Transdermal CBD Gel Trampled My Pain

A good friend was sharing her positive experiences with transdermal patches, and she whipped out the Mary’s Medicinals transdermal gel pens that she uses to boost the effects of the patches. The lotion-like gel is what gave me my initial first-hand experience with a transdermal CBD application.

Besides the pens, Mary’s Medicinals also makes transdermal patches in several formulas – THC Sativa, THC Indica, CBD, and more. Mary’s makes transdermal gel pens in similar formulas. Each pen dispenses a measured amount of medicated gel, that is similar in consistency to a skin lotion.

Mary's Medicinals Transdermal Gel Pens

I was experiencing severe pain in my left wrist, unable to support any weight with it in several different positions.  Traditional pain relievers (advil, aspirin, tylenol) didn’t make much of a dent in the pain. I tried ingesting THC and CBD tinctures which provided some general relief but didn’t target the pain. It had gone on for weeks and I was about to make an appointment with my doctor to see if it was arthritis or something more serious.

My friend suggested I try the transdermal lotion. I rubbed a nickel-sized portion of the CDB lotion on my wrist and within an hour the pain was completely gone. I have had no sign of the pain since then and it has been over 6 months. From that point on, I have been an advocate for transdermal CBD application. Whether as a topical gel or in transdermal patches, it works especially well for pain that is specific to one area.

My pain was likely from inflammation, which CBD can be great at reducing. I have also used the CBD gel rubbed on my temples to reduce headache pain or on the back of my neck at the base of the skull when I feel tension built up there. The great thing about the pen is that it dispenses small portions so it easier to control how much you use.

For general aches and pains, edibles and tinctures are fantastic. For pain in specific areas, transdermal gels and patches provide more targeted relief.

Read more about Mary’s Transdermal Pens and patches, including one of our favorites for sleep, Mary’s CBN transdermal patch.

Green Hornet Sativa, Indica & Hybrid Cannabis Gummies Review

From CheebaChew comes Green Hornet, a line of cannabis infused gummies. It’s great that they have a Sativa specific product, so consumers know what types of effect they are likely to experience. Like most adult-use edibles they come in a package of 10 pieces, each with 10mg of THC.

I found the package very difficult to open, so if you have limited mobility with your hands, arthritis or just a low boiling point, plan to get the scissors out so you can cut this bag open and store the edibles in a child-proof container that is easier to open.

Flavor – Hated It.

The Sativa gummies are Mixed fruit flavor. I am not a fan of the artificial cherry flavor that is prominent. It reminds me of cherry cough drops or that awful tasting cherry flavor some dentists use to clean your teeth. The other fruit flavors are indistinct to me, a mix of generic citrus, possibly some artificial pineapple flavor, it’s hard to tell. The dominant flavor is the cherry, which I find unappealing. It lingers as an artificial aftertaste even when the gummy dissolves. It does cover up most of the cannabis oil flavor, but I would rather taste the oil than the flavors used in this gummy.

Besides artificial flavors, these gummies contain artificial colors, carnuaba wax, and gelatin. They are free from dairy, gluten and fat, but are not all natural or vegan.

Effects

I definitely felt “stoned” with these edibles, so the strength is there. I didn’t experience most of the usual effects I expect with Sativa edibles – uplifted mood, energy and creativity. I just felt high with no impact on mood, no extra energy and without feeling especially “up”.

I found the effects to be more of a Hybrid type effect than a pure Sativa effect. It was a somewhat dreamy, spacey high. Perfect for just hanging out with friends, watching a movie or taking a bath. I was able to relax and space out. I did not have couch lock or become non functional, so it was not a heavy Indica type effect. I would not want to have to concentrate on anything while using these, I found them too spacey for that. They could be good for creative activities where you just let your mind wander. I’m not sure I would want to cook something where I had to follow a recipe as I felt too spacey for that.

I did have heightened senses and strong food cravings, aka the munchies. Food tasted great and was extra enjoyable to eat. These gummies would be great for anyone who is trying to boost their appetite. Beyond that and the stoned feeling, I did not experience much of any other effects even after repeated tests.

