Cannabis has been used by humans for centuries upon centuries for its medicinal and therapeutic properties. Today, despite a few legal gray areas, it’s more popular than ever as a natural remedy for various maladies and ailments.

Whether you're using cannabis to manage pain, anxiety, or just to help you unwind after a hard day's work, you might be wondering which method of consumption is best for you — topical or edible cannabis?

While both offer interesting benefits, the way they work in the body is hugely different, and choosing the right one for your needs can make all the difference. So let’s dive into the details of both to help you understand how they compare, what they offer, and how to decide which one is right for your personal wellness needs.

What Are Topical Cannabis Products?

Simply put, topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms, oils, and creams that are applied directly to the skin. They contain cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and other plant compounds, which can be absorbed for localized effects. Unlike other methods of cannabis consumption, topicals do not cause any psychoactive effects — they won't get you "high" — because they don’t really enter the bloodstream.

How Do Topicals Work?

Topicals work by targeting the cannabinoid receptors in the skin, particularly CB2 receptors, which play a role in managing your immune functions and inflammation responses. When applied directly to areas where you're experiencing pain, inflammation, or any sort of discomfort, cannabis-infused topicals can provide relief without affecting the mind or body in the same way as smoking or ingesting cannabis.

Most people use topicals for things like:

• Chronic pain: Cannabis topicals can be applied to areas of the body suffering from muscle or joint pain, inflammation, or injury. Many people say they feel significant relief from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or muscle strains after using topicals.
• Skin conditions: Cannabis topicals have also gained popularity for their ability to soothe conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or acne. The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of some cannabinoids can help improve your skin's overall look and appearance.
• Relaxation and stress relief: Some topicals are designed for full-body relaxation and can help ease tension, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm when applied to the neck, shoulders, or temples. Great for winding down after a tough day without any intoxication.
• Sore muscles and sports recovery: Topicals are also popular among athletes for their ability to soothe sore muscles and speed up recovery after workouts or physical exertion. Throw some in your gym bag and see how much better you'll feel afterwards.

So as you're probably picking up on, the main advantages of topicals is their ability to deliver targeted relief to a specific area of your body without any mind-altering effects. So if you're looking for something that helps with localized pain or inflammation — and you don’t want to feel high — topicals are a great option.

What Are Edible Cannabis Products?

Alight, now that you understand topicals, let's do the same thing for edibles. These are cannabis-infused foods or beverages — such as gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and sodas. When you consume an edible, the cannabis is processed through the digestive system before it hits your bloodstream, which means the effects tend to be slower to onset but longer-lasting compared to other consumption methods, like smoking or vaping. Edibles typically contain either THC or CBD, and sometimes both.

How Do Edibles Work?

Once you eat a cannabis-infused edible, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the stomach and pass into the liver, where they are metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound that is significantly stronger than run-of-the-mill THC. The liver’s ability to convert THC into this more potent compound means that edible cannabis can produce more intense psychoactive effects, which can be beneficial for certain conditions, but it also means that the onset time is much slower — anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on factors like your metabolism, the type of edible, and how much you’ve eaten.

Edibles are often used for:

• Pain relief: THC-rich edibles are really popular for managing chronic pain conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or back pain. The long-lasting effects of edibles can help with pain relief over a prolonged period.
• Anxiety and stress reduction: Edibles are also widely used to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety — especially those high in CBD. Many users prefer edibles over smoking or vaping because of their longer-lasting, more stable effects in this regard.
• Sleep disorders: People who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders use THC edibles because of their ability to help promote deep, restful sleep. Since the effects of edibles can last throughout the night, they're a great choice for people who need sustained relief.
• Digestive support: Some people with digestive issues, like nausea or poor appetite, find help with cannabis-infused edibles. They're especially helpful for folks who take strong medications or chemotherapy.

So while edibles provide a full-body effect, they are not ideal for everyone — especially those who are uncomfortable with psychoactive effects. If you're new to edibles, it's really important to start with a low dose and be patient, as it can take time to feel the full effects. One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking it's not working, taking more, and then being overwhelmed with the result.

So now that we've taken a close look at each product category individually, let's set them side by side and take a look at their key differences.

The Key Differences Between Topicals and Edibles

One goes on your body, one goes in it. Sure, that's the biggest difference, but there are some more subtle ones you're going to want to understand. This will help you make an informed decision about which method is right for you.

Onset and Duration of Effects

• Topicals: Since topicals are applied directly to the skin, they provide localized relief almost immediately, often within minutes. However, the effects are typically short-lived, lasting only an hour or two, depending on the product and the severity of your symptoms.
• Edibles: Edibles take longer to kick in because they have to be processed by your digestive system. The onset time can range from 30 minutes to two hours. However, once the effects take hold, they tend to last much longer — anywhere from four to eight hours or more.

