Rubbing Alcohol Pain Relief MMJ Topical - Would this work?

[DDave]

Looking to make a pain relieving, rubbing alcohol based, topical. I've seen many postings on Massage oil, but looking for something quicker, easier, etc...

So, thought of soaking ABV and/or decarb'd fresh in 99% ISO, then applying to areas in need of pain relief with a cotton ball. (if not strong enough, could be evaporated off... but may increase stickiness, not sure).

Seeking input from anyone who's tried something similar. Would the actives absorb into the skin, or would this just create a sticky mess?

If the consensus is just a sticky mess, will chalk this idea up to too much elevation and get working on one of the popular massage oil recipes on FC.

Thanks!

 

[momofthegoons]

I'm thinking sticky mess. Think about when you evaporate iso or Everclear out. It results in a thick, molasses like, sticky mess. I think the same thing would happen with your skin treatment.

I would go with an oil. It absorbs right in and if you do a combination of olive and coconut oil, it will be silky smooth. It works great for pain. I make a salve with that as a base that many (including a few FC'ers) have tried and swear by.

 

[DDave]

I'm thinking sticky mess. Think about when you evaporate iso or Everclear out. It results in a thick, molasses like, sticky mess. I think the same thing would happen with your skin treatment.

I would go with an oil. It absorbs right in and if you do a combination of olive and coconut oil, it will be silky smooth. It works great for pain. I make a salve with that as a base that many (including a few FC'ers) have tried and swear by.

Thanks @momofthegoons !

Am going to give it a shot with @Enchantre recipe...

 

[Puffers]

Looking to make a pain relieving, rubbing alcohol based, topical. I've seen many postings on Massage oil, but looking for something quicker, easier, etc...

So, thought of soaking ABV and/or decarb'd fresh in 99% ISO, then applying to areas in need of pain relief with a cotton ball. (if not strong enough, could be evaporated off... but may increase stickiness, not sure).

Seeking input from anyone who's tried something similar. Would the actives absorb into the skin, or would this just create a sticky mess?

If the consensus is just a sticky mess, will chalk this idea up to too much elevation and get working on one of the popular massage oil recipes on FC.

Thanks!

I do this!

I normally just use mostly my throw-away stuff in there. Stems, leaves, lower quality trim, dropped popcorn nugs, dash of ABV, dash of oil rig ISO, etc it's my catch all and I throw a bit of everything in an attempt to keep it well rounded. If you find it lacking when you first start you can always strain out your plant matter and do a second extraction in the same ISO. I normally just keep throwing stems and stuff in the same ISO bottle that I use so it keeps getting more potent as I go. When I get too much plant matter in the bottle I strain the rub and start over again using my green ISO. Adding new plant matter and topping up the mixture with new ISO as needed.

Disclaimer: I have not used a coconut/massage oil rub I do not how they compare. I find my topical ISO works pretty well with muscle discomfort and things that are more "surface". I do not find it all that effective for things deeper like skeletal pain or my acute joint pains. I have heard that cannabis roots (non-psychoactive alkaloids for anyone wondering) can be made into a topical that are supposed to be effective for things of that nature.

 

[DDave]

I do this!

I normally just use mostly my throw-away stuff in there. Stems, leaves, lower quality trim, dropped popcorn nugs, dash of ABV, dash of oil rig ISO, etc it's my catch all and I throw a bit of everything in an attempt to keep it well rounded. If you find it lacking when you first start you can always strain out your plant matter and do a second extraction in the same ISO. I normally just keep throwing stems and stuff in the same ISO bottle that I use so it keeps getting more potent as I go. When I get too much plant matter in the bottle I strain the rub and start over again using my green ISO. Adding new plant matter and topping up the mixture with new ISO as needed.

Disclaimer: I have not used a coconut/massage oil rub I do not how they compare. I find my topical ISO works pretty well with muscle discomfort and things that are more "surface". I do not find it all that effective for things deeper like skeletal pain or my acute joint pains. I have heard that cannabis roots (non-psychoactive alkaloids for anyone wondering) can be made into a topical that are supposed to be effective for things of that nature.

@Puffers - Thanks for the input!

When you have a strong, concentrated batch... how do you apply it? Saturated cotton ball to affected area? After the solution dries on the skin, do you find the area sticky or tacky? (definitely looking to avoid this!).

Thanks!

A friend has Shingles, so looking for a "least contact method" of applying something topical... That's why I originally strayed away from massage oils, as was worried the rubbing in of the oil would aggravate the condition.

