Will you fail a drugs test if you use cannabis topicals? THC lotion and THC cream effects
Whilst there have been major changes to the way cannabis is perceived for both medicinal and personal use, there is still a range of industries that require their employees to take drugs tests at certain times. For those facing a drugs test who have found out about the benefits of cannabis topicals, this can present a dilemma of whether continuing to use cannabis topicals will cause you to fail a drug screening test.
In this post, we outline what cannabis topicals are, whether using them can lead to you getting high, whether or not you can fail a drugs test, and outline a number of the different ways you can be tested for cannabis and the time period the tests target. We also outline some of our favorite cannabis topicals currently out there on the market.
What are cannabis topicals?
Cannabis topicals are designed to target pain and reduce inflammation and are often made with high CBD content and less than 0.3% THC if they are to be legal in every US state. In recent years, there has been a massive rise in the number of available cannabis-derived products that are available on the market. This, along with widespread changes in perception of cannabis’s medicinal value, has led to a concomitant rise in cannabis topical use even outside of those groups who usually use cannabis.
The term ‘topical’ is used to define products that can be applied to the body’s surface and includes cannabis lotions, ointments, balms, creams, and salves. These treatments are unique in that they are applied directly to the area of the body experiencing pain or inflammation rather than being taken orally. Topicals are not for recreational use and exist solely for medicinal and therapeutic purposes.
The localized application of topicals means they can rapidly target areas experiencing pain and inflammation and are effective whether the pain is mild, chronic, or acute. However, the fact that they are absorbed through the skin has led some people to ask questions about their safety. Being derived from cannabis also inevitably leads some to feel concerned that they might get high by accident and worry that topicals may make you fail a drugs test.
Do Cannabis Topicals get you high?
Although this is a common concern amongst many and hoped for by others, the reality of topicals is that they cannot get you high because they are applied by applying them to your skin. In addition, the majority of lotions contain only Cannabidiol, or CBD, which is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid form within cannabis. As such pure CBD creams, lotions, and balms will not get you high because they do not contain the chemical that makes this experience happen.
Even those topicals that do contain THC, such as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), will not get users high so long as they are applied to the skin. This is because THC only makes users high when it reaches the brain which it cannot do through being applied to the skin. The skin is our body’s protective barrier and is particularly efficient. Just as rubbing pure alcohol into an open wound does not lead to the risk of being over the limit, applying cannabis topicals to the skin will lead to them to enter the bloodstream.
The cannabinoids in topicals work by binding to our skin receptors, nerves, and muscle tissue and will be fully absorbed before they can permeate through our skin and into our bloodstream. With no way to reach our brain, the THC has no way to get us a high.
Can CBD lotion make you fail a drug test?
Despite the fact that most cannabis topicals have little to zero THC, many users do still worry that using these creams may see them test positive on a drugs test as they will often only guarantee that there is ‘’less than 0.3%’ THC content. However, the key thing to remember is that topicals cannot enter your bloodstream through your skin and it is only through entering your bloodstream that you will be testing positive on a blood test, whether that’s through a blood test or a urine test.
Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of some ways in which topicals could accidentally enter into your bloodstream and cause you to test positive on a drugs test. For example, transdermal patches have been shown to reach the bloodstream through the skin as they provide a strong enough dose to reach the capillary vessel. Hair follicle tests can retain trace elements of THC for three months, but these tests often show false positives so are not commonly used.
If you get topical cream in your eyes or mouth, trace amounts of THC could enter your bloodstream inadvertently and lead to a positive reading. This means it is a good idea to use gloves when applying the cream if you are somebody working in an industry where drugs testing is possible or likely as it is easy for cross-contamination to occur otherwise through biting your nails or rubbing your eyes, for example.
So can THC be absorbed through the skin?
Although applying topicals with a low THC content to the skin cannot cause a positive drugs test, transdermal patches or accidental cross-contamination mean it is possible through both accident and design. Therefore, it is always a good idea to practice caution if you do know that you will be coming up against in a drugs test.
What type of tests can be used for cannabis?
Another important thing to understand if you are going to know if you could fail a drugs test is what type of test you will be facing. Different tests target different areas of the body so if you know what sort of test you will be facing you may also be able to put your mind further at rest.
#1 Blood Tests
These tests are one of the most common you might face whether in screening for a job or in a random drugs test. Blood tests measure the amount of cannabis in your blood at the exact time that your blood sample was taken. As topicals cannot enter your blood stream except through cross–contamination (e.g. biting your nails/rubbing your eyes after you have applied your THC lotion or cannabis cream) this sort of test should be of little concern. Even if cannabis is in your bloodstream it can only stay there for 2-7 days and will be at the low end anyway if it is accidentally consumed.
