Do Cannabis-Infused Topicals Get You High? The Definitive Answer

People have been using cannabis in medicinal settings for thousands of years. Finally, the western world is starting to catch on to the benefits of cannabinoids, and the stigma surrounding these products is beginning to go away. One of the biggest advancements in the industry comes in the form of cannabis-infused topicals, which do not produce psychoactive effects. In other words, you can safely use cannabis topicals without getting high or failing a drug test.

Can THC Be Absorbed Through the Skin?

Part of the reason we can experience the benefits of cannabis is that the human body has a natural endocannabinoid system. This system runs throughout your entire body and regulates a variety of functions from sleep to the experience of pain. Cannabinoids in topical cannabis-infused lotion work by penetrating the muscles and joints, where they act as a supplement to the endocannabinoid system. In other words, THC can be absorbed through the skin, but that doesn’t mean THC lotion gets you high.

Does THC Lotion Get You High?

Simply put, cannabis-infused lotion does not make you high. Cannabis does not produce its psychoactive or intoxicating effects through local applications, so people can safely get relief from cannabis lotion without getting high. People have used cannabis-infused lotion to address everything from arthritis pain to post-workout soreness, and they can do so without being concerned about a fuzzy head. It’s ok to use topical cannabis without worrying about driving, working, or anything else you have to do.

Can CBD Lotion Make You Fail a Drug Test?

Most likely, CBD lotion cannot make you fail a drug test. CBD is already a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, so drug tests aren’t looking for it. Drug tests for marijuana are looking for THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Even when topicals contain THC, it’s extremely unlikely that they could make someone fail a drug test by getting into the blood or urine.

Cannabinoids bind with fat molecules, which means they’re most likely going to stick around in your skin and the underlying tissue wherever you apply them. People have used cannabis topicals as an excuse for failing a drug test, but it’s most likely not the truth. The only way topicals can get distributed throughout the entire body is if a person uses a THC patch, or if the topical is transdermal.

How Topicals Interact With the Body

Instead of binding with receptors in the brain and causing a high, cannabis topicals bind with local cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. For that reason, topicals should only affect the area where they’re applied. Don’t expect to get any heady or cerebral effects from your cannabis-infused lotion, but it might work wonders for your aching back. The soothing effects of cannabinoids can work on joints and muscles, as well as the skin itself. People have even used it to address conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, itching, and acne.

Can You Use Topicals Every Day?

You can use topicals in the same way you’d use any other soothing salve, cream, or lotion. Simply massage your cannabis-infused lotion into your skin to experience relief.

Here at Mary Jane’s Medicinals, we produce consistent, reliable THC-infused topicals for Colorado dispensaries. Our products come in a variety of formats, so you can find the one that’s most appropriate for whatever’s ailing you. Look for our small-batch topicals in your local dispensary, or contact us online to learn more.