape products in various forms. It’s possible to buy simple, disposable vapes and vape cartridges from these brands. However, the article below will teach you much more about how to vape and whether it’s the right choice for you.

The Benefits Of Vaping CBD

The hemp industry has seen enormous growth in recent years because of its powerful health benefits. Thousands of testimonials and some scientific studies report CBD offers healing for all sorts of mental and physical health conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy. You can experience the benefits of CBD through a variety of consumption methods, including eating it, taking it under the tongue, applying it to the skin and more. However, vaping allows for fast absorption and an overall relaxing, efficient CBD experience.

However, many people find inhaling CBD vape oil is their preferred method. Here are some of the benefits of vaping CBD:

Vaping CBD Means Fast Absorption

If you are looking for immediate relief, vaping CBD might be your best option.

CBD vape oil has a faster absorption rate than other forms of CBD, like edibles and oils. This is because the CBD reaches your bloodstream through your lungs rather than having to go through your digestive system. It’s common for the medicinal effects of CBD vape oil to be felt immediately, or within a few minutes. The fast absorption rate makes vape oil a favorable solution for those who suffer from anxiety attacks, short-term stress and pain flare-ups.

It’s possible that inhaling CBD can have higher bioavailability when compared to other consumption methods, meaning more of the compound is absorbed into the body. In a study that compared the bioavailability of psychoactive cannabis among various consumption methods, results showed that inhalation of THC had an availability of 18 percent, and eating a THC cookie provided a six percent availability. While this study analyzed the bioavailability of THC, the results should be somewhat comparable to the bioavailability of CBD. The two compounds have some similarities in how they are absorbed by the body.

High Purity, Fewer Ingredients

Many CBD products on the market include other natural ingredients to enhance the health benefits, but some consumers may want to stick to just the CBD.

Vape oils typically offer CBD in its purest form. You can expect only a small handful of ingredients in a premium CBD vape oil. Most are usually 100 percent pure CBD extract, plus vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). These two ingredients bind the vape oil and produce the clouds commonly associated with vaping. Pure CBD vape oils may also contain a flavoring component. This is one of the major benefits of vaping CBD if you want a pure and potent supplement without fewer added ingredients.

Unlike other vape products on the market, pure CBD vape oils do not contain nicotine or any other addictive chemicals. CBD itself is non-addictive, and it is not linked with severe side effects or overdose. CBD is generally regarded as safe, and many say it adds significant value to their health.

Vaping CBD Offers Customizing Dosing

Some CBD products, including gummies and capsules, contain a pre-measured dose of CBD. CBD vape oil offers another way to completely customize your dosing. With a few simple calculations, you can determine exactly how much vape oil to add and inhale to consume the amount you want.

You can also purchase your CBD vape oil in various potency levels, from as low as 25mg per bottle all the way up to 4,000mg per bottle. If you are vaping CBD simply for a mild calming effect, you can elect for a small dose. Those who are using CBD to treat moderate or severe health conditions may choose a strong, high-potency dose. Vaping CBD is also a good option if you want to take varying doses of CBD depending on the day.

Vaping CBD Is Relaxing

Many people consume CBD purely for the relaxation benefits. One could argue that vaping is perhaps the most relaxing way to take CBD, as it produces soft, pleasant clouds that gently seep into your breath and lungs to promote calmness. CBD vape oil is often enhanced with delicious flavors, making the taste and smell very enjoyable.

CBD vapers can take a few puffs to escape from daytime stress or vape before bed to help relax into a state of rest. The mellow experience of vaping combines with the natural tranquility of CBD to create deep relaxation.

It’s not uncommon for people to take CBD while in public or at work. While CBD is safe to use virtually anytime and anywhere, some may feel insecure about taking a capsule or drops of oil with others watching. Vaping CBD is a discreet way of taking your CBD dose on-the-go without pulling out a tincture or bottle. No one will know you are taking CBD unless you tell them since CBD vape oil doesn’t have a distinct smell or look. You can seamlessly incorporate CBD into your daily vaping routine without notice.

When it comes to choosing a CBD consumption method, there is no right or wrong answer. No matter how you choose to take it, you will likely benefit from its therapeutic qualities. The benefits of vaping CBD are clear if you want fast relaxation and convenience.

Why Is Vaping CBD Popular?

Many users describe an almost instantaneous effect when they first vape CBD.

Edible forms can take more than 30 minutes to digest and enter the user’s bloodstream. For people using CBD to treat seizures, chronic pain, anxiety, or other similar ailments, waiting isn’t always an option.

Vaping works so quickly because it’s one of the most bioavailable ways to take CBD. We explained more about bioavailability and CBD in this brief video:

Vaping also allows users the ability to remain discreet and consume CBD in public. With a tank or a vape pen, a dose is never further away than your pants.

An Introduction To Vaping CBD: Know Your Equipment

Not every vape is the same, but they all have four basic components: a battery, a heating element (also known as an atomizer), a mouthpiece, and a chamber to hold the material to be vaped. The heating element vaporizes whatever material it comes in contact within the chamber and the user inhales the vapor through the mouthpiece.

From here there are two distinct styles of vapes that we are concerned with for vaping CBD. The most common style of vape you’ll see is a “tank style” vape, where a battery heats up a small disposable cartridge or a refillable container. The other kind is a pen-style vape, typically used for concentrates like CBD isolate.

