How to Use Cannabis Concentrate

You can inhale, eat, and drink cannabis, and feel the intoxicating effects of the THC it contains. Can the same thing happen when you apply THC-infused product to your skin? You may be surprised to learn the answer.

Most cannabis topical products do not cause intoxicating effects. That’s because most topicals have a localized effect, which means you’ll feel them where you apply them on your body. It’s only when cannabis is systemic, or the phytocannabinoids enter your bloodstream and make their way throughout your body, that you’ll feel the intoxicating effects of THC.

In most cases, cannabis topicals are localized, mainly intended to help soothe irritated skin or used in conjunction with other systemic cannabis products, like vape cartridges or capsules, to help manage acute pain spikes.

There’s one significant exception, however, and that’s transdermal products. Transdermal products work differently than other cannabis topicals. These products penetrate your skin and enter your bloodstream, so you feel the systemic effects of THC and other phytocannabinoids just like you would if you inhaled your cannabis. Transdermal products are used for their slow and consistent release of phytocannabinoids, providing long-term relief for patients with chronic pain and other conditions. Transdermal patches that contain THC can, indeed, make you feel high.

Before you apply that lotion, make sure you know if it has transdermal effects!

Learn more about cannabis topicals here.

Learn more about transdermal products here.

Topical vs Transdermal depiction
from Doctor Solomon’s