What can’t cannabis do? This plant pulls toxins out of the soil, and gives us fibers for fabrics, raw materials for plastic, and flower to get high with. But in my stoned opinion, cannabis topicals are underrated. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of both THC and CBD make this plant a staple in my medicine cabinet.
Cannabis & Athletes
When I sprained my ankle in early 2021, the first thing I reached for was not ibuprofen – it was a salve. When my husband comes home from training for a race, I use a CBD balm to soothe his sore muscles. And when my hip starts spasming, I reach for a warming balm rather than a patch of IcyHot.
Cannabis topicals work locally on the skin, meaning they are not absorbed into your bloodstream (so you won’t get high, even if your topical has THC). Your endocannabinoid system has receptors on every organ in your body – and your skin is the largest organ. When you apply a weed topical, you activate the local ECS receptors in your skin. Cannabis topicals get to work stimulating these receptors, reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and providing a soothing balm for any irritation.
All of these benefits make cannabis topicals a must-have for any athlete. (And let me stress again that topicals won’t get you high. If you want a product that absorbs through the skin, you need a transdermal product that has special ingredients to pass through the skin barrier.)
My husband is an ultra-runner, which means he regularly logs miles that seem outrageous. His longest distance to date is 68 miles and his training runs are usually between 8 and 20 miles. He doesn’t like to load up on pain pills like ibuprofen or Tylenol, but after an intense training session, he needs something to quell his aching muscles.
Enter cannabis topicals.
The Best Cannabis Topical Balms for Athletes & Workout Recovery
Over the last few years, we’ve tried close to a dozen topicals in my house. Some were pleasant yet ineffective while others had offensive odors.
After thorough research (and tons of personal use) I’ve identified five topicals that get the job done. These products are effective in delivering pain relief and reducing inflammation, smell good, and have a nice consistency.
Blooming Botanicals Healing Salve
This healing salve from Blooming Botanicals is my go-to topical balm for any pain or skin irritation. It has natural (pronounceable) ingredients, a great scent, and a generous herbal blend to encourage recovery. With 500 mg of CBD per salve, this is one of the strongest CBD salves on the market. It also has a blend of burdock, calendula, comfrey, eucalyptus, lavender, and tangerine to work alongside the CBD – herbalism at its finest. The blend of botanical extracts creates a calming effect, making it an ideal choice for post-run relaxation. The easy-to-use tin makes it convenient for me or my husband to apply after his grueling runs, ensuring a quick and effective recovery.
Blooming Botanicals is a small family-run company, which means your purchases are truly appreciated. You can save 10% on your order when you use JESS10 at checkout.
Lucy’s Natural Remedies Lucy’s Luck CBD Lavender Salve
Lucy’s Natural Remedies is one of my favorite CBD brands on the market today. This balm is a staple in my medicine bin and was a help to me when I sprained my ankle. I particularly like the shape of the packaging on this one: while most balms come in a traditional circular tin, this one is a roll-on stick, making it easy to apply to hard-to-reach areas.
Lucy’s also boasts a short list of easy-to-say ingredients, including pure lavender oil which delivers pain relief and a touch of aromatherapy. Knowing that it’s crafted with natural ingredients gives me confidence in its effectiveness and safety.
Plus, Lucy’s is a small, women-owned company – not a major corporation so every purchase makes a difference in the lives of real people. You can save 10% on your order when you use CANNABISWRITER at checkout.
Ananda Farms Warming Muscle Rub
Ananda Farms takes a different approach to healing with their Warming Muscle Rub. This balm is designed to provide a gentle warming sensation with all-natural ingredients, including cayenne pepper, ginger, and camphor. Unlike the other balms on this list which give you a gentle cooling sensation, this one heats things up. It’s perfect for tight, tense, or seizing muscles that need to be coaxed back into relaxation.
This balm is made by a woman and veteran-owned company (love) based in Upstate New York (really love) that uses the profits from their CBD company to fund their nonprofit providing dirt therapy for combat veterans (really, really love!) When you buy from Ananda Farms, your purchase makes a difference in the lives of veterans.
This balm also has a short list of natural ingredients, which include cacao butter, beeswax, and coconut oil. But don’t let the silky texture fool you – the cayenne pepper is ACTIVE and you need to wash your hands after applying this. Treat this balm like you would treat a raw cayenne pepper – it’s that strong.
Miraflora Muscle & Joint Relief CBD Balm
Miraflora Muscle & Joint Relief CBD Balm stands out for its strength and effectiveness. This balm has 500 mg of CBD, making it one of the more potent balms on the market. It’s made with a short list of recognizable ingredients, including a few terpenes you may recognize from the pharmacy isles: menthol, arnica, and nerolidol. I’m a big fan of the scent of menthol and just opening this jar makes me feel better.
This particular balm is thick and slow-absorbing, which increases the length of the effects. I relied heavily on this balm when I sprained my ankle, applying it twice a day for over a week. Miraflora uses CBD sourced from a single farm in Boulder Colorado to make this, so you know you’re getting a high-quality CBD extract.
UhHuh Honey Bee Balm
Adding a touch of sweetness to the selection is UhHuh Honey Bee Balm. This balm is made with BeeFused honey, which is a fancy way to say the bees fed on hemp plants and made honey that naturally included CBD. The honey infusion brings its natural antibacterial properties to the mix, potentially aiding in the prevention of minor skin irritations and creating the softest texture. Honey is a historical beauty product and this balm boosts the skin-soothing properties by adding vitamin E as well. The addition of sage, lavender, and eucalyptus creates an earthy, herbal honey smell, which is surprisingly pleasant.
Each of these topical cannabis balms brings its own set of unique qualities to the table. Your choice ultimately depends on personal preferences and your specific needs. Whether it’s the calming effects of lavender, the targeted warmth, or the added sweetness of honey, there’s a perfect fit for every athlete whether you’re recovering from a long dog walk, an intense yoga session, or running 20 miles.
