Athletes' bodies undergo immeasurable stress and physical tolls every day during practice, workouts, pre-games and games. With the different advancements in sports medicine and science, athletes are looking for safe and organic ways to boost their performance, keep them in tip-top shape and hasten their recovery after a long training session. Post-training pain-relief options can be more harmful than beneficial in the long run. When a new all-natural product like Cannabidiol (CBD) comes along and shows promise, it will undoubtedly stir up clamor and turn a few heads.
In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency withdrew CBD from the list of prohibited substances. Numerous famous athletes like Megan Rapinoe, Rob Gronkowski, Eugene Monroe, Mike Tyson, Nate Diaz and Eddie Hall, to name a few, have incorporated CBD into their daily routines.
Is CBD effective, like how many anecdotes claim? Read more and learn how this miracle compound can work wonders for athletes and sports buffs. In this article, we will take a look at the benefits CBD can offer to athletes and sports.
WHAT IS CBD?
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the second most common active ingredient in cannabis. It is mainly acquired from the hemp plant, a close cousin of marijuana, but it can also be manufactured in a laboratory. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, "In humans, CBD exhibits no adverse effects suggestive of any abuse or dependence potential. There is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with using pure CBD.
POTENTIAL CBD BENEFITS FOR ATHLETES
A HEALTHIER PAIN RELIEVER
Undergoing harsh training is an everyday occurrence for athletes, and with arduous training comes a longer time for recovery and performance limitations. CBD addresses this problem as it is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and those who have tried it have sworn its effectiveness in helping them recover after long workout periods.
Gastrointestinal problems hamper endurance athletes from performing their best, especially in competitions. Although CBD cannot solve overheating and dehydration, it is effective in reducing inflammation and underlying symptoms in an athlete's torso and gut due to it inhibiting CB1 and CB2 receptors that are present in the colon.
A BETTER ORGANIC ALTERNATIVE
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been the go-to pain relievers for athletes for a long time. Painkillers like Advil have been a staple in athletes' daily routines. But, many studies show that these drugs can cause renal failure and heart problems. Opioids are not any better; even if it is reported to alleviate a lot of the pain in athletes, it is observed to be highly addictive and sometimes may even cause death.
CBD can be a healthier and better replacement for NSAIDs; not only does it help impede pain, but its non-addictive properties can aid athletes in getting over their opioid addictions.
IMPROVED SLEEP
Getting adequate sleep is crucial for every athlete’s performance and recovery. On the other hand, an athlete’s sleep schedule varies from time to time. Multiple studies show that taking CBD in lower doses induces sleep while taking it in higher amounts helps a person stay awake.
Another factor that affects sleep can be stress and anxiety, these conditions may be experienced by athletes the night before a big event and in turn can make them lose important hours of sleep. Research suggests that CBD helps in calming the mind and strengthening focus.
CBD AIDS RECOVERY
Muscle wear and tear is unavoidable in an athlete's life. Intensive training sessions can cause muscle inflammation, and although these inflammations help in muscle building, too much of it can have disfavorable effects. Using CBD muscle cream can lighten the heavy load on an athlete's muscles and help him recover at a steady and healthier pace.
CBD also helps in the healing of bone fractures and improving bone strength. This property of CBD is highly advantageous for athletes prone to bone injuries.
CBD SUPPORTS NATURAL BODILY FUNCTIONS
A diverse and balanced diet is as important as training for an athlete, and many of them seek supplements to ensure that they are taking the necessary nutrients to function at their highest. CBD is one of these supplements that can help them improve their performance.
Giving the body the right fuel to perform faster, higher, and stronger than their peers is necessary for every athlete. CBD can serve as the perfect fuel for an athlete since it interacts with the body's different systems; it also regulates hormone production and induces stability that physically taxing activities can disrupt.
HOW CAN ATHLETES USE CBD?
Finding the perfect CBD is difficult for an athlete that is trying to incorporate it into their routine; they have to ensure that it has legal THC levels, and most importantly, it has to be of great quality.
There are three types of CBD products available:
- Full Spectrum - it contains CBD, legal amounts of THC, and other beneficial cannabinoids
- Broad Spectrum - it contains CBD, but no traces of THC and other beneficial cannabinoids; and
- Isolate - it only contains cannabinoid compounds.
Ideally, athletes should only choose Broad Spectrum and Isolate so that they won't accidentally ingest THC.
CBD sellers should also be responsible for their marketing and labelling. They also offer third-party lab testing and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch of CBD that is purchased. With these methods, it will be easy for athletes to know the contents of the product that they are putting into their bodies, and it also ensures that they are not taking products that have high concentrations of THC.
Athletes should also put into consideration other products that may work for them, for example:
- CBD Oil - it is usually taken ingested through drops under the tongue and absorbed through minuscule blood vessels to ensure that it takes effect quickly.
- CBD Capsules - these are similar to vitamin supplements and are absorbed through the body's digestive system.
- CBD Muscle Balms - these products are applied topically to activate cannabinoid receptors present in the skin. These muscle balms are not absorbed through the bloodstream.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is only natural for athletes to be big fans of the CBD compound since it has many benefits for general well-being.
It doesn’t matter if an athlete is a professional or an amateur, CBD will be highly beneficial in improving their overall performance and longevity.
Sources:
Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don't
