How do CBD Patches work?

Rohan Mathew

Introduction

There are myriad ways of using CBD ranging from tinctures to oils, capsules to edibles, vape, cartridge, or creams. CBD patches are the newest delivery method that offers some unique advantages over other CBD delivery methods. In this article, we will discuss how transdermal CBD patches work. While initially it may seem incredibly complex, such technology has actually been around for a number of years.

What are CBD Patches?

CBD patches are transdermal patches used to deliver CBD directly into your bloodstream, thus bypassing the stomach, liver, and the whole digestive system. Transdermal patches have been around for decades and were popularized by nicotine transdermal patches that helped millions of smokers quit smoking. 

Transdermal CBD patches use the same technology, except that, in this case, nicotine has been replaced by CBD. Each transdermal CBD patch contains a measured cannabinoid dose often infused in a gel, oil, or an isolated solution. 

How do Transdermal CBD Patches Work?

Our skin cells are made up of lipids, and cannabinoids are also lipids, allowing CBD from CBD patches to diffuse into our cells readily. Transdermal CBD patches allow you to deliver CBD directly to your bloodstream through the skin. This is occurs when cannabinoid molecules released from CBD patches reach your endocannabinoid system through the skin where they combine with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce a wide variety of therapeutic effects. 

Benefits of Transdermal CBD patches

Transdermal CBD patches are considered the most effective way of delivering CBD in your bloodstream. Almost 50% of the CBD content of a CBD patch gets into the bloodstream in most cases. If you swallow a CBD capsule, then there is a high chance that only 5% of the CBD content may reach your bloodstream after the digestive process leading to a waste of almost 95% of the CBD content.

Lungs are also considered quite efficient in absorbing CBD, and in some cases, one may get 50% of the inhaled dose of CBD into his/her bloodstream through a vape, but for most people, this figure is much lower.

Only transdermal CBD patches allow you to get most CBD content to your endocannabinoid system bypassing several organs involved in the digestion process. A study suggests that a CBD patch can also activate your skin cells naturally that can offer great help to those with skin conditions. 

CBD patches are also a discreet way to take your daily dose of CBD as they can be applied under the clothes. CBD patches also offer consistent dosage as cannabinoids contained in these patches are released steadily into your bloodstream. This is a much better way of delivering cannabinoids than inhaling or ingesting where the effects peak rapidly and then tapers off. 

You also don’t have to worry about the taste or smell of CBD capsules and can be assured that most of the CBD contained in a transdermal CBD patch will find its way into your bloodstream without any loss in the quantity that often accompanies if you swallow or inhale CBD.