CBD (cannabidiol) is known for its many wellness benefits without the high of cannabis. Athletes and fitness buffs are using it to support their bodies and minds in various ways.
If CBD research were playing a baseball game, it would be in the first or second inning. We still have a ways to go to fully understand this cannabis compound, but it’s already in the running for MVP.
Here’s why runners, yogis, CrossFitters, and the whole fit fam are becoming raving fans of CBD oil.
It’s an all-too-common story: You’re pumped about a workout routine. You give it your all and have the best intentions, only to find you’re unable to move the next day. Sooo sore. Send protein shakes and heat packs.
Sure, a little bit of “good hurt” lets you know your workout is working. But it can really throw a wrench into your motivation. Who wants to hit the gym when you can barely get out of bed?
Working out causes muscle soreness because it creates microscopic tears in your muscles. That’s why they call it getting ripped.
Your body’s natural response is to send in a fresh supply of blood to heal the area. This builds on your existing muscles. And that’s why they call it making gains. This response also causes inflammation.
Research has identified that CBD can make a big difference in your recovery for two reasons.
CBD delivers a 1-2 punch to sore muscles — the good kind of punch.
Ask anyone who’s worked out or played sports for a considerable chunk of time, and he or she probably has a story of “That time I got injured.”
For the same reasons CBD helps recover muscle soreness, it can be a part of the injury recovery process. But the benefits of CBD for athletes out of commission don’t end there.
Concussions used to be shrugged off by professional and student-athletes, but doctors now know these traumatic brain injuries can have lasting negative effects. The initial head injury sets off a chain of events that lead to neurochemical changes.
These changes can cause conditions that affect quality of life and life expectancy. Studies conducted on animals suggest that CBD has neuroprotective properties. That hints at the potential for CBD to intervene with neurochemical changes brought on by brain injuries.
For fitness professionals and enthusiasts alike, the recovery process can trigger stress and anxiety. When can I get back to the gym? How much progress am I losing? What if I’m letting people down?
Reduced stress and anxiety are commonly reported by CBD users, and research suggests therapeutic applications of CBD for anxiety disorders. All signs point to CBD as a potential recovery tool for the mind as much as the body.
Healing bones? Sounds like something straight out of a Harry Potter novel. It turns out that CBD might be an active ingredient in Hogwarts’ supply of Skele-Gro.
CBD works within the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate bone mass. A study that measured how CBD affects the healing process of broken bones found that it sped things up.
So if you broke a bone playing football, soccer, or quidditch, CBD could have you back on the field (or broomstick) faster.
You know what they say. It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.
Giving it your all means taking care of your body and mind outside of the gym and off the field. Taking CBD could help handle the variables that affect your physical and mental performance.
It can relieve pain. Pain can be distracting and limit mobility. CBD may help manage chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as occasional aches and pains.
CBD can help you keep your head in the game.Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that regulate chemicals responsible for mood and memory in humans and animals. Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid (a cannabinoid that comes from plants). Phytocannabinoids can take on the role of endocannabinoids, triggering and boosting the chemicals that help you stay focused.
Rest up with CBD. Nerves and anxiety can do a number on sleep. Working out or hitting the field while fatigued could lead to injury as well as poor performance. Because of how CBD works in the body, it could help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and have better sleep quality. That’s a win-win-win for you!
Everybody is different, so some of CBD’s other properties could also be beneficial to your performance.
Just like your workout, consistency is key to getting results from CBD. But unlike supplements designed for pre- or post-workout, you can incorporate CBD where and however it works best for you.
You can even mix and match products to find the most effective combination for your goals.
Disclaimer: The FDA doesn’t classify CBD as a supplement, but some sports leagues and commissions may consider it to be a performance-enhancing supplement or drug. CBD products can also containTHC, which could lead to a failed drug test. If you’re a professional athlete or aspiring to be, you should confirm that CBD is permitted in your organization before you use it.
When you’re after results, the last thing you want to do is waste your money and effort. So look for these signs of quality and effectiveness when shopping for CBD products.
In case you weren’t keeping score, that’s purity, broad-spectrum, and bioavailability — score, score, score! (You can practically hear the crowd’s roaring chants of Olé, Olé, Olé!)
CBD’s a natural way to bolster your training and fitness routine. Its versatile properties make it an all-in-one for easing pain, healing injuries, and supporting healthy habits and practices. That translates to better performance and strong motivation.
Go for the gold with your CBD routine. Bring a pure and effective product onto your team and stay consistent for max results.
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