#2 Hair Tests
If you are a cannabis smoke then these tests are one of the most likely to catch you out as marijuana use is detectable in your hair going back as far as 90 days. However, although you rub topicals on to your skin, these tests will not be likely to show positive as they will use hair from your head (or failing that your armpit). Moreover, hair follicle tests detect THC metabolites that have been passively disseminated through the bloodstream and absorbed through the base of hair follicles.
#3 Mouth Swab Tests
This type of cannabis drugs test can only detect recent drug use of no more than 2 days prior. You are most likely to come against this sort of test as an applicant for a job so if you know you will face this type of test and are concerned about using your THC cream, then if you hold off from using it in the days running up to your test, you should be fine.
#4 Urine Tests
This is the drugs test most people will think of and is again most frequently used for pre-employment drug testing. However, it can also be used in random drug tests if you work in such an industry where these are used. Urine tests are able to detect illegal drug use for 3 to 30 days with the length of time dependent on the level of drug use. This means any cross-contamination from topicals is highly unlikely to show up in a urine test and that which is applied to the skin cannot reach as far as your wee!
What are the benefits of cannabis topicals and what is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the chemical compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants with a range of medicinal benefits including: stress relief; assistance dealing with PTSD; improved cardiovascular health; pain relief; improved mood, and; having anti-inflammatory properties. CBD is non-psychoactive and is a perfect topical for people suffering from skin complaints as well as aches and pains.
Cannabis topicals also contain fatty acids, including the omega oils 3,6, and 9, which also gives them excellent healing properties if you have scarring, dry skin, or a painful rash. With topicals able to provide almost instantaneous relief when applied to the skin, CBD products are fast becoming a common treatment for a wide variety of skin conditions as well as aches and pains of the muscles and joints.
What are the best CBD topicals(THC-free) on 2023?
With so many different CBD creams to choose from these days, it can be hard to know where to start if you are new to the world of cannabis topicals and cannabis lotions. Here, we outline some of our favorite CBD topicals for some of the common ailments they are great at dealing with fast.
#1 (THC-free) Best Cannabis Topical CBD Salve: CBDDistillery’s CBDol Topical
If you are looking for a cannabis topical that really penetrates the joints to relieve pain from issues such as arthritis and bursitis, then you will be wowed by this CBD lotion. With rave reviews from people who have tried everything to relieve pains in their joints to little avail before finding this, this pain relieving and anti-inflammatory salve is a must have for people suffering from a deep-seated joint pain.
Other pluses about this cannabis salve are that: it is sold at a competitive price; it contains a whopping 500mg of CBD per container; it is derived from US grown hemp which is non-GMO, and; it is blended with coconut oil (amongst other pleasantly scented oils) which helps it to absorb quicker and act faster. The downsides of this cream are that it is not certified organic, it feels a little bit grainy, and it can stain white clothing if you’re not careful on application.
#CBD_Salve #Arthritis_Cream #Joint_Cream #Pain_Relieving_Cream #CBD_Topical
#2 (THC-free) Best Alternative to Cannabis Topicals: cbdMD’s CBD Bath Bomb
If you hate the way creams feel on your skin but want to experience the benefits you get from cannabis topicals applied to your skin, then these bath bombs are a great alternative. Each bomb contains a potent 100mg of premium quality CBD and a range of other beneficial cannabinoids. After half an hour of relaxation in the bath, you’ll really feel the benefits CBD has on irritable skin or any aches and pains in your muscles and joints.
Other good things about this bath bomb are that: it is 100 % organic, vegan, and non-GMO; it is also full of terpenes, amino acids and other essential oils that truly nourish your skin; it smells delicious, and; it is already filled with the perfect does for full relaxation. The downside of a bath bomb is that once it’s gone it’s gone!
#CBD_Bath_Bomb #CBD #Organic_CBD #Terpenes #Non_GMO
#3 Best Cannabis Topical for Circulation: Kat’s Naturals’ CBD Capsaicin Cream
katsnaturals.com/product/capsicum-heat-cream/
The inclusion of capsaicin in this cannabis lotion makes it act fast to relieve pain and also helps to improve circulation helping relief pains associated with diabetes and a variety of neurological issues. Capsaicin is actually derived from chilies and the part of it which makes your mouth set on fire but when it is applied to the skin it blocks pain messages being sent to your nerves and is somewhat surprisingly great at reducing itchiness caused by dry skin and psoriasis.