 

[Puffers]

@Puffers - Thanks for the input!

When you have a strong, concentrated batch... how do you apply it? Saturated cotton ball to affected area? After the solution dries on the skin, do you find the area sticky or tacky? (definitely looking to avoid this!).

Thanks!

A friend has Shingles, so looking for a "least contact method" of applying something topical... That's why I originally strayed away from massage oils, as was worried the rubbing in of the oil would aggravate the condition.

I just rub it on with a cotton ball or actually an old cotton t shirt rag I cut up for this duty. That way I am not wasting cotton balls all the time and I could careless if it gets stained.

Ya I forgot to mention that I never experience any stickiness on the applied area. It dries really quickly too. You could probably strain the topical and put it into a little bottle with a fine mister on it and skip the rubbing all together.

 

[DDave]

I just rub it on with a cotton or actually an old cotton t shirt rag I cut up for this duty. That way I am not wasting cotton balls all the time and I could careless if it gets stained.

Ya I forgot to mention that I never experience any stickiness on the applied area It dries really quickly too. You could probably strain the topical and put it into a little bottle with a fine mister on it and skip the rubbing all together.

Awesome! Definitely worthy of a small experimental batch!

(Still going to experiment with massage lotion/oil as well, but would be great to have both options to turn to, depending on need!)

 

[4tokin]

Looking to make a pain relieving, rubbing alcohol based, topical. I've seen many postings on Massage oil, but looking for something quicker, easier, etc...

So, thought of soaking ABV and/or decarb'd fresh in 99% ISO, then applying to areas in need of pain relief with a cotton ball. (if not strong enough, could be evaporated off... but may increase stickiness, not sure).

Seeking input from anyone who's tried something similar. Would the actives absorb into the skin, or would this just create a sticky mess?

If the consensus is just a sticky mess, will chalk this idea up to too much elevation and get working on one of the popular massage oil recipes on FC.

Thanks!

I have a bottle of ethanol that I use to clean anything resiny. It is black and horrible looking but very clean.
I use this for aches and pains. To apply I just dip a cotton bud into the solution then apply to the skin of the affected area.
It can be a little tacky while it dries and is absorbed into the skin.
Once dry it is fine.

 

[DDave]

I have a bottle of ethanol that I use to clean anything resiny. It is black and horrible looking but very clean.
I use this for aches and pains. To apply I just dip a cotton bud into the solution then apply to the skin of the affected area.
It can be a little tacky while it dries and is absorbed into the skin.
Once dry it is fine.

Thanks @4tokin ... That's exactly what I'm looking for. Am due to see this person on Saturday, so will start making my batch this evening....

Appreciate the input!

 

[rsqemt911]

I made an alcohol rub with fresh ground bud an grain. I let it total for a few months and when I strained it the plant matter was beige/white and totally washed.

I used it as a rub and it was amazing. Not sticky at all. Go higher on the alcohol than with a normal tincture. The alcohol also opens up the pores and helps increase circulation to the area which aids in absorbtion.

 

[DDave]

I did an Oz of decarbed mids and an Oz of ABV in 99% rubbing alcohol. Tacky when used, but when it dried, no sticky feeling remained.

For my friend with Shingles, she ranked it up with any prescription meds she'd been given for pain relief.
For my wife, back aches, neck aches, sore feet, etc... one application took care of them all, needing no further applications.

And what I noticed, my hands felt awesome, should I have been the one who applied the topical.

There was a definite odor of the herb, even after it dries. So advise addition of a fragrant herb that would help cover.... or in the case of pain, something like mint that could actually aid in what was trying to be accomplished (pain relief).

DDave gives this stuff

 

[Snappo]

I did an Oz of decarbed mids and an Oz of ABV in 99% rubbing alcohol. Tacky when used, but when it dried, no sticky feeling remained.

For my friend with Shingles, she ranked it up with any prescription meds she'd been given for pain relief.
For my wife, back aches, neck aches, sore feet, etc... one application took care of them all, needing no further applications.

And what I noticed, my hands felt awesome, should I have been the one who applied the topical.

There was a definite odor of the herb, even after it dries. So advise addition of a fragrant herb that would help cover.... or in the case of pain, something like mint that could actually aid in what was trying to be accomplished (pain relief).

DDave gives this stuff

Outstanding informative thread! Thanks to all!

 

[hafalump]

How much alcohol did you use with the oz of abv and the oz of fresh decarb?

 

[DDave]

How much alcohol did you use with the oz of abv and the oz of fresh decarb?