Tank-style vapes and CBD

The tank style of vape is the kind that produces the famous billowing clouds associated with vaping. These are known as “tank style” vapes. Tanks require e-liquid, a mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings and CBD. The heating coil inside is filled or wrapped with cotton, nylon or silica wick to absorb the e-liquid into the coils.

When it comes to tank style vapes, there are yet another two variations: disposable and refillable. Disposable vapes (also known as “cartomizers” because they use prefilled, disposable cartridges) are convenient and easy to find. However, some are made with cheaper materials and are of questionable quality. If used improperly, the coil and wick can burn up, leaving the entire system useless. With a refillable vape, users add their own e-liquid to and the heating coils are often replaceable.

With disposable vapes, users have little control over the metal used in the coil, flavors used in the e-liquid, the quality of the CBD or the base chemicals used in the e-liquid.

There are also more complex, rebuildable vapes for advanced users who want to control every aspect of the vape hardware. However, these require a higher level of knowledge than the average user possesses or is willing to invest.

Pen style vaping and CBD concentrates

Pen-style vapes make it easy to vape concentrates. It consists of a chamber with a metal heating coil in the bottom that vaporizes concentrated CBD isolate placed directly on the coils.

The problem with vape pens is that the coil must be replaced periodically when it burns out and each one costs upwards of $20.

What’s more, as the heating coil slowly breaks down and oxidizes through repeated use, metal nanoparticles can potentially become aerosolized in the vapor being inhaled. Coil life can be extended by only using pure CBD isolates in the pen. Flavor additives and impure CBD leaves residue on the coil and speeds up oxidation.

Pens vs. tanks

For tobacco smokers, a refillable tank is the most common style of vape. Therefore, it may be easy to add CBD to your tank or try a CBD e-juice. Disposable cartridges, though somewhat wasteful, offer an easy and mess-free way to get started.

Meanwhile, a refillable pen style vape that uses CBD concentrates instead of e-liquid is the best option if you want an absolutely pure CBD experience. Online vendors often sell pens as all-in-one kits. Replacement atomizers can be purchased online. Pens allow the user more control over the materials in the vape and what chemicals you consume.

The main drawback to using CBD e-liquid in a tank or cart, over pure concentrates, is the maximum dissolution rate. The most CBD that e-liquid can hold is about 33mg/ml, without the addition of harsh chemicals. This means that to achieve a typical dose, you need to take many more puffs to ingest the same amount of CBD as you’d get from a pen.

Potential Health Concerns of Vaping CBD

A small percentage of users are allergic or later develop allergies to some of the chemicals and materials used in vapes. Some studies found negligible amounts of metal particulate and other dangerous contaminants, such as lead and cadmium, in commercially available vapes. There have also been a handful of reports of serious injuries, and even death from vaping.

This is why it is so important to be informed before pursuing vaping, to avoid any potential allergens or contaminants. As technologies and regulations continue to evolve, these risks will become better understood and easier to mitigate. We’ll go into more about what we know about each of these risks below.

We need to stress, as always, that we’re not doctors or medical experts. You should consult the latest research and, when in doubt, talk to your doctor.

Vitamin E acetate and reports of death and lung damage from vaping

Reports of serious lung damage and even deaths of vape users emerged during the summer of 2019. It appears a single culprit was responsible for most or all of these issues: vitamin E acetate.

It’s important to note that vitamin E is a common ingredient in skin care products, supplements, and other everyday wellness products. It’s very safe in this form. However, it appears the same isn’t true for vaping.

Reports indicate that some vape users suffered serious, lasting effects including lung damage. Even more tragically, some deaths resulted from the vaping crisis. 

It appears vitamin E acetate caused most or all of the harm suffered by vaping users. Some journalists also reported harm caused by certain terpene-based additives.

While initial reports were confusing, it appears that all the victims bought black market psychoactive cannabis (THC) vape cartridges. Leafly’s David Downs compared the situation to alcohol prohibition, when “drinkers had to worry about getting sick and dying from ‘bathtub gin.’” Total legalization will make people safer.

While we understand why some people choose to buy cannabis on the black market, whether for medical or recreational purposes, we can only recommend avoiding black market vape cartridges until further notice.

Even though CBD products weren’t ultimately involved in this, consumers should proceed with caution. Remember that CBD is unregulated. There’s no government agency approving the ingredients of each product. Always make sure you choose brands carefully, reviewing ingredients lists and always check for third-party lab results.

Could Metals Pose A Health Risk When Vaping CBD?

With pen-style, concentrate vapes, the main material of concern is the heating coil. These are typically made from titanium, stainless steel, Kanthal (an alloy of iron, chromium and aluminum), nickel-chromium alloy or pure nickel wire. Most commercially available vapes use Kanthal, grade 1 titanium or stainless steel.

According to a study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, researchers found that e-cig users “overall exposure to metals from electronic cigarette use is not expected to be of significant health concern for smokers switching to electronic cigarette use, but is an unnecessary source of exposure for never-smokers.”

