Here’s How to Choose the Right CBD Muscle Balm in 2021

Main image courtesy of Bullet & Bone.

If you’re dealing with pain on a frequent basis, you’ve probably tried out a lot of creams, lotions, and balms in hopes of getting relief for muscle and joint aches. If you’re one of the many people who unfortunately have not found relief with traditional topical pain relievers, perhaps it’s time to check out something a little different--CBD muscle balm. But how do you know which is the right muscle balm for you? Keep reading, because we’re going to go over everything you need to know about choosing the right CBD muscle balm for you, including: 

• What a CBD muscle balm is and what you use it for
• How to determine which CBD muscle balm is right for you
• Recommended CBD muscle balm

What is a CBD Muscle Balm?

All you need to know about CBD muscle balms

CBD has been showing up in all kinds of products, from ingestibles like gummies and drops, to topicals such as creams and balms. But why? Well, CBD is a known anti-inflammatory that also has pain-relieving (analgesic) properties as well. This makes it a great addition to products that are designed to help you manage pain. CBD is the more natural solution you’ve been searching for, since it works with your body’s own endocannabinoid system to help decrease inflammation and pain associated with chronic conditions and muscle fatigue. It does this by binding with receptors in the area where you’re experiencing pain (when you apply a topical), or throughout your body (when you take an ingestible). 

Many people experiencing pain have decided to ditch their traditional muscle balms because they just weren’t getting the relief they needed. This is because these types of pain relieving balms are not designed to to work with your body to find relief, they are simply applied and after their ingredients--known as counterirritants--wear off, you’re back to feeling pain again. The difference that a CBD muscle balm can make is that you’re getting targeted relief from the CBD (and other ingredients such as menthol, peppermint, and arnica) directly to the area that’s painful. 

The CBD goes to work after you apply it, and helps to decrease the pain you’re feeling in your muscle or joint. Depending on the level of pain you’re experiencing, you may have to reapply the muscle balm and experiment with what amount brings you relief. But just know that the CBD is working with your body to help lower the amount of pain and inflammation you’re feeling!

What Do You Use a CBD Muscle Balm For?

Why would you need a CBD muscle balm?

As you’ve probably already guessed, CBD muscle balms are used when you have sore muscles or joints. Just like traditional balms, ones with CBD can be used when you are experiencing intense pain, or are dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis. Topicals such as balms are designed to be used on specific areas, such as a knee or a shoulder, and rubbed in. This allows the CBD to absorb into the skin and start to work with the receptors in that area to decrease the amount of pain you feel, and minimize inflammation. Many balms also use soothing ingredients such as menthol or tea tree oil to further reduce inflammation and bring on a relaxing, cooling sensation to the area. 

No matter if you’re dealing with daily aches and pains, have a painful muscle or joint due to an intense exercise session, or just over exerted yourself, CBD muscle balms can help you forget about the pain for a while. They’re easy to apply and go to work to quickly target the area that’s sore. The next time you find yourself in pain, reach for your CBD muscle balm!

How Do You Choose a CBD Muscle Balm That’s Right for You?

Knowing what product to pick to give you relief from pain

When it comes time to choose a CBD muscle balm, you’re going to have to think about:

• How intense is your pain?
• What spectrum level of CBD are you comfortable with?

In order to find the right CBD muscle balm for your situation, you’ll have to determine what level of pain you have and how often you’re dealing with it. If you have an achy shoulder that acts up once and a while, you’ll probably want to look for muscle balm that’s on the lower end of the CBD strength spectrum. This kind of product that has 100-500mg of CBD is a good option if your pain is something that tends to come and go, but is not extremely intense. 

On the other hand, if you have a knee that bothers you each day, or is very painful some days, you might want to consider using a stronger CBD muscle balm, one that utilizes 1000mg-1500mg of CBD. This way, not only will you find relief on a daily basis from a muscle or joint giving you problems, but you’ll also be able to find relief on those days that are particularly bad. 

Using a CBD muscle balm after an intense activity such as walking or jogging is another way you can find relief from pain. Just apply the balm to the muscle or joint that is aching after your exercise session and allow the CBD to reduce inflammation and pain, so that you can get on with your day.

Another thing to consider when choosing a CBD muscle balm is whether or not you want to include other natural occurring hemp plant compounds and cannabinoids along with the CBD. Typically you’ll find CBD muscle balm labeled either:

• Broad spectrum CBD. Balms made with this process include CBD and other plant compounds, cannabinoids, and terpenes, but not THC.
• CBD isolate. Products that use CBD isolate have removed the other plant compounds so that you’re just getting CBD.

There is an additional way that CBD muscle balms include CBD and that’s when it is full spectrum, which includes all the natural plant compounds including up to the legal limit of 0.3% THC. The strength and the type of CBD you choose for your muscle balm is up to you and what level of pain you have. It may take some time to find a product that helps you find relief, but once you do, you’ll never look back!

Do CBD Muscle Balms Work?

How effective are muscle balms?

CBD interacts with everyone’s body differently, which is why it may take some trial and error to find a strength that works for your situation. One of the best parts about topicals such as muscle balms (besides the relief they bring) is that you can always reapply them if you need to. If your muscle or joint has been bothering you all day, feel free to reapply your CBD muscle balm to decrease that pain. 

Once you find a strength and an application routine that works for you, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try out CBD muscle balms sooner.

Top Recommended CBD Muscle Balms

Our picks for CBD muscle balms

When you have pain you want to get rid of fast, turn to Seventh Sense’s CBD Muscle Balm in either 500mg or 1000mg. Both strengths are made with 100% hemp-derived CBD and contain arnica to help with inflammation, as well as essential oils menthol and wintergreen to bring cooling relief. Use these muscle balms whenever you’ve got a painful muscle or joint that just won’t seem to stop aching. Apply directly to the area and allow the CBD to absorb into your skin and then get on with the rest of your day! Remember, you can always reapply if you’re not getting the relief you need.

CBD muscle balms are a great option for targeted relief of your sore muscles and joints. No matter what strength you choose, after you apply, the CBD and other soothing ingredients will get to work decreasing pain and inflammation.