I used the rule of thumb that I've seen in most other recipes involving the use of some type of alcohol. Just enough to cover the herbs, then about 1/4 of an inch.

 

[Snappo]

I used the rule of thumb that I've seen in most other recipes involving the use of some type of alcohol. Just enough to cover the herbs, then about 1/4 of an inch.

I let it soak in the freezer for unGodly amounts of time ...4+weeks, shaking vigorously every day several times a day, filter, then evaporate to desired consistency - POWERFUL & Effective!

 

[DDave]

I let it soak in the freezer for unGodly amounts time ...4+weeks, shaking vigorously every day several times a day, filter, then evaporate to desired consistency - POWERFUL & Effective!

@Snappo, how was the color and odor of your end product? Mine was dark and had a distinct ABV smell.

 

[Snappo]

@Snappo, how was the color and odor of your end product? Mine was dark and had a distinct ABV smell.

Actually, I used very little ABV relative to the decarbed ground buds. The color is dark green and it has a very herbal aroma & flavor (somewhat bitter, but that's how I love my beers!). Love it! I split the batch in two: one for tincture, and one for topical application - both VERY potent, effective, and pleasurable. This is, bottom line, my version of the famous Green Dragon tincture - Everclear high-proof only. I'll never do it any other way - it's the best IME!

 

[killick]

This is, bottom line, my version of the famous Green Dragon tincture - Everclear high-proof only. I'll never do it any other way - it's the best IME!

I've been wondering the best way to 'preserve' any extra herb, and an EC tincture seems to be the smartest option! Once it's in this state I can't see any reason you couldn't add it to most anything - drinks, creams, salad dressing - whatever is helpful.

I tried making a few different creams but find them to still be sticky. I'm considering adding a strong tincture to a tube of something like Voltarin, which I find soaks in really quick. I had a pharmacy-made diclophenac cream a few years ago, but it was like trying to spread hard grease, was sticky for days after (had to wrap up whatever was coated in cling film after applying it). I still have it, but it's due to be tossed...

 

[hafalump]

I just pulled my shoulder shoveling snow, and have pretty intense pain
If I am just using abv and iso 91% how long do I need to soak?
@Snappo , Crikey I could really use that, to painful to vape, no eddibles.
Gonna be a looooong night.

Edit:Just found a scrap of canna butter, corn muffin in toaster, cmon toaster, like watching water boil.

 

[farscaper]

if I may share my experience... iso may not be the best choice... 91-99% iso will actually dry your skin out as opposed to soak in it pulls moisture out and can (on some sensitive people like me] cause almost a chemical burn effect...

coconut oil would be a better choice since It has the ability to absorb into the skin. also the fat content in the coconut oil aids in the transmission of cannabinoids from the oil into your skin.

using abv is also a good choice since the pain relief cannabinoids are often in the higher vape temp spectrum... plus a nice decarboxylation has been performed during vapirization.

ethanol can also be used but I have found that fatty oils aid in absorption better than alcohols.

 

[ChippyMalone]

I'm very late to this discussion, but I have been toying with the idea of using dmso as a carrier to get cannabinoids to pass through the skin.

 

[mestizo]

How can cannabinoids be effective if there are no THC receptors in the skin?
I remember Mark Emery doing an experiment where he rubbed his body with cannabis oil and had no effect whatsoever.

 

[ChippyMalone]

How can cannabinoids be effective if there are no THC receptors in the skin?
I remember Mark Emery doing an experiment where he rubbed his body with cannabis oil and had no effect whatsoever.

The intent is to get the medicine through the skin to the living tissues below, and that is a difficult task. And that may require the help of something that can pass through like dmso?

The various, medicated patches I use do show that complex molecules can pass through the skin and affect tissues beneath.

 

[mestizo]

The intent is to get the medicine through the skin to the living tissues below, and that is a difficult task. And that may require the help of something that can pass through like dmso?

The various, medicated patches I use do show that complex molecules can pass through the skin and affect tissues beneath.

Understood, but will the THC have any physical effect under the skin?
I thought it had to reach the brain receptors to have any effect on you.

 

[ChippyMalone]

Understood, but will the THC have any physical effect under the skin?
I thought it had to reach the brain receptors to have any effect on you.

I'm not trying to get high. I'm trying to relieve neurological pain where I had major spinal surgery. I'm not thinking clearly tonight, so I'll have to rely on someone to clarify, but our body had another kind of cannabinoid receptor in regular cells that could Msybe be reached by a topical but not that will get you high.