While the levels of metals measured in the aerosolized vapors were well below recommended exposure levels, vapers are still consuming metal nanoparticles that they wouldn’t otherwise be consuming. It is important to research what materials are in any vape you plan to purchase. You also have to buy it from a reputable source. A lot of vendors sell knock-off vape hardware manufactured from inferior materials.

Alternatives coils could still pose a risk

The study states that choosing a vape made from stainless steel and borosilicate glass could eliminate certain contaminants. Vape makers typically list the materials materials used in their products online and on the box. Using a vape with cotton or quartz wick and a titanium, stainless steel or Kanthal heating coil is probably safest. With nickel compounds designated as carcinogens and 10%-20% of the population sensitive to nickel, nickel and nickel-chromium coils should be avoided entirely.

As metal wire is heated and cooled repeatedly, an outer layer of metal oxide forms. When liquid comes in contact with the coils, the oxidized layer of metal nanoparticles can contaminate the vapor. These particles then travel into the user’s lungs. If you want to eliminate these contaminants entirely, skip ahead to the section on alternatives to vaping. If you still intend to vape, you should know a little bit more about oxidation and wire.

The main oxide on titanium wire is titanium dioxide. This compound is commonly used in beauty products. Researchers found it caused DNA damage in mice. Kanthal and stainless steel wire both produce chromium oxides and ions, but the carcinogenic chromium ion, chromium VI, wasn’t found in aerosolized vapor.

Nowadays, many vapes are marketed as having quartz or ceramic heating elements. However, many still have exposed wire wrapped around a ceramic or quartz core. Vapes like this are still going to leech metal contaminants into the inhaled vapor.

Potential Allergens In CBD Vape Oil

The main two chemicals in CBD e-liquid are propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Users with sensitivities to either of these chemicals will notice sinus irritation, nausea or a headache upon use. Individuals with more severe allergies can break out in hives, develop swelling or have difficulty breathing. Luckily, both chemicals are so ubiquitous that many people are already aware of allergies.

Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are common ingredients in smoke machine vapor, cosmetics, hair products, food, drinks, cigarettes, medicine and many more products. Vegetable glycerin allergy is very rare. Most reactions are likely caused by an allergy to the plant oil the vegetable glycerin was derived from. Propylene glycol allergies on the other hand are much more common, but entirely avoidable.

While pure vegetable glycerin liquids are available, it doesn’t readily absorb into the wicking of most vapes. Pure vegetable glycerin juice requires advanced equipment called a rebuildable atomizer, or RBA, which is outside the scope of this introduction. As well, pure vegetable glycerin is difficult to use with CBD. Cannabidiol tends to precipitate out of the liquid into crystals. Polyethylene glycol, added to the vegetable glycerin, allows more CBD to dissolve into the liquid; however, it is extremely bitter and harsh.

Alternatives To Vaping CBD

This article is mainly concerned with vaping and making it as safe as possible for new users. Still, there are many alternative methods for consuming CBD.

1. Dabbing Or Smoking Hemp Flower

If you need quick relief, you can smoke high-CBD hemp strains. Concentrated CBD isolates or high-CBD kief can be vaporized out of a more traditional water pipe. The disadvantage to this is it is impossible to do in public without looking like a “drug user.”

It’s increasingly easy to buy smokable hemp flowers. You can find both pre-rolled hemp cigarettes and joints, or loose hemp buds for smoking in a pipe. While hemp flower won’t make you “feel high,” it can be a quick and effective way to ingest a potent dose of CBD and immediately feel its effects. You can even use hemp flower to make DIY CBD oil.

You can also take CBD through a process known as dabbing. First, a quartz dish is attached to the stem of a glass water pipe. Then, the dish gets heated up, usually with a blowtorch or heating coil. The heat vaporizes CBD isolate in the quartz dish for the user to inhale. This form of consumption is vastly healthier. The only chemical that CBD vapor can be contaminated with is water. Additionally, quartz is an inert and durable material.

2. Skip the vape and eat your CBD

If you don’t mind waiting or need external relief, edibles, capsules, and topical creams provide a great alternative. Of course, CBD drops or tinctures are also easy to take and relatively fast-acting. You can easily add CBD to almost anything that people consume.

3. CBD inhalers

A few brands now actually offer CBD inhalers. These look almost identical to an asthma inhaler. Similarly, you may feel immediate effects from this kind of CBD. These factors make inhalers an appealing, relatively discreet alternative to vaping CBD.

Is Vaping CBD Worth The Health Risks?

Non-smokers interested in vaping CBD should be relatively cautious about the health risks. At the same time, exposure to contaminants is less compared to traditional forms of smoking. Short-term and mid-term studies on the health effects of vaping show no significant side effects in smokers.

Whether or not vaping is right for you, CBD is always an option. Now that you know more about vaping, you can make a more informed decision. Still, it’s important to continue doing more research. Read product reviews, watch YouTube videos, read Reddit posts, and search for more information before you buy anything. If you can’t find any information on a product, that is a huge red flag! Don’t buy it!

Scientists continue to study the long-term effects of vaping. While we wait for their research and for regulations to catch up with new technology, vaping poses some health risks. The technology is too new to say definitively that it’s completely safe with total certainty.

We’ll continue to monitor reports of health risks and new developments in vaping technology, and we’ll keep this article updated accordingly.

Jessica St. Cyr and Kit O’Connell contributed reporting to this article.

