5 Reasons Why Transdermal Patches Are The Future of Hemp
Published: May 27, 2022
Hemp is becoming an increasingly popular method to support pain relief and other ailments. Here are our top 5 reasons why transdermal patches are a better alternative to traditional Hemp products:
1. Targeted Application
Hemp patches allow you to place the patch anywhere on your body, including directly on or near your area of pain, which allows for a targeted application to assist in pain relief and reduce inflammation.
This is enhanced when additional ingredients known to support pain relief, such as wintergreen oil and menthol, are added. Wintergreen oil contains methyl salicylate, and when it is absorbed into the bloodstream, it acts in a similar manner as aspirin. Menthol is also used as a targeted pain reliever in common over the counter topical products.
2. Consistent Delivery Over a Long Period of Time
While oral hemp products like gummies or oil reach your bloodstream after 30 to 90 minutes from ingestion, they only last approximately 3 to 6 hours and have a bell curve peak when it comes to delivery. That means if you take an oral hemp supplement for pain relief before bed, you might be waking up in pain during the middle of the night.
Transdermal patch technology allows for steady and consistent release over 24 hours, which reduces the highs and lows of traditional oral hemp.
3. Higher Absorption Rate
Oral hemp products must be metabolized through your digestive tract and passed through the liver to reach your bloodstream. During this process, as much as 80% of the hemp is lost and never enters the bloodstream.
Since patches deliver through the skin and straight into the bloodstream, the absorption rate (we also call this bioavailability) is above 90% and often close to 100%.
4. Accurate Dosage Per Use
Because of the nature of how hemp gummies and other hemp candies are manufactured, it makes it difficult to evenly distribute the hemp dosage for each individual piece. This is why you often see a total amount of hemp listed on the package but an estimated amount per piece.
The way transdermal patches are manufactured allows for very specific dosage to be applied evenly to each patch because no cooking or additional manufacturing process is required.
5. No Gastrointestinal Irritation
Oral hemp products can contain gelatin, gluten, or other additives, which are metabolized through the digestive tract to reach the bloodstream. These substances can irritate or upset the stomach and other organs as they are processed.
Transdermal patches deliver through the skin and therefore do not allow for gastrointestinal irritation.
Sources:
Hammell DC, et al. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
Ujváry I, et al. (2016). Human Metabolites of Cannabidiol: A Review on Their Formation, Biological Activity, and Relevance in Therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576600/
Bonn-Miller MO, et al. (2017). Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online.