DO CBD LOTIONS SHOW IN DRUG TESTS?

CBD lotions are non-intoxicating cannabinoids that are extracted from cannabis plants and they are very popular in the world.

After the legalization of the herb-derived CBD products in the U.S.A by the Farm Bill in 2018, there has been an improvement in the wellness and the health market of CBD lotions. The emergence of these CBD hemp-derived products has allowed many people to seek a therapeutic place lawfully since marijuana remains illegal in different states.

What does CBD Lotion Do?

Nitecka-Buchta et al. (2019) argued that CBD lotions are applied on the skin to relieve pain on the surface of the skin or somewhere a bit deeper in muscle tissue. CBD lotions contain phytocannabinoid CBD in them. According to Baswan et al. (2020), these lotions can be used in reducing pain, and treating skin problems and inflammation but only when they are used typically. CBD lotions may contain some traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which are not supposed to be more than 0.3% to avoid getting high after taking it unless you overdose on it.

Russo (2011) suggested the use of CBD with THC together because they are believed to work better when they are combined due to the entourage effect. This is because those two compounds boost each other resulting in the best outcome.

Benefits of CBD Lotions

The above study clarified that they help in improving skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

Eskander et al. (2020) explained that they also help in managing arthritis pain and inflammation.

D’Andre et al. (2021) also established that they help in reducing sharp pain which may be a result of peripheral neuropathy caused by nerve damage.

How to Choose the Best CBD Lotion?

It is always recommended to do research first to determine which CBD lotion is best for you. This should be done to ensure that the product has already been tested and contains the required amount of CBD in it because not all CBD products are created equal so customers should ensure that they are purchasing the quality ones. The best way to ensure that your CBD product manufacturer is reputable is by purchasing those with a certificate of analysis (COA) from a third-party testing lab.

How CBD Lotions are made

CBD lotions can be made at home using Shea butter or coconut oil. Then CBD is infused.

What is a Drug?

A drug is any substance that is used to treat, prevent, diagnose or relieve symptoms of any sickness or abnormal condition. If drugs are abused they can interfere with brain functions leading to abnormal behaviors such as bad moods, feelings, and thoughts and they may lead to addiction. Drugs may affect your way of thinking and your behavior as well so they should be taken in the right way.

How Drugs are made

Different drugs are made from different sources such as; plants, synthetic chemicals, and processed plant products. They are processed by adding some other ingredients such as active and inactive ingredients.

Types of Drugs

There are two types of drugs which are legal and illegal. Legal drugs are allowed but they have restrictions according to the age and the place of use. They include alcohol, khat, caffeine, and nicotine. Illegal drugs, on the other hand, are against the law to possess, use, manufacture or sell them as well. They include drugs like cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.

Do CBD Lotions Show in Drug Tests?

When doing drug tests, Paul et al. (2019) emphasized that CBD lotion will not show up on drug tests but the test will identify the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  Some CBD products may also contain a little quantity of THC which may make a person fail a drug test. Although CBD products are extracted from herbs, some of them claim to be THC-free but contaminations can occur during the manufacturing process.

The primary compound found in cannabis is THC which is intoxicating. CBD is being used by researchers to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. According to The Food and Drug Administration, products that contain more than 0.3% of THC are illegal and are listed as a schedule 1 drug. THC attacks the natural compounds that a person's body produces called endocannabinoids binding receptors in different parts of the brain. When it comes to CBD, it does not bind to the same receptors as THC.

How CBD works is still in question but scientists think that it might boost endocannabinoid levels or bind to serotonin receptors. When serotonin hormones are boosted, they regulate mood, anxiety, and happiness.

How do Drug Tests for CBD Work?

Urine is the most used diagnostic test for cannabis which also targets other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, opiates, and other substances. It is done through an "immunoassay test" which involves the urine drug screen and is done using antibodies designed to detect specific drugs or the availability of their metabolites. When doing a CBD drug test, the presence of THC and its metabolites are detected through antibodies producing a signal to show the “positivity” test of the drug.

The federal government sets the drug concentration levels in urine during screening and a negative result is detected if the test detects a drug concentration in the urine below the set concentration threshold.  A positive result of drug presence is reached when the person’s drug concentration in his or her urine is above the set threshold concentration and he or she has to undergo a follow-up test. The doctors should be very careful when doing cannabis tests because false results may be attained and those people are advised to speak with the doctor immediately.

Conclusion

CBD lotions are non-intoxicating cannabinoids that are extracted from cannabis plants and they are very popular in the world. A drug is any substance that is used to treat, prevent, diagnose or relieve symptoms of any sickness or abnormal condition. When doing a drug test, CBD is not screened because it does not cause intoxication effects and it’s also not in the category of illegal drugs. Some CBD may be contaminated with THC so people should purchase CBD products from reliable sources. Nevertheless, THC doesn't last in a person's body forever because it is soluble in body fat and it gets excreted through the kidney as the person burns this fat.

References

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential Of Cannabidiol (CBD) For Skin Health And Disorders. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 13, 927.

D’Andre, S., Mcallister, S., Nagi, J., Giridhar, K. V., Ruiz-Macias, E., & Loprinzi, C. (2021). Topical Cannabinoids For Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: A Case Series. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 20, 15347354211061739.

Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) As A Treatment Of Acute And Chronic Back Pain: A Case Series And Literature Review. J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8.

Nitecka-Buchta, A., Nowak-Wachol, A., Wachol, K., Walczyńska-Dragon, K., Olczyk, P., Batoryna, O., ... & Baron, S. (2019). Myorelaxant Effect Of Transdermal Cannabidiol Application In Patients With TMD: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial. Journal Of Clinical Medicine, 8(11), 1886.

Paul, R., Williams, R., Hodson, V., & Peake, C. (2019). Detection Of Cannabinoids In Hair After Cosmetic Application Of Hemp Oil. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-6.

Russo, E. B. (2011). Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy And Phytocannabinoid‐Terpenoid Entourage Effects. British Journal Of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344-1364.