Conclusion

There are so many cannabis infused edible gummies on the market that taste better and provide effects I find more desirable, that these won’t make my regular rotation. If you are not put off by an artificial cherry/generic fruit taste and you are looking for a straight up stoned feeling, these gummies may be great for you.

I like the Cheeba Chews brand and like their original product line. I also do like very much that they make these Green Hornet THC gummies with specific Sativa, Indica, Hybrid types. The flavor and the effects are not a good match for me, but if the taste and effects sound good to you, consider giving them a try as they certainly have an impact.

Taste: 2

Strength : 6

Website: https://cheebachews.com


ZootDrops Premium Cannabis Infused Concentrate – Sativa High Energy “Yippee Ki-Yay” Mandarin Lime Flavored Blend Review

ZootDrops are a cannabis-infused liquid that can be added to drinks or taken straight. The cap is used to measure out one dose (1/2 teaspoon), which provides 5mg of THC. The green coffee bean extract and green tea in the Sativa High Energy Blend give this “drinkable” a real caffeine punch, that along with the THC produces an amazing, uplifting high.

ZootDrops

The Mandarin Lime High Energy Blend ZootDrops are sugar free, vegan, gluten free and contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. They contain 100mg THC per bottle and have a child-resistant measuring cap. You can mix ZootDrops concentrates with any favorite drink like tea, lemonade, soda or you can put it directly under your tongue.

The Sativa Concentrate looks like cloudy orange juice. The cap is similar to the top of a Visine bottle. Very easy to measure dosing. It’s a good idea to rinse off the cap after pouring, as it could get very sticky.

I tried it straight, no mixer to get a taste of the product by itself. It had the distinct taste of bottled mandarin orange juice plus lime with a strong medicinal flavor. I mixed it in orange juice and was unable to detect any medicinal taste.

ZootDrops are very potent, so as with any new THC product you ingest, start with half of your normal dose. Normally 10 mg of THC provides the effects I prefer. I only used 5mg the first time trying ZootDrops and I was glad I did. I usually drink coffee or something with caffeine to help boost absorption of edibles. I am sensitive to caffeine and have at most 2 cups of coffee in one day. I felt a strong caffeinated effect just from the half a dose, as I already had half a cup of coffee in my system. I appreciated the energy and focus, though caffeine can produce an “edgy” feeling for me when I have too much, and that is what I started to feel. I stopped drinking the coffee and just let the ZootDrops do their thing, so I wasn’t uncomfortable, just felt a bit hyper-caffeinated. the effects subsided after a few hours.

I tried a 7.5mg dose next, using a measuring spoon to get 3/4 of a teaspoon. I had noticeable effects and had energy for a nice long walk. When I tried a full dose, I did so without caffeine as I think it would be too much for me. One serving contains the same amount of caffeine as half an espresso shot, so a full 10mg dose for me contained a full espresso shot and it feels like it.

ZootDrops Cannabis-Infused High Energy Sativa Blend Mandarin Lime flavor

It can take up to two hours to feel the effects of these concentrates, so be patient. Don’t up your dose because you don’t think it’s working.

After 20 minutes I could feel the caffeine buzz. By 70 minutes, I began to have a light buzz. Then I felt elevated in the most enjoyable way. Like the Zoots nuggets, this was a very up, happy high.

The high lasted 2 hours. There weren’t any munchies from this concentrate. When I tried this Concentrate again, I felt the same euphoric buzz. It was calming and uplifting at the same time. The second time I tried ZootDrops the high lasted a little over 2 hours.

ZootDrops Premium Cannabis Infused Concentrate is really convenient, just mix with your favorite drink. The small size makes it easy to take on the road and the self contained serving size cap means you can measure out a dose anywhere, even without a measuring spoon.

We recommend ZootDrops. The high is euphoric and consistent. The dosing is simple and I have never had a better glass of orange juice! Energetic nirvana is within reach!

Zoots edibles are available at licensed marijuana retailers in Illinois, Washington, Colorado and Massachusetts.

Strength: 8

Flavor: 6

Website: https://www.ionicbrands.com/our-brands

Love’s Oven Peanut Butter Cannabis Brownies Review

The last time I visited my local dispensary they had just finished stocking up a bunch of new edibles. I always ask my friendly budtender for recommendations. Her first suggestion was Love’s Oven Baked Peanut Butter Brownies. I’ve tried their Baklava before and loved it. So, I bought a container of Peanut Butter Brownies as well as another Baklava one and happily drove home.