The post Vaping CBD 101: Benefits, Side Effects & How to Vape CBD Oil appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Though this supplement is available in many forms, more and more people are discovering the benefits of vaping CBD oil.

The hemp industry has seen enormous growth in recent years because of its powerful health benefits. Thousands of testimonials and some scientific studies report CBD offers healing for all sorts of mental and physical health conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy. You can experience the benefits of CBD through a variety of consumption methods, including eating it, taking it under the tongue, applying it to the skin and more. However, vaping allows for fast absorption and an overall relaxing, efficient CBD experience.

However, many people find inhaling CBD vape oil is their preferred method. Here are some of the benefits of vaping CBD:

Vaping CBD Means Fast Absorption

If you are looking for immediate relief, vaping CBD might be your best option.

CBD vape oil has a faster absorption rate than other forms of CBD, like edibles and oils. This is because the CBD reaches your bloodstream through your lungs rather than having to go through your digestive system. It’s common for the medicinal effects of CBD vape oil to be felt immediately, or within a few minutes. The fast absorption rate makes vape oil a favorable solution for those who suffer from anxiety attacks, short-term stress and pain flare-ups.

It’s possible that inhaling CBD can have higher bioavailability when compared to other consumption methods, meaning more of the compound is absorbed into the body. In a study that compared the bioavailability of psychoactive cannabis among various consumption methods, results showed that inhalation of THC had an availability of 18 percent and eating a THC cookie provided a six percent availability. While this study analyzed the bioavailability of THC, the results should be somewhat comparable to the bioavailability of CBD. The two compounds have some similarity in how they are absorbed by the body.

High Purity, Fewer Ingredients

Many CBD products on the market include other natural ingredients to enhance the health benefits, but some consumers may want to stick to just the CBD.

Vape oils typically offer CBD in its purest form. You can expect only a small handful of ingredients in a premium CBD vape oil. Most are usually 100 percent pure CBD extract, plus vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). These two ingredients bind the vape oil and produce the clouds commonly associated with vaping. Pure CBD vape oils may also contain a flavoring component. This is one of the major benefits of vaping CBD if you want a pure and potent supplement without fewer added ingredients.

Unlike other vape products on the market, pure CBD vape oils do not contain nicotine, or any other addictive chemicals. CBD itself is non-addictive, and it is not linked with severe side effects or overdose. CBD is generally regarded as safe, and many say it adds significant value to their health.

Vaping CBD Offers Customizing Dosing

Some CBD products, including gummies and capsules, contain a pre-measured dose of CBD. CBD vape oil offers another way to completely customize your dosing. With a few simple calculations, you can determine exactly how much vape oil to add and inhale to consume the amount you want.

You can also purchase your CBD vape oil in various potency levels, from as low as 25mg per bottle all the way up to 4,000mg per bottle. If you are vaping CBD simply for a mild calming effect, you can elect for a small dose. Those who are using CBD to treat moderate or severe health conditions may choose a strong, high-potency dose. Vaping CBD is also a good option if you want to take varying doses of CBD depending on the day.

Vaping CBD Is Relaxing

Many people consume CBD purely for the relaxation benefits. One could argue that vaping is perhaps the most relaxing way to take CBD, as it produces soft, pleasant clouds that gently seep into your breath and lungs to promote calmness. CBD vape oil is often enhanced with delicious flavors, making the taste and smell very enjoyable.

CBD vapers can take a few puffs to escape from daytime stress or vape before bed to help relax into a state of rest. The mellow experience of vaping combines with the natural tranquility of CBD to create deep relaxation.

It’s not uncommon for people to take CBD while in public or at work. While CBD is safe to use virtually anytime and anywhere, some may feel insecure about taking a capsule or drops of oil with others watching. Vaping CBD is a discreet way of taking your CBD dose on-the-go without pulling out a tincture or bottle. No one will know you are taking CBD unless you tell them since CBD vape oil doesn’t have a distinct smell or look. You can seamlessly incorporate CBD into your daily vaping routine without notice.

When it comes to choosing a CBD consumption method, there is no right or wrong answer. No matter how you choose to take it, you will likely benefit from its therapeutic qualities. The benefits of vaping CBD are clear if you want fast relaxation and convenience.

Want to learn more about CBD vaping? Check out Ministry of Hemp’s article on Vaping CBD 101.

The post The Benefits Of Vaping CBD: Fast, Better Bioavailability & Convenient appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

This explosion of interest happened for good reason. Whether for skin conditions or pain in muscles and joints, CBD topicals work, according to anecdotal reports of consumers who swear by them. How did CBD creams, lotions, and salves suddenly become the next must-have hemp-derived cannabinoid product? It didn’t happen overnight. 

Topically applied cannabis products have a very long history. Understanding that history can help a consumer become better informed as to what products might be right for them.

A brief history of CBD topicals

In the ancient Near East, cannabis-infused topicals like myrrh were popular for centuries. But these products did not make it into modern Europe, and over time the knowledge of their value was lost. 

The rediscovery of cannabis topicals began in 2003 in Nova Scotia, Canada. That’s where an engineer named Rick Simpson gave the world Rick Simpson Oil. Also called RSO for short, it’s a topical preparation made from full strength cannabis with high levels of THC. 

