Athletes say this CBDA topical can make bruises fade overnight

Scientifically reviewed by Codi Peterson, PharmD

CBDA could be a gamechanger for professional and amateur athletes alike (illustrative Photo by Alora Griffiths on Unsplash)

Despite being touted as a wonder drug, CBD doesn’t work for everyone, and many clinicians are now leaning into other cannabinoids. There’s some speculation that CBDA may work well topically, but since there is so little known, how do we find out for sure?

Indeed, more clinical research is needed as most of what we know at this point is from lab and animal studies. And along with research, real-world data can help us understand how topical products infused with minor cannabinoids could help with various aches and pains.

That’s why Kriva recruited 150 Cannigma readers to try the Daily Wellness Body Lotion and report back on their experiences over a 4-week data collection period – stay tuned for results in early 2024.

Since making the product available 2020, the brand has received reports from athletes that the lotion makes muscle and joint pain more tolerable, and helps bruises disappear overnight – or even prevents them from forming in the first place.

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What’s the difference between CBD and CBDA?

CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), is the precursor to CBD. In other words, CBD starts as CBDA (which starts as CBGA… but that’s another story) and transforms into its neutral form via decarboxylation. While decarboxylation usually happens from intentional heat exposure, it can also occur naturally over time, via exposure to light and/or oxygen. Similarly, THCA is the acid form of the dominant cannabinoid in most cannabis flower, THC. So while CBD is the better known of the cannabinoids, it’s really CBDA that the plant makes (and that Kriva extracts with no heat or solvents – just cold water!)

While there are minor chemical distinctions between the CBD and CBDA molecules, their potential therapeutic applications are quite similar, including for pain, inflammation, seizures, cancer-related symptoms, anxiety, and nausea. In children, CBD has long been established as a valuable tool in managing seizure disorders, so there’s also growing interest in checking if CBDA could be useful in combating epilepsy, too. ¹²

So why put CBDA in a body lotion?

*Kriva’s Daily Wellness Body Lotion contains 255 mg of CBDA, equivalent to 2550 mg of CBD*

When it comes to consuming acid cannabinoids, smoking and vaping are out of the question, as heat exposure would convert CBDA or THCA into their neutral forms – CBD and THC. Of the common cannabis consumption methods, this leaves oral and topical applications, as the acidic cannabinoids can be absorbed as is. While the science is still behind explored, it appears that CBDA does not interact directly with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors like other cannabinoids such as THC, but rather acts via other receptors in the body such as the serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and certain sensory-oriented TRP channels. ³⁴

The addition of terpenes add another layer to the formulation, potentially delivering their own benefits while likely improving penetration of the CBDA and other ingredients deeper into the skin. As well as CBDA, the Daily Wellness Body lotion utilizes moisturizing ingredients to promote skin hydration and healing, meaning the cream can be applied multiple times per day as needed for dry or damaged skin. ⁵

What makes Kriva’s Daily Wellness Lotion stand out?

Kriva’s Daily Wellness Lotion was formulated by a team of industry experts, including physicians, nurses, a cosmetic pharmacist, and even a metaphysical doctor (yep! Pendulum and all!), to bring the wisdom of a variety of wellness fields into one little bottle. The formulation, which meets the highest CPG standards, contains grapeseed oil and shea butter for moisturizing, and chicory root oligosaccharides (complex sugars) to feed the natural microbiome on the skin, and is infused with a plant-derived aromatherapeutic terpene blend to enhance penetration, promote relaxation and counter that tell-tale hempy smell.

And it’s not just the cannabinoids in this lotion that are intentionally selected and individually tested – every ingredient goes through both lab testing and patch testing. Lab reports confirm that the unique, water-based extraction method used by Kriva keeps the extraction process clean, with no pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, and never the need to remediate.

For those who are worried about THC exposure – which unfortunately is still an issue for some professional athletes in many parts of the world – Kriva uses a broad spectrum extraction technique, so there’s no chance you’re going to accidentally test positive for THC from using this product.

Who uses Kriva’s Daily Wellness Lotion?

While anyone who gets aches and pains from time to time – so, anyone with a body – can use Kriva’s Daily Wellness Lotion, it’s professional athletes, weekend warriors, and spartan racers who are really getting into it. From bruises that fade overnight (or never show up in the first place) to fast muscle recovery and relief from inflammation and arthritic pain, the anecdotal reports are stacking up to give a picture of a product that works.

But as we have said before, anecdotal reports are not enough. More data is needed to understand the efficacy of CBDA in general, and products like this specifically. This is why Kriva is participating in our series of data collection campaigns to discover how the Daily Wellness Lotion works in everyday life.

Get a free topical, share your experience, and help advance real-world data

When it comes to gathering real-world data, it takes a village. That’s why we’re partnering with leading cannabis and CBD brands like Kriva, who provide their products for free, and with data and software company MoreBetter, creators of the Releaf App, who guides participants through a 3-4-week engagement. This particular Pathfinder investigation is now underway, and aims to uncover the effects and utility of Kriva’s flagship lotion.

Sources

Formato, M., Crescente, G., Scognamiglio, M., Fiorentino, A., Pecoraro, M. T., Piccolella, S., Catauro, M., & Pacifico, S. (2020). (‒)-Cannabidiolic Acid, a Still Overlooked Bioactive Compound: An Introductory Review and Preliminary Research. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(11), 2638. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112638
Goerl B, Watkins S, Metcalf C, Smith M, Beenhakker M. Cannabidiolic acid exhibits entourage-like improvements of anticonvulsant activity in an acute rat model of seizures. Epilepsy Res. 2021;169:106525. doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106525
Muller, C., Morales, P., & Reggio, P. H. (2019). Cannabinoid Ligands Targeting TRP Channels. Frontiers in molecular neuroscience, 11, 487. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2018.00487
Walsh KB, McKinney AE, Holmes AE. Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:777804. Published 2021 Nov 29. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.777804
Chen, J., Jiang, Q. D., Chai, Y. P., Zhang, H., Peng, P., & Yang, X. X. (2016). Natural Terpenes as Penetration Enhancers for Transdermal Drug Delivery. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 21(12), 1709. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21121709