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Do THC Balms or Creams Get You High
Do cannabis topicals get you high? No, standard THC creams stay local. But transdermal patches can. Learn the crucial difference and what to expect.
Written by Lorien Strydom
November 26th, 2025
If you've been browsing cannabis topicals online, you've probably encountered conflicting information. One article claims THC creams can't possibly make you high.
Another hints that you might feel "something." A Reddit thread swears someone's massage oil left them slightly buzzed.
We're here to cut through the confusion with a straightforward answer, explain the one exception you need to know about, and help you understand why people report such different experiences.
Table of Contents
Do Cannabis Topicals Get You High?
How Cannabis Topicals Work on Your Skin
Why Transdermal Patches and Gels Are Different
How Long Cannabis Topicals Take to Work
Will THC Topicals Show Up on a Drug Test?
Why Some People Say They Feel a Little High
How to Apply Cannabis Topicals for Best Results
Choosing Cannabis Topicals That Actually Work
Balms vs Lotions vs Oils vs Bath Products
Why Third Party Lab Reports Matter
What People Use Cannabis Topicals For
If You're Looking for Psychoactive Effects
Do Cannabis Topicals Get You High?
No, standard cannabis topicals do not get you high.
These products interact with cannabinoid receptors in your skin and nearby tissues without entering your bloodstream or reaching your brain.
The exception: transdermal patches and gels are specifically engineered to deliver cannabinoids systemically through your bloodstream.
These products may produce mild psychoactive effects because they're designed to penetrate your skin barrier and circulate throughout your body.
Understanding the difference between these two categories resolves most of the confusion. Regular topical creams, balms, and lotions stay local.
Transdermal products cross into your system intentionally.
The Difference Between Psychoactive and Psychotropic
CBD may influence your mood similarly to how coffee might, but it doesn't alter your perception or create intoxication. THC is genuinely intoxicating when it reaches your brain in sufficient amounts.
Standard topicals prevent this by keeping THC contained in the skin and nearby tissues rather than allowing it to circulate systemically.
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How Cannabis Topicals Work on Your Skin
Cannabis topicals work through a localized mechanism that keeps effects contained to the application area. Cannabinoids in these products bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout your skin and underlying muscle tissue.
The molecular challenge is significant.
THC is a large, fat-loving molecule that struggles to penetrate your skin's protective barrier without special chemical enhancers.
Your skin acts as an effective shield, preventing most topically applied substances from entering your bloodstream.
Think of your skin like a brick wall. Cannabinoids settle into the mortar locally rather than passing through to the other side.
They interact with receptors right where you apply them, providing localized effects without systemic circulation.
Why Standard Topicals Stay Local
Your skin's outermost layer creates a formidable barrier against most molecules.
Cannabis compounds are particularly challenged because of their size and chemical properties.
Without permeation enhancers, these molecules simply can't cross this barrier in meaningful amounts.
This protective mechanism is why topicals can contain substantial THC concentrations without producing psychoactive effects. The THC never reaches the quantities needed in your bloodstream to cross the blood-brain barrier and create intoxication.
Why Transdermal Patches and Gels Are Different
Transdermal products solve the skin barrier problem through pharmaceutical engineering.
These products incorporate permeation enhancers like ethanol or specialized carrier compounds that actively push cannabinoids past your skin's protective layers and into your bloodstream.
The distinction is deliberate and significant. Manufacturers design transdermal products for systemic delivery, which is why they carry different warning labels and produce body-wide effects rather than localized ones.
Products labeled "transdermal" or advertising "full-body relief" signal this engineering difference. Check product packaging carefully to understand what type of topical you're purchasing.
How Long Cannabis Topicals Take to Work
Most people notice effects from cannabis topicals within 10 to 30 minutes of application.
The exact timing varies based on product formulation, concentration, and individual factors.
Effects typically last 4 to 6 hours. You can reapply as frequently as needed without risking intoxication from standard topical products, since they don't accumulate systemically.
Will THC Topicals Show Up on a Drug Test?
Standard topicals are highly unlikely to trigger positive drug test results. Since cannabinoids from these products don't enter your bloodstream in detectable amounts, they won't create the metabolites that standard drug tests screen for.
The transdermal exception applies here as well. Patches and gels that deliver cannabinoids into your bloodstream could potentially show up on drug tests, just as any systemically absorbed THC would.
Side Effects to Watch For
The most common side effect from cannabis topicals is skin irritation from formula ingredients rather than cannabinoids themselves.
We recommend performing a patch test on a small skin area before applying any new topical product widely, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Why Some People Say They Feel a Little High
Several legitimate explanations account for reports of feeling something from topical products. Understanding these helps you evaluate your own experiences accurately.