Rick Simpson wasn’t the first person to apply cannabis topically, but he soon became the face of it for the contemporary western world. From his work making RSO, a rush of imitation topicals flooded the medical marijuana market in states where that is legal. 

When the Farm Bill passed in 2014, that led to a rush of CBD topical products across America. The first round of CBD topical products were salves and balms. They were oil based, blended with bees wax, and they left a greasy residue after use. These CBD salves had their supporters. But they weren’t good enough. 

A few years later, when it became clear that the 2018 Farm Bill was going to legalize hemp for good, the CBD market took another leap forwards with lotion made from CBD isolate. You have likely heard that products made from CBD isolate are not as effective as full spectrum CBD. And that is true, according to research conducted in Israel. But CBD lotion made from CBD isolate was a step in the right direction. 

Full spectrum CBD lotion— the truest expression of CBD topicals — took some time to develop. It didn’t happen overnight. It took patience and timing to emulsify full spectrum hemp distillate into a water-based lotion. Once this process has been mastered, like we did at Cornbread Hemp, then CBD lotions become elevated even further. 

Types of CBD topical

There are two reasons why people use CBD topicals: skincare, and deep tissue relief. These two types of concerns are ideal for CBD topicals for these three reasons: 

CBD topicals for skincare are perfect for people fighting skin conditions or inflammation.

1. CBD topicals attack the problem at its source; 
2. Most of the cannabinoids from a topical preparation do not enter the bloodstream; 
3. Topicals start working immediately.

CBD topicals for skincare are perfect for people fighting skin conditions or inflammation, or for people whose hands are raw and chapped from excessive hand washing. For these types of issues, a water-based lotion is far superior than a salve. That’s because a salve’s oily residue can stay caked on a person’s problem skin, while a lotion absorbs easily. 

For those looking for relief from aching muscles and joints, CBD topicals are also a popular option. Formulations for these topicals are different, and often contain a secondary ingredient like menthol to help the CBD penetrate deeper into the tissue.

A buying guide for CBD topicals

When shopping for any CBD product, consumers should be skeptical. The CBD industry does not deserve consumers’ trust yet. But there are some things to look for to give you confidence that a CBD brand is looking out for its customers. 

What to look for to know you’re buying a quality CBD topical product: 

1. QR codes on the packaging that link to lab reports are a must;
2. The lab report should test for potency to ensure the same level of CBD as the packaging clams, as well as a full panel of safety tests to ensure the sample is free from pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and etc. 
3. The fewer ingredients the better, but with lotions this isn’t always possible. Look for lotions that are free of parabens. That’s a good indicator the lotion is a premium product. 

Why we love Kentucky hemp in our topicals

What state grows the best hemp in America? The same place that has grown America’s best hemp since 1775 — Kentucky. For nearly 250 years, hemp has grown in Kentucky when it was legal, and even when it wasn’t. Hemp has been growing naturally in Kentucky for a very long time, and for good reason. 

What makes Kentucky so special as a hemp-producing state? It’s grown with the same water that makes Kentucky bourbon the best whiskey on Earth, and from the same soil that makes Kentucky racehorses the fastest in the world. And by sitting on the 37th parallel — the same line of latitude that runs through the Hindu Kush mountains — Kentucky receives the perfect light cycles for cannabis plants. 

These factors make Kentucky a perfect micro-climate for cultivating hemp, on par with the hemp grown in Oregon and Colorado, but more sustainable at scale.

That’s why a brand like Cornbread Hemp is an attractive choice for consumers looking for CBD topicals they can trust. Made entirely from hemp grown in Kentucky, and blended into lotions that are paraben-free, Cornbread Hemp’s CBD creams prove they are trustworthy. 

Want to experience Kentucky hemp? Use promo code MOH15 for 15% off at CornbreadHemp.com. We’ll bring you the best hemp products that Kentucky has to offer, right to your doorstep in just a few days. Cornbread Hemp’s CBD lotions are a perfect companion to their USDA certified organic CBD oils, which are also some of the best CBD products on the market. 

The post CBD Topicals: A Closer Look At Topical CBD & Why People Use It appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

In our newest video, we get to know Ministry of Hemp’s Editor in Chief, Kit O’Connell.

Kit O’Connell is an experienced journalist, activist and community organizer with a passion for hemp in all its forms. He has fibromyalgia, an illness which combines chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and other challenging symptoms. Like so many others, he uses THC and CBD to treat fibromyalgia.

In addition to our website, you can find Kit’s writing has appeared in Hemp Magazine, the Texas Observer, Truthout, YES! Magazine, and other publications. He lives in Austin, Texas with his spouse and two cats.

Got questions, feedback or story ideas? You can reach Kit by email at kit@wordpress-559906-1802377.cloudwaysapps.com.

Jessica St. Cyr contributed footage to this video.

The post Kit O’Connell, Editor & Hemp Advocate: Meet Our Editor In Chief (Video) appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

This topical cream can be applied anywhere you are experiencing aches on your body. Designed to relieve soreness and pain, this organic blend of cannabinoids and terpenes is a perfect addition to your wellness routine. For whatever reason you might be experiencing discomfort, Holy Cannacense from Palmetto Harmony might be the topical product you’ve been searching for to reduce physical pain.