Psychoactive Effects

• Topicals: Topicals generally do not produce any psychoactive effects, meaning you won’t experience a "high" from using them. They provide targeted relief for pain, inflammation, and other conditions without really having much affect on your mind or mood beyond the pain relief you're going to experience.
• Edibles: Edibles, especially those containing THC, will produce psychoactive effects. If you consume an edible, you'll probably experience a sense of euphoria or altered perception, depending on the dose. These effects can last several hours, so it’s important to be mindful of the dosage. It's also important to not consume too much, because it's pretty easy to become overwhelmed.

Area of Relief

• Topicals: Topicals are ideal for targeted relief. Whether you have muscle soreness, joint pain, or a skin condition, topicals allow you to apply the cannabis directly to the affected area. This makes them a great option for everyday aches and pains as well as treating injuries.
• Edibles: Edibles provide full-body relief, as the cannabinoids enter your bloodstream and affect your entire system. This is why they're a better option for more generalized conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, or insomnia.

Ease of Use

• Topicals: Topicals are pretty easy to apply, and you can use them as needed throughout the day. There's no need to consume anything, which is nice — you just rub the product onto your skin. That said, they're a little less portable than edibles, especially if you need to carry a lot of product with you.
• Edibles: Edibles are very discreet and easy to take on the go. Whether it’s a chocolate bar, a gummy, or a can of infused soda, you can consume an edible anywhere without drawing attention. The convenience of not needing any special equipment or tools makes edibles a really popular choice.

Which Is Best for Me?

Alright, here's where the rubber meets the road. Now that you have a pretty solid understanding of these two methods, which one is the best choice for you? Ultimately, the answer depends on your specific needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Go with Topicals If:

You need localized relief for pain, inflammation, or skin conditions.

Topicals are perfect for targeting specific areas of discomfort, such as sore muscles, arthritis pain, or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. By applying the product directly to the affected area, you can get fast, focused relief without affecting the rest of your body. Got a hurt knee? Rub it on your knee. Couldn't be easier.

You don’t want to feel high.

Because topicals do not enter the bloodstream, they don't produce the psychoactive effects that come from consuming cannabis in other forms. This makes them a good choice if you want the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids but prefer to stay clear-headed and avoid the "high" typically associated with THC. Want to use cannabis at work? Go right ahead.

You need quick relief for muscle aches or joint pain and don’t mind reapplying throughout the day.

Topicals can provide pretty immediate relief to areas of muscle strain or joint pain, with effects often felt within minutes of application. While that relief is generally short-lived, many people find that they can reapply as needed throughout the day. It can be a bit of a hassle, but there are benefits to not being high for hours at a time.

You want to avoid digestive issues.

Since topicals are applied externally, they bypass the digestive system entirely, which means you won’t have to worry about stomach sensitivity or how your body metabolizes the cannabinoids. This can be really helpful for folks who experience digestive discomfort from edibles or prefer a more straightforward method of use.

Go with Edibles If:

You need full-body relief.

Edibles are absorbed through the digestive system and into the bloodstream, which means they offer a more systemic effect. This makes them a great choice for conditions that affect your whole body, like chronic pain or generalized anxiety, since they provide a more comprehensive form of relief.

You’re comfortable with the feeling of being high.

If you're looking to enjoy the mental relaxation that comes with THC intoxication, edibles are what you're looking for. The liver metabolizes the THC from edibles into a stronger, more potent form — 11-hydroxy-THC — which can create a stronger, long-lasting high, ideal for those seeking to unwind or manage more severe symptoms.

You’re looking for a long-lasting solution to your symptoms that will last for hours.

Edibles take longer to take effect, but once they do, they can provide sustained relief for a much longer period compared to topicals. The duration of effects can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, making edibles a good choice for people looking for extended symptom management, especially with conditions like insomnia, anxiety, or long-term pain.

You're looking for convenience and flexibility.

If you're looking for low-key, edibles are the way to go. They come in a wide variety of forms, from gummies and chocolates to beverages and baked goods, offering flexibility for folks who want to consume their cannabis without drawing any attention. No tubes of goop that you have to rub on yourself!

Looking For The Right Solution for the Right Situation

Both topical and edible cannabis products have their own unique benefits, and, as such, the right one for you depends on your specific needs. Like we said above, topicals are great for targeted relief without any psychoactive effects, making them great for localized pain, skin conditions, or muscle soreness.

Edibles, on the other hand, provide full-body relief, lasting effects, and a more intense experience, making them a better option for those dealing with chronic conditions or looking for long-lasting relief from symptoms like anxiety or insomnia.

Whichever you choose, remember to start with a low dose — especially with those edibles — and pay attention to how your body responds. Everyone’s experience with cannabis is different, so take your time and find what works best for you.