ProView – Pachamama CBD Icy Muscle Gel

As an avid skier, cyclist, and burgeoning trail runner in my mid 30s, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to hurt myself. A ski crash in 2019 left me with chronic neck stiffness. This summer, an overly zealous mountain bike jump dislocated my thumb and ended my mountain biking season. Thus I was compelled to begin trail running 15 to 25 miles at a time to fulfill my need for physical exertion and immersion in the natural world. It’s been a sore summer, managing old and new injuries and pushing my unaccustomed body to run for hours. I wanted pain management solutions other than drugstore options, but hadn’t been blown away CBD products I’d tried fleetingly. However, the Pachamam brand seems quite successful and popular so I was cautiously optimistic to give the CBD Icy Muscle Gel a try.

Application

At first I thought the roller applicator was unnecessary, but after using it a few times I realized I quite liked it. Unlike pump or squeeze bottles, you can rub this in and minutes later touch that spot without instantly regretting your life decisions.

Aroma

The herby menthol aroma is strong, but not overpowering. It’s not something I would use without permission in a car full of people, but I found it to be pleasant. I would, however, recommend to avoid using it on your neck and then laying down to read a book: the menthol wafts to one’s eyeballs where it is generally unwelcome.

Effectiveness 

I’ll admit to being incredulous of the topical CBD craze. While I can’t say that this product outperforms non-CBD muscle freeze products because I haven’t done a side-by-side test, I can confirm that it does exactly what it claims: to temporarily relieve minor joint and muscle aches and pains. I found it to be especially effective on my neck. It was also quite pleasant on my lower back and hamstrings after particularly high activity days. In using it on my knees (sore from running), thumb (sore from violent joint displacement), and elbow (sore from lingering tendonitis), I noticed a small effect, but not nearly so soothing as on my muscles.

Duration

I was impressed that the effects lasted for at least an hour, specifically when I used it on my neck. For whatever reason, the tingly sensation didn’t last as long on my hamstrings, back, or joints.

Friendliness to the Earth 

Packaging: 5 stars for recycled paper packaging. The only plastic was a bit of tape and the shipping label on the exterior of the box.

Company affiliations: Among Pachamama’s most valued partnerships are natural food stores (makes sense) as well as a conglomerate of private clubs which seem to largely include golf and country clubs, which are famously wasteful entities. So while the company ethos is – commendably – to protect and serve mother earth, their partnerships don’t necessarily fully reflect that.  

Social consciousness: The company was founded by two brothers who spend much of their time helping people become and remain sober: a commendable cause indeed. In terms of marketing, Pachamama + Chinese herbs + made in the USA reads to me as recruiting foreign cultures to exoticize the product. “Pachamama” means “mother earth” in Quechua, the language of an indigenous people of South America. From what I can see through their website, the company has no affiliation with Quechua or Chinese culture other than liking how it sounded. The practice of using indigenous words or traditions without acknowledgment is ubiquitous, but it doesn’t make it less cringey.

The Final Word 

For minor muscle or joint pain, even of the chronic variety, this topical muscle gel is a soothing balm. I was surprised that I began reaching for it on sore days, and not just for reviewing purposes. That must mean that it really does do what it claims.

Find Pachamama Pachamama CBD Icy Muscle Gel on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!