What’s a CBD Roll On? What Are They Used For?

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Whether you are new to CBD products or a veteran user, one thing is certain – the number of options and form factors are dizzying! For people trying to choose the best CBD product for their symptoms or conditions, it can be confusing, so today we want to talk about a form factor that, until recently, was not so common but has become one of the more popular methods for people seeking relief from a CBD product.

What’s a CBD Roll On?

CBD Roll-Ons typically come in a cylindrical tube with a rollerball on top, similar to roll-on underarm deodorants. Sizes may vary, i.e., 2 oz. Or 4 oz. but the form factors are generally the same. The main ingredient in the product is CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp, so CBD roll-ons will not make you feel “high” like people do when using a THC product. Formulas may vary too because some companies may choose to use a CBD isolate, which means there is only one cannabinoid in the product, CBD.

Some companies may use a broad-spectrum CBD, which means it will contain CBD and other cannabinoids, like CBG, CBN, and it may include terpenes, the aromatic compounds in the cannabis plant. Still, other companies may use full spectrum CBD, so it will contain major and minor cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, all of which can produce a greater impact on the area of the body that is causing discomfort.

The best CBD roll-ons usually combine other ingredients like essential oils and botanicals to increase the efficacy and effectiveness of the product. You will find that some CBD roll-ons provide a cooling sensation that usually comes from menthol or a heating sensation that usually comes from camphor or capsaicin, though there are other ingredients that can be used to illicit a cooling or heating sensation in the body. Some CBD roll-ons are “Nano-infused,” which means that the CBD molecules are greatly reduced in size, allowing it to penetrate the skin and cells quicker than regular CBD roll-ons but that doesn’t mean that CBD roll-ons that aren’t “nano” aren’t effective. Regardless of how they are formulated, most CBD roll-ons are water-based, which means that once they are applied to the skin, they absorb quickly and dry quickly.   

CBD roll-ons are applied topically to the localized area of the body where someone may be experiencing muscle or joint pain.

What are Some Good Uses for a CBD Roll On?

One great thing about a well-made CBD roll-on is that they can provide rapid relief for achy joints and muscles. Unlike CBD oil or a CBD gummy which may take 30 – 60 minutes before you may feel some relief, once you apply an effective CBD roll-on, you will notice a healing sensation within minutes. Athletes and people that demand performance from their bodies love roll-ons for this reason. And you can use a CBD roll-on as a pre- or post-workout solution.

Since it does not enter your bloodstream, it will not impede your performance if you choose to use it before a workout or other strenuous activity. And if you choose to use it after a workout or other strenuous activity, you won’t have to wait very long to start feeling a cooling or warming sensation or relief. But one doesn’t have to be an athlete to benefit from using a CBD roll-on. People who suffer from arthritis are great candidates and can benefit greatly by using an effective CBD roll-on wherever they have joint or muscle pain. Instead of taking Aleve or other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) for joint or muscle pain, a CBD roll-on may be a great alternative, and it will certainly work quicker than swallowing a pain medication.

Another great thing about a CBD roll-on is that the form factor makes it convenient to travel with, so if you are on the go, you can put it in your purse or your gym bag or even in carry-on luggage. It works so well because the active ingredients penetrate your skin pores and move into your skin cells where we have an abundance of cannabinoid receptors that work to control inflammation and pain perception in the body.

How Do You Use a CBD Roll On?

The best way to use a CBD roll-on is to apply it in small amounts to the area of the body that is giving you discomfort. More is not necessarily better, so it is best to start low and go slow. Use the roller ball and apply gentle pressure as you work the roll-on in a circular motion.

Some people with deep muscle aches may apply a little more pressure to provide a little trigger point therapy while in the process of applying the ingredients through the roller ball. If you are not sure what the effects or experience will be, it may be best to start with an area of the body like your forearm behind your neck, and then wait a few minutes to see what you feel. It is not recommended to apply a roll-on to your facial area, around your eyes nor on any areas where you may have sensitive skin, as the ingredients may do the opposite as what is intended. And you should never apply any roll-on on open wounds or small cuts as this may exacerbate the wound and have the opposite effect.  

In closing, CBD roll-ons have many benefits for people, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a final benefit: for those people who may be concerned about failing a drug test or getting “high” when using a cannabis-derived CBD product, CBD topicals like a roll-on provide a great way to introduce yourself to the potential healing properties of CBD without worry about either of those things. So, if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to using a CBD product to address localized pain, a CBD roll-on is a fantastic place to begin your journey.