Made from USDA organic hemp, this full spectrum topical contains 100mg of cannabinoids. It also smells fantastic. Holy Cannacense is a delightful blend of frankincense, basil, and orange oil.

After applying Holy Cannacense multiple times to different parts of the body, our reviewer found that it consistently absorbed quickly into the skin leaving it soft and comforted. She even found herself applying the salve directly to the forehead to see if it would help reduce a headache. Within a few minutes, the headache disappeared.

Almost as soothing as the immediate effects of this product is its smell. After applying it to the selected area, it left a gentle reminder for hours. There was no bitter or “dank” scent of hemp and instead a very pleasant scent remained behind. 

Palmetto Harmony paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on the Ministry of Hemp.

Born from a mother’s love in South Carolina

In 2015, Janel Ralph founded Palmetto Harmony after searching for a treatment that would improve her daughter Harmony’s quality of life. Harmony was born with a rare genetic condition known as “Smooth Brain,” which produces multitudes of seizures. Doctors considered her condition untreatable, but Harmony found relief through hemp products. 

With her family in mind, Ralph built Palmetto Harmony using high-grade hemp products and quality processing methods. The family-owned South Carolina hemp brand has since expanded its line to 20 different products, including Holy Cannacense.

In 2017, South Carolina passed the Industrial Hemp Farming Act allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp. Palmetto Harmony is now a vertically-integrated hemp supply chain. That means, from planting the hemp to bottling its product, Palmetto Harmony can monitor the entire production process with complete care from beginning to end.

Palmetto Harmony makes their products from truly USDA-certified organic hemp, a rarity in the industry. All products are third-party lab tested by an independent ISO-certified lab for consistency and safety,

Dedicated to transparency Palmetto Harmony only partners with organic and regenerative practices in their farming methods. If you are interested in learning about those methods, tours of their hemp farm and manufacturing facilities in Conway, South Carolina, are available.

Overall, the reviewer enjoyed using the cream and experienced relief on many different parts of her body. From the forehead to the lower back, Holy Cannacense seemed to help fast. We loved how quickly this topical absorbs when applied after a shower, but you can use it any time of day.

Palmetto Harmony Holy Cannacense Official Review

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• Highlights: Palmetto Harmony Holy Cannacense is a shea butter and beeswax base topical that combines holy basil, frankincense, and sweet orange with the power of CBD. The product applies smoothly on the skin, leaving a light scent and promoting rapid relief.
• Strength: 100mg of Cannabinoids in a 2oz jar
• Price: $34.99
• Special Offer: Use code RELIEF20 for 20% off your order!
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Various affordable shipping options available.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Smell and Texture: Strong frankincense smell with lingering orange and basil notes. This topical has a thick, salve consistency but absorbs quickly.
• Ingredients: Organic CBD oil / Full-spectrum Hemp extract in Shea butter, Organic Yellow beeswax, Organic MCT (Coconut-based) oil , Organic frankincense oil, Organic holy basil oil, Organic orange oil

On March 12, 2020, Ministry of Hemp conducted our own lab test of Palmetto Harmony Holy Cannacense using Analytical 360, our trusted lab. Download test results here.

Palmetto Harmony makes their products from USDA-certified organic hemp grown on their farm in Conway, South Carolina. They have over a dozen great CBD products, including multiple topicals. Our Editor loves adding their CBD oil to green tea.

The post Palmetto Harmony Holy Cannacense: Powerful CBD Topical Relief That Smells Great appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike the mind-altering THC, the cannabinoid associated with marijuana, CBD does not have the ability to make a user high. The hemp and CBD industry have seen immense growth over the last decade due to countless studies that suggest cannabidiol may provide various health benefits.

CBD may also help with conditions such as anxiety, pain, inflammation, insomnia, and epilepsy. With thousands of CBD consumers praising its effects and a growing body of scientific evidence in support of its safety, even many medical professionals are now recommending CBD. Although CBD can be taken in many forms, more and more people are choosing CBD vape oil as their preferred form of cannabidiol.

Vaping CBD is easy, allows for fast absorption, and is a relaxing experience.

Table of contents: Why do people vape CBD?

• Vaping CBD offers immediate relief
• Customized dosing with CBD vapes
• CBD is relaxing
• Vaping is discreet

Vaping CBD provides immediate relief

In comparison to cannabidiol oils and gummies, CBD vape oil has a faster absorption rate because the CBD reaches the bloodstream through the lungs instead of having to go through the digestive system. Because of this, it is common for vapers to instantly feel the therapeutic effects of the CBD.

This quick absorption rate is ideal for people that suffer from:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Reoccurring Pain

Some studies also indicate that inhaling CBD can have higher bioavailability as opposed to other methods of consumption.

CBD vape oil allows for customized dosing

Certain CBD products such as gummies and capsules contain pre-measured doses of cannabidiol. CBD vape oil provides a way to customize your dosing to your specific needs. You can add your ideal amount of CBD oil to vape juice and create your own CBD vape juice. Mixing CBD oil with your favorite e-liquid is also a tasty way to enjoy your CBD vaping experience.