First, some products labeled as standard topicals are actually mislabeled transdermal formulations. This manufacturing and labeling issue appears more frequently than it should in the unregulated portions of the cannabis market.
Second, application on broken or severely irritated skin changes absorption dramatically. Compromised skin barriers allow deeper penetration of cannabinoids, potentially enabling some systemic absorption.
The Relaxation Effect
Profound physical relaxation can feel euphoric without being genuine intoxication.
If walking becomes easier after using a balm, that relief can feel amazing.
That sensation is comfort and relief, not psychoactive intoxication.
Your body's response to sudden comfort after extended discomfort can create a noticeable mood lift. This doesn't mean cannabinoids reached your brain to create psychoactive effects.
Watch: How To Use Cannabis Flower
How to Apply Cannabis Topicals for Best Results
Apply cannabis topicals to clean, dry skin for optimal absorption. Use a generous amount and massage thoroughly into the targeted area until the product absorbs completely.
Wash your hands after application to prevent accidentally transferring product to sensitive areas like your eyes. You can reapply every few hours as needed based on your individual response.
Choosing Cannabis Topicals That Actually Work
Product quality varies dramatically in the cannabis topical market. A 2022 research study found that only 28% of cannabis topicals contained cannabinoid levels matching their labels, with most products showing significantly different concentrations than advertised.
This mislabeling problem means checking third-party lab reports becomes essential rather than optional. Batch-specific Certificates of Analysis verify that your product contains what the label claims.
What to Look for in Lab Reports
Verify that the COA matches your product's batch number. Check that cannabinoid content aligns with label claims.
Look for contaminant screening results showing the product tested negative for pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials.
While Mood doesn't sell topicals, we model the transparency standard you should expect from any cannabis brand. All our product COAs are published at mood.com/coas for easy verification.
Balms vs Lotions vs Oils vs Bath Products
Different topical formats serve different preferences and use cases. Balms provide thick, targeted application that stays in one spot.
Lotions absorb quickly and spread easily across larger areas.
Oils provide excellent slip for massage applications. Bath products dissolve for full-body coverage without psychoactive effects, offering relaxation through comfort rather than intoxication.
Choosing Your Format
Consider your intended use when selecting a format. Targeted application benefits from thick balms or salves.
Larger areas work better with quickly absorbing lotions. Relaxation rituals might incorporate bath soaks or massage oils.
Why Third Party Lab Reports Matter
The 2022 mislabeling study revealed a quality control crisis in cannabis topicals. Only 28% of tested products accurately represented their cannabinoid content.
Most contained significantly different levels than their labels claimed.
This isn't just about getting what you paid for. Inconsistent products make it impossible to determine what strength works for your needs.
Third-party lab verification provides the only reliable confirmation of product contents.
What People Use Cannabis Topicals For
People reach for cannabis topicals when they want localized comfort without systemic effects. Common applications include soothing tired muscles after activity, calming irritated skin, and providing targeted relief to specific areas.
Some topical products are formulated for massage or incorporated into bath routines for full-body relaxation. Others are designed for intimate use to enhance physical sensation and comfort.
Setting Appropriate Expectations
Cannabis topicals provide comfort and soothing effects through local interaction with cannabinoid receptors. We're not healthcare professionals and can't provide medical advice or make health claims about these products.
For condition-specific questions, consult with a licensed healthcare provider.
If You're Looking for Psychoactive Effects
Standard cannabis topicals are specifically engineered NOT to produce psychoactive highs. If you're seeking intoxicating effects, you need products that enter your system through ingestion or inhalation rather than topical application.
Mood offers hemp-derived THC products designed specifically for psychoactive experiences. Our gummies and edibles, THCa flower, and vapes deliver the effects you're looking for through formats built for systemic delivery.
For more information about different types of THC and how they work, explore our educational resources.
Mood offers millions of users hemp-derived THC, which is 100% legal and fully compliant cannabis.
You may have heard that the legality of hemp-derived THC is currently under attack, which could threaten the wellness of so many.
Read here to learn how to join the fight, and help us keep hemp cannabis accessible to all for a long time to come.
Cannabis Topicals Give You Comfort Without the High
Standard cannabis topicals provide localized effects without intoxication by interacting with receptors in your skin rather than entering your bloodstream. Transdermal patches and gels represent the engineered exception, designed specifically for systemic delivery.
You now understand how to identify which category a product falls into, what to expect from each type, and how to verify quality through third-party lab reports. This knowledge empowers you to choose and use cannabis topicals confidently.
For more information about how cannabinoids work and different cannabis consumption methods, explore our blog. You can also learn more about hemp-derived cannabis and THC beverages as alternatives to topical applications.
We're not healthcare professionals, and this content doesn't constitute medical advice. For condition-specific guidance, please consult with a licensed healthcare provider who can evaluate your individual circumstances.