Other good things about this cream are that: it is made from certified organic hemp grown in America; it is made using CO2 extraction; is a fast-acting anti-inflammatory; is great used as a massage cream thanks to the inclusion of avocado butter and olive oil in the blend, and; it is third-party tested so you can be sure of the purity of the 350mg CBD content. It is also guaranteed to be drug test safe!
#Drug_Test_Safe_Topicals #CBD #CBD_Topicals #Capaicin_Cream #Cannabis_Topicals
#4 Best Cannabis Topical for Muscle Relief: FABCBD’s CBD Topical Cream
fabcbd.com/products/topical-cbd-cream/
This multi-purpose cannabis topical from FABCBD really lives up to the name and can be used for a wide range of purposes with impressive results. Not only does it promote skin health thanks to the presence of vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals, truly nourish and moisturize your skin. With an impressive 600mg of CBD in each pot, this cream works particularly well to relieve muscle pains brought on by intense exercise and speeds up recovery time by helping you relax.
The other benefits of this particular cannabis topical are that: it is not made with any dyes or additives; it includes full—spectrum and whole plant extracts; it is stronger than most topicals out there on the market so is also good for acute pain, and; it doesn’t leave a greasy feel on the skin after you use it. The downside of this topical is that it is not organic and is a bit pricier than other topicals, although the high CBD content means it is worth it.
#CBD_Cream #Muscle_Cream #Skin_Cream #Moisturizer #Pain_Relief #CBD_Topical
#5 Best Cannabis Topicals Balm for Migraines: Lazarus Naturals’ CBD Balm
www.lazarusnaturals.com/shop/topicals/lavender-cbd-balm
This full spectrum CBD balm is a great choice for people suffering pain in delicate areas and a fast-acting way to target headaches and intense migraines. The relaxing lavender scent helps you to feel relaxed even with a throbbing head and will soon have your headache or migraine under control. This company provides big discounts to regular sufferers of certain conditions so if you suffer from chronic pain or anxiety issues it is worth checking out all of their CBD products.
Other positives about this balm are that: each ½ teaspoon contains 50mg of CBD for topical use which is fast acting and strong; it is non-GMO and made in the USA; it is also blended with coconut oil and beeswax which helps with rapid absorption and makes it suitable for use on sensitive areas. The downside of this product is that it can make you more sensitive to certain medicines so you should consult a doctor if you are using medication.
#CBD #CBD_Balm #Non_GMO #CBD_Topicals #Cannabis_Topicals
#6 Best Cannabis Topical for Back Pain: Receptra’s Targeted topical
receptranaturals.com/product/targeted-topical1-oz/
More and more work leads us to be sat at a desk all day and no matter how good the chair or how perfectly we adjust the height of our screen to, back pain is likely something we will all face at some point in our lives when we work at a desk day in and day out. This excellent topical is designed to target specific areas of pain and is particularly effective when applied regularly to the lower back. This is because it is designed to relax muscles, reduce pain and minimize inflammation.
Other major pros about this cannabis topical are that: it smells great; it is packed full of 400mg of CBD which makes it fast acting; it is a great value product and cheaper than many comparable topicals on the market, and; it is effective at targeting any aches and pains located in your muscles and joints. The downside of this topical is that it is not organic, and it is not as fast acting as some other topicals on this list so needs to be used regularly for best effects.
#CBD #Topicals #Cannabis #Cannabis_Topicals #CBD_Topicals
#7 Best Cannabis Topicals for Lips: Ambary Gardens’ Lip Repair
ambarygardens.com/product/lip-fix/
Normally using a chapstick provides only brief relief before we find ourselves reaching for it again and it seems that the more we use it the more reliant on them we become. These innovative new lip balm sticks with CBD have a much longer lasting effect thanks to the fatty acids and anti-inflammatory effects which serve to soothe and heal dry lips. This is a great product that will really wow you in terms of its fast acting effects.
Other pros about this cannabis topical balm are that: it was mixed with beeswax, argan oil and coconut oil so it is similar to normal lip balms but with the added benefit of CBD; it is great value and contains a not insignificant 5mg of CBD, and; their CBD is third-party tested so you can be sure of its potency and quality.
Conclusion
In recent years there have been major strides in understanding around the benefits of cannabis and products derived from cannabis. CBD, in particular, has been highlighted and praised for the wide range of benefits it brings from anxiety to pain relief. The good news is that CBD topicals are highly unlikely to lead to you failing a drugs test and some of those on this list guarantee it. However, if in doubt, you should always err on the side of caution.