CBD vape Oil is also widely available in customized cartridges in a variety of flavors or designed to enhance certain moods. Companies like Medix CBD offer several “mood” cartridges to create the CBD experience you desire. They are available in different dosage amounts as well, so you can always choose how much CBD you want to intake. Medix “Mood” cartridges are also compatible with most vaping devices. Nowadays, vape cartridges are standardized, so you can find a battery you like and use it with almost any brand.

CBD vape oil is relaxing

Nothing beats relaxing after a long productive day of work or play. Whether your ideal way of relaxing is reading, napping, or doing homework, CBD can promote focus and balance through its unique effects on the human body. CBD vapers can take a few puffs to help them concentrate, wind down, or have a good night’s sleep. The choice is yours!

Rather than artificial flavoring, many modern CBD vape cartridges are flavored with terpenes, which are the main building blocks of essential oils found in hemp plants. They contribute to the aroma, flavors, and even the effects of the plant. The terpenes selected in each respective cartridge can help you curate your experience, whether you want to fall asleep or feel energized.

Vaping is convenient & discreet

CBD is now used by millions of people in the United States to help them with health conditions or for preventative care. Although it is common to for people to take CBD while at work or in public, some people feel uncomfortable using capsules and tinctures around other people.

Thanks to the widespread use of e-cigarettes, Vaping CBD is an effective way to use CBD in a discreetly. By not having to carry sublingual tinctures or capsules, you can easily take your dosage of cannabidiol almost anytime and anywhere. Studies have also shown that people who use CBD vape oil are more likely to quit smoking and become less dependent on nicotine.

The verdict: (Almost) everyone should try CBD

There is no wrong method for consuming CBD oil. No matter how you choose to use CBD, almost anyone can benefit from its healing properties. If you are someone that is constantly on the go and wants to focus, relax, or sleep better, the choice is clear. Give CBD a try — and let us know what works best for you!

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

The post CBD Vape Oil For Pain, Anxiety, & More: Why Do People Vape CBD? appeared first on Ministry of Hemp.

A couple things immediately stood out about Social CBD Drops.

What impressed this reviewer most was Social CBD’s transparency. Some companies make it a challenge for consumers to understand what kind of CBD is being used, how much is in the bottle, and what other ingredients are present. Everything is crystal clear about Social CBD Drops, which were made from high-quality, broad spectrum CBD.

The packaging itself really popped. Not only did the teal color draw us in, Social CBD posts the lab details and activation times for the CBD to start working its magic. In a poorly regulated industry, this kind of transparency and care really stands out to us.

For this review, we tried the unflavored Social CBD Drops and that’s exactly what we got. This tincture is a pure, clean oil that has absolutely no taste. While our reviewer focused on these unflavored Social CBD Drops, the Ministry of Hemp team also sampled their lemon ginger drops and CBD vapes. The lemon ginger flavor is light and refreshing, while the Social CBD Relax Lavender Vape Pen tasted extraordinarily good to puff on.

Social CBD paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Read on for more information about Social CBD Drops and to see our full review.

Purity, potency and flavor are a priority

Recognized by Oregon Business Magazine as a 2018 Top 100 Companies to Work For in Oregon, Social CBD is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the CBD world. Social CBD offers unique, great-tasting products while focusing on extremely high standards of purity and potency. All their products undergo stringent lab testing.

In an effort to get another unbiased opinion on the product, our reviewer shared Social CBD Drops with a friend suffering from long-term ankle pain. He reported significant pain relief after taking half a dropper. He told us the CBD started working after about twenty minutes and relief lasted for a few hours. Our only issue with these drops was the dropper. While the dosing measurements are clearly marked, no matter how many times we tried, we couldn’t get the dropper to fill to 100%. The most we were able to get was 50% (between .5-.6ml).

Social CBD Drops Official Review

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• Highlights: Social CBD Drops are a high quality CBD supplement that is great for adding to recipes or for anyone bothered by the taste of other CBD products. 
• Strength: 750mg CBD per 30ml bottle, also available in 375mg and 1500mg strengths
• Price: $40.00 – $1250
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Standard shipping started at $6.00.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor: The unflavored drops were absolutely flavorless, making them a great choice for adding to food and drink or for anyone who doesn’t like the taste of hemp.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Broad Spectrum CBD extract in MCT (Coconut-based) oil.
• Other: Social CBD drops are also available in lavender, peppermint, and lemon ginger flavors. They offer a 20% Veteran’s discount on all products.

Social CBD products are made from high quality Oregon hemp. In addition to Social CBD Drops, they also offer CBD vape pens and pet CBD drops.

DISCOVER THE TOP CBD BRANDS

The market is getting saturated with many different CBD brands. We’ve compared the top brands to help you with your decision. Check it out.

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Based out of Austin, Texas, Canvas 1839 is a hemp brand focused on simple relief without a lot of added extraneous ingredients. Instead, through consultation with their Stanford-trained lead scientist, they focus on creating the purest and most effective supplements possible.

When we discovered Canvas, we immediately became fans — and not just because they’re local to where the Ministry has an office. We were struck by the simplicity and transparency of everything they do, from the elegant packaging made from recyclable materials to the full spectrum hemp extract inside. Their products use just a few ingredients, and this CBD helped us feel relaxed and eased our aches and pains.

Canvas 1839 paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Keep reading to learn the Canvas 1839 story and see our full product breakdown of their Relief Oil.

