Topical applications of cannabidiol (CBD) is gaining popularity among dermatologists in professional organizations and laboratory studies. CBD lotion is just one option among topical products, like salves, creams, and sprays.

CBD lotion works to relieve common problems. It's applied directly to areas of inflammation, pain, or other issues.

According to a release from the American Academy of Dermatology, "Because cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties, Dr. [Jeanette] Jacknin says, there may be potential for topical cannabis to improve conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema by reducing the inflammation associated with these diseases. Moreover, she says, no negative side effects have been associated with topical cannabis treatment, aside from contact dermatitis, which could occur with any substance applied to the skin."

In a study of rats, transdermal absorption of CBD revealed positive results. It significantly reduced joint swelling, behaviors associated with spontaneous pain, immune cell infiltration, and thickening of the synovial membrane.

"These data indicate that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without evident side-effects," according to the study's results.

A patent was filed in 2001 outlining that cannabinoids, which include CBD, have antioxidant properties.

That's what it works for, but how does CBD lotion work in general? Well, it's worked into the layers of the human skin, of which there are three. There's the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis.

The hypodermis is a layer of fat with nerves and blood vessels. The dermis lies above it, consisting of nerves, blood vessels, hair shafts, sweat, and sebaceous glands. The epidermis is the top-most layer of human skin.

There are a few common areas for CBD topical products to be applied to.

• Elbows, knees, and other joints
• Soles of the feet and heels
• Face
• Neck and shoulders

It's a product that can be localized to the specific problem, so you don't have to lather up all of those areas of the body. A health professional will tell you where to apply it.

CBD Pain Roll-Ons are gaining prominence in the athletic community, and for good reason, according to Patrick Davitt Ph.D., director of the health sciences program at the University of the Sciences.

"Many athletes pop an ibuprofen or other NSAID pre- and post-exercise, but these have been shown to block many of the body’s natural responses to exercise," Davitt said. "CBD does not block the body’s inflammatory pathways, like NSAID drugs, but simply lowers or regulates it without any side effects that come with the chronic consumption of traditional pain relievers.

"Athletes have been reported to overuse NSAID drugs, so the potential of CBD for treatment of common ailments, without the negative side effects and hazardous physiological implications, has real promise."

The nice part is that it bypasses the common shortcomings of oral bioavailability or in other words the body's ability to effectively use the dosage when taken by mouth like with an edible or drink. The effectiveness of oral consumption of CBD is limited due to the first-pass metabolism during digestion.