Love’s Oven Baked Peanut Butter Brownies are individually wrapped pieces in 10mg doses. This is strain specific Sativa. The dose is a small rectangle that is very crumbly. The Brownies had just a hint of peanut butter. I was expecting a stronger, nutty taste. There’s also mild medicinal taste that’s not off-putting.

Loves Oven Peanut Butter Brownies

They use gluten-free flour, so there is no wheat or gluten in these brownies. They do contain dairy, so not suitable for vegans but okay for ovo-lacto vegetarians (vegetarians that consume dairy and eggs).

After one hour, Love’s Oven Baked Peanut Butter Brownies gave me an amazing, upbeat buzz. It’s great to find edibles that provide a euphoric high. The Peanut Butter Brownies provided a consistent, strong, heady high that lasted almost two hours. Throughout the time I felt active and energetic.

Loves Oven Peanut Butter Brownies in Package

Love’s Oven Baked Peanut Butter Brownies did give me the munchies. So be prepared, have a healthy snack supply ready!

It’s so important to ask your budtender’s recommendations and to be open to new edibles! I would definitely purchase more of Love’s Oven Baked Peanut Butter Brownies. The euphoric high is exactly what I look for in cannabis edibles.

Strength: 7

Taste: 7

Website: http://www.choosethelove.com

Doozies by Green Revolution Sativa Cannabis Gummies Review

Green Revolution’s line of Doozies edibles are cannabis gummies that come in nineteen different flavor and active ingredient combinations. The line comes in four different effect categories – fly, elevate, chill, and relief. For this review we chose on of the Fly products – the Goldenberry with Sativa Live Resin.

Each gummy has 10mg of THC and 0mg of CBD per serving, for a total of 100mg THC and 0mg of CBD per package.

These gummies are vegan friendly, gluten free, and kosher. They do not contain artificial coloring or flavoring, made with real fruit juice. They are dairy free, but they do contain coconut, so they are not nut free. No high fructose corn syrup, no soy and all natural.

The gummies are individually wrapped so they don’t stick together and travel well, though we don’t love extra packaging. These edibles are an unusual shape as you can see on the picture – an uneven cloud shape. Very cute but not easy to cut in half for a 5mg dose or in quarters for a 2.5mg dose. It isn’t too hard to cut them into thirds, but you would need a scale to properly divide one evenly. They are soft but not squishy and they are covered in sugar.

Dosing & Flavor

The smell from the individual bag is primarily a strong sour fruit and berry smell, as you would expect from a Goldenberry flavor. Unlike the Kiva Camino gummies which are smooth and see-through, these have a more of a fruit chew appearance and a sugar-covered texture. They are easy to bite through and melt in the mouth after a while in the same way as most gummies.

The flavors are somewhat sugar-forward since the outside of the gummies are coated with a sugary substance. They do have fruit flavor ingredients (pear juice and natural goldenberry flavor) so the taste is more of a natural fruit than an artificial and candy-type flavor. Primarily it is a nicely sour berry and fruit flavor, without any bad aftertaste or strong THC flavor. The citric acid gives these a suggestion of sourness and the fruit flavors suggest fruit. You wouldn’t think you are biting into a real berry but there isn’t the strong fake flavor found in other candies

As we always recommend with new edibles, try half of your usual dose before trying a full dose as you never know how strong something will effect you. The gummies are easy to cut or bite in half to give a 5mg dose of THC, then to split again for a 2.5mg dose. With all new to you edibles it’s important to try a partial dose first to see how you react.

Since I am experienced with edibles and my usual dose is 10mg of THC, I began with half of a half of one piece, with 5mg THC. After having only light effects for that trial run, I then moved closer to my usual dose on another day, taking one whole gummy for a total dose of 10mg THC. I sometimes use one and a one eighth pieces for a 12.5mg dose of THC when I want a stronger effect, or if I have recently eaten or if I’ve taken CBD, which can tamp down the effects.

