Because of its numerous potential therapeutic characteristics, such as faster muscle recovery, pain reduction, and enhanced sleep, many sportspersons and fitness trainers are resorting to cannabidiol (CBD) as a supplement to enhance their performance. For the time being, CBD is still regarded safe by the US Anti-Doping Agency, raising the question of whether commercial claims that CBD improves performance are accurate.
Though most CBD research shows positive outcomes, the data are still varied, and there aren’t many high-quality trials. Furthermore, the CBD boom exaggerates its advantages, and there are several questions regarding the quality of CBD products. In any event, it’s worth reviewing the facts to see if CBD may improve your workouts or if you should avoid it.
CBD: What Is It?
What is CBD? CBD stands for Cannabidiol, which is one of many chemicals found in Cannabis sativa plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is another active compound in the cannabis plant. THC is well-known for its psychoactive effects, but CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound that offers the same benefits as THC without the “stoned” feeling. CBD is often extracted from industrial hemp, a plant grown for its edible seeds. However, it can also come from marijuana and contain THC.
CBD can be found in many forms. You can choose from capsules and pills, creams or lotions, oils, tinctures, edibles, vape pens, and creams and tablets. You should first read all information about CBD that you can find online. Also, consult your doctor to determine the recommended dosage.
Although CBD is legal in many countries, not enough research has proven that it provides relief for all conditions. Many people have reported CBD’s ability to treat anxiety disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia. It also helps with pain relief, sleep, side effects, cancer treatments, insomnia, and other conditions.
CBD for Exercise: What Can It Do?
An increasing amount of data suggests plausible links of CBD for exercise; however, these links are indirect. Here’s what the research presently says about CBD and its fitness-related qualities.
CBD May Help With Pain and Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to damage and misery. CBD has been shown in studies to have anti-inflammatory properties. CBD has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, according to a 2020 assessment of research. Reduced inflammation typically corresponds to less pain. However, research on the direct association between CBD and pain is limited.
Researchers also determined in 2020 that CBD may have anti-inflammatory effects that might be effective in treating common illnesses, but “there is a paucity of high-quality, innovative studies evaluating the use of CBD in human musculoskeletal diseases.”
One large-scale evaluation of studies published in 2018 examined data from 1975 to 2018 and found that the evidence for CBD as a pain treatment is positive overall. However, the majority of study on this issue suggests that further human research is needed to understand the benefits of CBD on pain and inflammation.
CBD Can Assist You in Sleeping
CBD and sleep study have given conflicting results, as has CBD and pain studies. According to a 2017 study, CBD may be helpful in the treatment of sleep disorders such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a disease in which patients act out their dreams while sleeping.
Because CBD may lower cortisol levels, it may aid in the relaxation and sleep of anxious persons. Although raw cannabis flower has been demonstrated to promote sleep, CBD alone is unlikely to have the same effect.
CBD for Muscle Recovery
If you’re wondering “does CBD relax muscles?”, it does! CBD may aid muscle rehabilitation since it can help you sleep better and reduce inflammation. Because most tissue regeneration happens during sleep, increased sleep mixed with CBD’s anti-inflammatory benefits makes this cannabis-derived substance a viable contender for a muscle recovery supplement.
CBD Can Help With Stress and Anxiety
If you are nervous before sports or contests, attempting a new one-rep-max, or beginning on a black diamond biking route, CBD can help calm your nerves and give you the confidence you need to face your next big challenge.
Though further study is required (as expected), a case series published in 2019 found that CBD has potential as a therapy for anxiety. Many additional studies back up this conclusion, and it’s worth a go if you feel like your anxieties are holding you back from reaching your full athletic potential.
Can CBD Boost Athletic Performance?
This is where things start to go wrong. While there is emerging evidence to support the four possible CBD advantages listed above, there is little scientific data to support the idea that CBD directly enhances physical performance or athletic ability.
Because CBD was recently approved (federally; many states still have a long way to go), experts found it difficult to research and analyze it. Over three years after the government withdrew CBD from the Schedule 1 list, it hasn’t been well researched for its performance-enhancing effects. The research we have on other elements of CBD, such as its impact on sleep or pain, is far more extensive.
The argument is that there isn’t enough evidence to conclude that CBD increases fitness or sports performance.
Be wary of CBD products that claim to boost athletic performance. Do your homework on CBD products to ensure you obtain a pure and robust product since diluted CBD is a waste of money, and contaminants might cause you to fail a drug test. Also, remember that clinical trials frequently employ more dosages of CBD than what is available on the market, so items you purchase may not have the same benefits as those seen in research studies.
CBD Can Increase Your Motivation to Exercise
According to new research from UC Boulder, over half of pre-workout smokers thought that getting high increased their enthusiasm to exercise. Anecdotally, CBD appears to aid best before and during endurance activity.
According to experts, CBD before workout may stimulate that runner’s high sensation, which may seem paradoxical given the sluggish stoner reputation. Exercise produces that euphoric feeling by activating your endocannabinoid receptors, which are linked to the reward and dopamine pathways in the brain. Because marijuana cannabinoids also stimulate these receptors, taking THC may provide an artificial runner’s high, making you seek more of the sensation by way of going out.
CBD After Workout
Although no research has been done on cannabis and the effects of hard training on pain and inflammation, preliminary data suggests that cannabinoids may reduce overall pain, muscle spasms and stiffness, as well as inflammation. And there is some evidence that the chemicals lower some of the pro-inflammatory cytokines primarily generated during exercises, such as IL-6 and TNF.
CBD is the most beneficial ingredient for recovery since it reduces inflammation, allowing you to get back up and move faster. We don’t know how it works because the effects of CBD for exercise can be experienced in so many different ways, and we haven’t studied it long enough. Still, studies have shown that it helps with inflammatory symptoms like osteoarthritis in animals and IBS in humans.
Key Takeaway
Overall, CBD for exercise is safe but not necessarily helpful as a fitness supplement. If you believe CBD improves your performance and you don’t notice any adverse side effects, it might be a valuable tool for health and fitness.
Elevate Your CBD Fitness Experience With Altitude Organic Cannabis
While there is no evidence to indicate whether CBD would increase your workout efforts, there is no risk in utilizing it because it has been proved to be safe and well-tolerated by the majority of individuals. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns, and start with a low dose to see how your body reacts.
If you’re looking to obtain CBD products to elevate your training regime, make sure to buy only from the best— Altitude Organic Cannabis. Our Silverthorne dispensary houses only the best and safest CBD products for your workout and training sessions. Please contact us via phone, email, or in person if you are interested!
