How Topical Hemp Creams Work (No THC, No High)

Sharon Sinclair
Jan 6
2 min read

A clear, non-confusing explanation you can trust

If you’ve ever hesitated to try a hemp cream because you’re worried about THC or psychoactive effects, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I hear — especially from first-time customers at markets.

Let’s clear this up simply and honestly.

Topical hemp creams work on the surface and local tissue of the body, not through the bloodstream. That’s why they don’t produce a “high,” and why many people prefer them as a plant-based alternative to oral products.

What Hemp Extract Is — and What It Isn’t

Hemp extract comes from the industrial hemp plant, a legal variety of cannabis that contains only trace amounts of THC.

In topical products:

Hemp extract is used externally
It does not enter the bloodstream
It does not reach the brain
It does not cause intoxication

This makes topical hemp creams fundamentally different from ingestible cannabis or CBD products.

Hemp plant used for topical wellness products

Why Topical Hemp Creams Don’t Make You High

When a cream is applied to the skin, it works locally — meaning it stays in the area where it’s applied.

The skin acts as a natural barrier. While certain beneficial plant compounds can interact with receptors in the skin and underlying tissue, they do not cross into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts.

This is why topical hemp creams:

Do not affect mental clarity
Do not alter perception
Do not cause psychoactive effects

Diagram showing how topical creams work on the skin

How Topical Hemp Creams Actually Work

The skin contains a network of receptors that respond to plant-based compounds. When a hemp cream is applied, it interacts with these receptors right where you apply it.

People often describe the experience as:

A sense of comfort in the area
Relaxation of tight or overworked muscles
A soothing or warming sensation

Because the effect is localized, many people use topical hemp creams as part of their daily wellness or recovery routine.

Applying topical hemp cream to hands for comfort

Topical vs Ingestible Hemp Products

Topical hemp creams:

Work locally
Do not circulate through the body
Do not affect the nervous system
Are often preferred by people who want targeted support

Ingestible Products

Travel through the digestive system
Enter the bloodstream
Affect the entire body
Are subject to very different regulations

This is why topical hemp products are widely used by people who want plant-based support without systemic effects.

Difference between topical and ingestible hemp products

Why I Chose Hemp Extract for My Creams

When I began formulating my own topical creams, I wanted something:

Gentle
Effective when applied locally
Appropriate for daily use
Easy to understand and explain to customers

Hemp extract met those criteria.

Every jar of Sharon’s Magic Cream is designed to be used externally as part of a personal wellness routine — without the confusion or concern that often surrounds cannabis products.

This is the same explanation I share with customers in person, and it’s why so many people feel comfortable using topical hemp creams for the first time.