What Are CBD Patches? Benefits & How to Use Them

Existing for nearly 40 years, the first transdermal patchwas approved by the FDA in 1979 to curb motion sickness. The most well-known patch is the nicotine patch, which was introduced in 1991 and is famed for helping innumerable smokers break their habit. We've certainly come a long way since then, and a relatively new ingredient has made its way into the transdermal industry - CBD. With the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana and its infusion into so many products nowadays, there's no surprise that cannabidiol eventually ended up on a patch. Before we do a deep dive into everything you ever wanted to know about CBD patches, let's talk first about that crucial ingredient that makes a CBD patch work.

What Is CBD & What Are Its Benefits?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring chemical compound in hemp and marijuana plants, but unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD isn't psychoactive, meaning it does not cause a high on its own. CBD oil is what you get by extracting cannabidiol out of a cannabis or hemp plant. It works on your endocannabinoid system, which naturally produces endocannabinoids to assist your body with adapting to outside stress points. CBD is a phytocannabinoid, meaning it works to mimic your body's natural endocannabinoids.

Since you have receptors for cannabinoids in your nervous, immune and digestive system, CBD oil will interact with nearly every bodily system inside you. Copious research has indicated cannabidiol to be useful for easing inflammation and chronic painthat comes with medical conditions like fibromyalgia, cancer pain, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, nerve pain and IBS. CBD has also been a major hit within the skincare industry, having been proven to be effective against a whole slew of skin issues such as eczema, acne and psoriasis. On top of all that, cannabidiol can help manage anxiety and stressas well by directly interacting with the serotonin receptor in your brain, which in turn lowers your stress response. With all of those health benefits, there's no wonder CBD has become all the rage lately.

What Is A CBD Patch & How Does It Work?

A CBD transdermal patch is similar to a large plastic band-aid infused with cannabidiol that you can peel and stick anywhere on your skin. They consist of a tiny but mighty number of CBD molecules imbued into an isolated solution. Your body heat activates the patch, causing it to let out a small amount of the cannabidiol and any other ingredients (THC, caffeine, melatonin, etc.) within the patch. These are then absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstreamso your body can begin processing the CBD. Incorporated with permeation enhancers and carriers, these patches allow cannabidiol to travel into your body with a robust efficiency. Many users tend to apply them on venous parts of their body such as their arms, ankles, or wrists for higher absorption rates into the bloodstream in those areas. How long does it take for the patch to take effect? Most CBD patches take anywhere from half an hour to an hour to start working, as transdermal is the slowest acting method for cannabidiol consumption.

There are currently two types of CBD patches: reservoir and matrix. The most significant difference between the two is how they release their ingredients. The rate of release in matrix patches is not precisely controlled, and the dosage obtained will merely depend on the amount of cannabidiol held inside the matrix and the size of the patch. The reservoir patch has a drug reservoir within it, which is often a gel that contains the CBD, and unlike the matrix patch, the reservoir model releases it through a rate-controlling membrane between the reservoir, the adhesive, and your skin. The reservoir model has become the popular one and is more widely used of the two transdermal patches.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Patches?

CBD patches allow cannabidiol to bypass the liver and stomachto be absorbed straight into the bloodstream. The stomach and liver are designed to break down whatever goes into them, which means that less of the CBD would have been absorbed effectively had it gone through those two organs. Transdermal application also delivers a more accurate dose compared to other methods like vapes and oils. These patches are typically waterproof so you can conveniently wear them into the shower. Without having to stop what you're doing to re-dose, you can continue carrying on with life while the cannabidiol is gradually released through the patch. Additionally, users who hate the taste of CBD oil can avoid it since the patches are applied to the skin.

Where Can I Buy CBD Patches Online?

Hemp, which CBD products are normally produced from, is a legal plant in every single state in the U.S. This means that CBD patches are legal in all 50 states and can be shipped across state lines. If you're looking for CBD patches near me, you should be able to find a local dispensaryor health store stocked up with CBD patches. If that isn't the case, then you can definitely order some online. To help you out, we included a short list of a few quality brands selling CBD patches below.

Best CBD Patches

Hemp BombsCBD Pain Patch

These CBD patches for pain deliver pure cannabidiol directly into your bloodstream as soon as they are applied onto your skin. Formulated with cooling ingredients such as lidocaine and menthol, they are sold in packs of two with 50mgs of CBD in each and last from 8-12 hours for maximum pain relief.

Mary's Medicinals Elite Transdermal CBD Patch

Mary's Medicinalsis a leading brand in vegan healthcare products as well as plant-based medicines. Revolutionizing the field, they were the very first company to venture out and market transdermal CBD products. Their 10mgl patches have won several national awards for their utmost quality and innovation. While some brands only focus on patches for inflammation and pain, Mary's Medicinals also carry CBD patches for anxiety and stress, which are enriched with terpenes.

Pure Ratios Transdermal Reservoir CBD Hemp Extract Patch

These reservoir patches hold much more cannabidiol than others and also contain healthy plant oils and aloe to further sooth the skin. Gradually releasing 40mgs of CBD over a longer period of time, they are completely waterproof and can last for 3-4 days. That means the patch only needs to be swapped out a couple of times a week as opposed to once or more a day. How convenient is that?

Do you have any CBD patch reviews for us? Let us know your thoughts below!