Why Cannabis Topicals Outperform Voltaren and Icy Hot for Muscle Recovery

When dealing with sore muscles, stiff backs and/or a tight neck, it’s not uncommon for someone to reach for products like Voltaren or Icy Hot. While these over-the-counter formulas have been household staples for decades, their ingredients only provide temporary relief by masking pain rather than addressing the underlying reasons.

Cannabis topicals, in contrast, are changing the game of muscle recovery. By leveraging the body’s Endocannabinoid System, cannabis topicals go beyond surface-level symptom relief and offer a more targeted, holistic approach to muscle recovery.

Here’s why cannabis topicals will outperform traditional topicals in reducing pain and enhancing muscle recovery, making you unstoppable.

Cannabinoids Work With Your Body—Not Against It

Traditional topicals like Icy Hot or Voltarin work using two mechanisms:

Voltaren (diclofenac) reduces inflammation by blocking enzymes involved in the body’s anti-inflammatory responses.

Icy Hot uses ingredients like menthol and methyl salicylate to “trick” nerve receptors by creating hot/cold sensations that distract the brain from pain

While these mechanisms may provide temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying issues between your body and its recovery systems.

Cannabis topicals, on the contrary, work directly with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS)— a complex bodily system that helps to control functions such as sleep, inflammation, and muscle recovery. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD bind to CB1, CB2, and TRP receptors located in the skin, muscles, and peripheral nerves, encouraging the body to balance its systems and reduce inflammation.

Localized Relief Without Harmful Side Effects

One of the main disadvantages of traditional pain-relief products is the side effects that come along with them. Consider Voltaren, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which, when used regularly, has been shown to have negative impacts on the stomach, liver, kidneys and cardiovascular health– side effects increasing in athletes and those trying to manage pain.

On the other hand, cannabis topicals are non-systemic. This means the cannabinoids don’t enter the bloodstream, and you can achieve powerful, localized relief without negatively impacting the rest of your body. This makes them ideal for daily use for individuals looking for faster recovery or managing chronic inflammation.

Superior For Wellness and Longevity

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those who enjoy an active lifestyle require recovery products that support the body in the long term. Cannabis topicals do so by:

• Easing muscle tension and cramps
• Speeding up the body’s natural healing process
• Reduce pain and inflammation post-workout
• Provide safe and consistent relief without side effects

Meanwhile, products like Icy Hot simply distract you from the discomfort you’re feeling.

The Entourage Effect

Unlike Voltaren, which uses a single active ingredient, cannabis topicals can have a variety of different cannabinoids and terpenes, creating an entourage effect.

THC – utilizes pain receptors to provide deeper relief

CBD – eases muscle tensions and reduces inflammation

Combined with plant compounds (ie; peppermint, camphor, rosemary), topicals such as Arctic Heat by Stewart Farms provide a more comprehensive approach to recovery, helping you become the most unstoppable version of yourself.