Canvas creates CBD with ‘only the good stuff’ included

What makes Canvas different is what they leave out of their products.

All Canvas 1839 CBD products are formulated without parabens, phthalates, or other known toxic or irritating ingredients. Canvas supplements are all vegan, with no animal testing used during formulation. Dr. Kyle Hammerick, lead scientist at Canvas, is a Stanford grad who helps create their specially tailored CBD products using the latest research on bioavailability.

They source their hemp directly from farmers in Colorado. They work closely with these farmers to ensure the plants grow in the best soil, from the best possible seeds.

Overall, we love their super simple packaging and overall approach to CBD. Canvas 1839 Relief Oil comes in a recyclable cardboard tube in a sustainable glass bottle. Even the labelling emphasizes the simplicity of these products. Our only small criticism is that there’s no ingredients list on the bottles themselves, but all of that information is easily available online.

Every product is batch tested to ensure each bottle of CBD offers the same strength and purity, and these results are easily available online. Canvas also offers “hassle free” returns, meaning you have 30 days to return the product if you’re unsatisfied for any reason. 

How did Canvas 1839 Relief Oil work for us? Our reviewers tried this CBD over several weeks, enjoying its overall mild, though slightly bitter hempy flavor. We felt near immediate effects when we held this tincture under our tongue to ensure absorption through mucous membranes. We enjoyed relief from minor aches and pains, and found this oil helped us relax while leaving us feeling focused. At 300mg per bottle, this is a great introductory strength CBD oil; we’d love to see stronger formulas from Canvas in the future.

Canvas 1839 Relief Oil Official Review

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• Highlights: Canvas 1839 Relief Oil is a simple, effective way to take CBD with only a few key ingredients, and produced under controlled conditions from organically grown hemp.
• Strength: 300 per 30ml bottl 
• Price: $50
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available on most orders.
• Independent Test Results: Online.
• Flavor & Feel: This is a light CBD oil that doesn’t feel too oily in the mouth. The flavor is mild but hempy, a little sweet and slightly medicinal, with a slight but not overpowering bitter aftertaste.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract in MCT oil with Sunflower Lecithin and Stevia (natural sweetener).
• Other: Canvas 1839 offers a generous 30-day return policy for unsatisfied customers. 

On September 17, 2019, Ministry of Hemp conducted our own lab test of this CBD oil, using a third-party lab. Download test results here.

Canvas 1839 uses Colorado hemp grown under organic conditions. They also make a topical Relief Cream based around the same principles of purity and simplicity.

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The Hemp Luxe team bring decades of experience in the wellness market to creating their CBD products. The creators founded the Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, a local chain of Ohio-based natural grocers. That real world experience is evident in this carefully grafted CBD topical. Our skin smelled great, felt soft and, most importantly, it worked great on muscle aches.

Hemp Luxe paid us a fee and offered us free products in return for our honest opinion. If you purchase a product from one of these links, we’ll receive a percentage of sales. Read more about sponsored content on Ministry of Hemp.

Read on to learn more about Hemp Luxe and see our complete review of this Hemp Extract Balm.

Specialized strains of certified organic, Colorado-grown hemp

Since founding Mustard Seed Market in 1981, the creators of Hemp Luxe have almost 40 years experience selling supplements. As a result, they know how important it is to create CBD products from only the finest raw materials.

All of Hemp Luxe products begin with certified organic hemp grown in Colorado without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or artificial fertilizers. They use only full spectrum hemp extract and every batch is third-party lab tested for purity and strength.

Even the packaging of this supplement is high quality. Hemp Luxe Hemp Extract Balm comes in a round tin with a secure, screw-on top. It’s easy to slip into a pocket or bag for relief on the go. It’s small enough we plan to bring it on an upcoming plane trip.

The scent is strong but not overpowering, warm and wintry, rich with peppermint and other essential oils like frankincense, pine and clove. Added arnica helps the CBD work against inflammation and pain. Our reviewer has fibromyalgia and this topical was great at easing pain and muscle spasms in his neck and shoulders. Even though we have lots of CBD products available to us at the Ministry, he found himself reaching for this balm time and again.

Hemp Luxe Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract Balm Official Review

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• Highlights: Hemp Luxe Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Balm quickly became one of our favorite CBD topicals with a great scent and offering powerful pain relief.
• Strength: 700mg per 60ml tin (also available in 225mg and 935mg strengths)
• Price: $29.99 – $89.99
• Customer Service & Shipping: Fast, friendly customer service. Free shipping available on orders over $75.
• Independent Test Results: Available on request.
• Scent & Texture: This topical is a little bit greasy but quickly absorbs into the skin. The balm has a wonderful smell, heavy on the rosemary and other herbal notes.
• Ingredients: CBD oil / Full Spectrum Hemp extract in Organic Beeswax, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Arnica, Organic Rosemary, German Chamomile, Organic Peppermint, Organic Pine, Organic Clove, Frankincense, Organic Lavender, Sweet Marjoram.

On September 19, 2019, Ministry of Hemp performed our own lab test of this CBD supplement, using a third-party lab. Download test results here.

All Hemp Luxe products begin as organically-grown Colorado hemp. If you prefer a different topical texture, Hemp Luxe also makes a Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract Cream, along with tinctures, softgels and even gummies.

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