Effects

Doozies use a blend of terpenes and cannbinoids for specific effects – their Sativa products are labeled “fly” for being uplifting. We are not sure how they differ from their “Elevate” product but will test them. According to their website, they employ “UNET technology for a faster, more consistent onset of effects than traditional edibles”.

The effects we experienced were closely aligned with the effects we’ve enjoyed with similar sativa gummies. Alertness and energy, along with a bit of heightened senses. The impacts were on the mild side for me, so after experimenting at low doses, we ended up trying a stronger dose to get our desired impact. As always, go slow and wait to judge the impacts at least an hour.

Enjoyable real fruit flavor profiles and mild but specific effects are what we experienced from Green Revolution’s Doozies gummies. They also make other edibles including pill-like tabs and drinks, as well as other cannabis products.

As of 2024, available only at retailers in California and Washington state

Taste: 7

Strength: 5

Website: https://greenrevolution.com/products/edibles/

Garden Society Sativa Cannabis-Infused Dark Chocolates Review

Garden Society’s Sativa cannabis-infused dark chocolates are vegan and gluten-free. They are infused with a Sativa strain of cannabis from the famous Mendocino County, California area. As one of the few vegan options in chocolate cannabis edibles, they are a welcome addition for folks who are eating in a more animal-friendly way. The product tag line is “Sativa for a Brighter Day” and they deliver.

My local dispensaries charges around $26 for a 100mg package, making it $2.60 for each 10mg serving of THC. An individual single-does package is $6.00, so while you may want to buy a few single doses to try them out, financially it makes better sense to buy the 100mg bag.

The bag is a standard two-handed pull apart resealable pouch. The bites are not individually wrapped so to keep them their freshest, make sure the package is properly resealed and kept them refrigerated.

Dosing & Flavor

The smell from the bag is a chocolatey spicy smell. The chocolates are nicely finished with a gold colored logo pattern. The squares are substantial and the insides have a nice medium texture that is soft to bite through. It’s great to let them slowly melt in your mouth, to really savor the chocolate spice flavors.

Flavored with Ceylon cinnamon, cayenne pepper and organic New Mexico chili powder, these chocolates have a nicely mild spice level. As someone who loves spicy foods and has a tolerance for them, I found the spice level mild, but it may be closer to medium for folks who are sensitive to peppery heat.

The flavor is chocolatey and doesn’t have any bad aftertaste or strong cannabis taste. They taste of natural ingredients with no artificial flavor taste.

As we always recommend with new edibles, try half of your usual dose before trying a full dose as you never know how strong something will effect you. The chocolate squares are pretty easy to cut or bite in half to give a 5mg THC dose. Even being experienced with edibles and with a usual dose of 10mg of THC, I always began with a 5mg THC dose since you never know how your body will react with new cannabis edibles. After waiting over two hours and having only light effects for that trial run, on a different day I moved to my usual full dose of 10mg.

Effects

I appreciate edibles that are labeled specifically with Sativa, Indica or Hybrid, as they give me a better idea of what effects to expect. The effects I experienced were what I would expect from a Sativa strain, mostly mental stimulation and less physical impacts. I found these bites provided a mild physical relaxation without hardly any “stoned” feeling.

The effects for me were an energetic effect, mentally stimulating and put me in an elevated mood. That combined well with the mildly relaxed physical impacts to help me get some things done around the house without being too spaced out to accomplish anything. I also didn’t experience the “over-caffeinated” effects I get with some Sativa edibles. It was a nice uplifted feeling with a positive mood boost and motivated energy.

For me, these are perfect for the daytime, or anytime you want some extra energy and mood lift. They could be good for socializing, as I didn’t experience any anxiety or anti-social feelings. They definitely have a good strength level, so I wouldn’t take more than my usual dose. I did find the effects supported creativity, so I could see doing creative work on these edibles, as long as I avoided any activity that doesn’t go well with being impaired – I wouldn’t weld metal or blow glass on these, for example.

An excellent choice if you’re looking for natural ingredients, in a delicious vegan, gluten free cannabis chocolate edible. These chocolate squares satisfy the sweet tooth and provide an pleasantly uplifted experience. A creative elevation experience in a vegan package.

Taste: 7

Strength: 8

Website: The Garden Society