Using cannabidiol (CBD), you can alleviate muscle soreness and hasten muscle recovery after strenuous workouts. We all know that as an athlete, muscle discomfort and injuries are unavoidable—Fortunately, these types of issues don’t have to hold you back anymore!
Continue reading to find out how CBD can benefit you in ways you never realized.
The effects of exercise
Whether you play football or run marathons, exercise can wear down your body over time. When you work out a particular muscle, you are effectively putting it under stress, and this type of stress causes microscopic damage to the fibers of the muscle.
After working out, your immune system recognizes that the muscle has been damaged and begins the repairing process. The act of repairing the muscle actually causes it to grow larger and stronger.
Your next workout will be easier since your muscles are stronger. If you exert more strain on your muscles, your body will repair them and allow you to grow even stronger.
Other body changes occur as a result of exercise. When you exercise, your body burns energy to fuel your expenditures. Moreover, exercise causes your body to lose fluid and affects your hormones.
Your body must adapt to these changes post-workout. Obtaining sufficient sleep and following a healthy diet aids in recovery, but other variables can assist recovery as well. It’s important that your body restores its hormonal balance, replaces lost energy, and repairs damaged muscle fibers.
The majority of these repairs take place while you sleep. Your body creates additional testosterone and insulin growth factor (IGF) when you sleep, and both of these hormones control muscle fiber formation.
Furthermore, sleeping facilitates the reduction of cortisol levels. Since cortisol can induce muscle breakdown, you should keep your cortisol levels as low as possible.
Benefits of CBD for athletes
Pro athletes utilize CBD oil for three significant reasons: muscle recovery, muscular development, and pain management. However, other CBD benefits promote athletic performance and long-term health.
Reduces Inflammation
CBD (cannabidiol) oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory qualities, which may help decrease pain, swelling, and the severity of any joint damage.
Encourages Cell Regeneration
CBD possesses neuroprotective properties, which may aid in healing nerve tissues that have been injured by an accident or surgery. This can result in quicker wound healing, reduced scarring, and better muscle growth over time.
Enhances Sleep Quality
Research indicates that CBD oil can offer relief from insomnia and other sleep issues by increasing overall relaxation, lowering anxiety, and improving sleep quality. This can improve the healing process by helping you to recover more quickly.
Restores Energy
CBD has been shown to improve energy levels and increase alertness without causing the anxiety, tremors, or rapid pulse that stimulants like coffee and energy drinks do.
Athletes who use CBD can stay awake for extended periods of time while maintaining high energy and remaining alert.
Promotes Healing of Fractures
CBD has demonstrated the ability to aid in healing fractured bones in a shorter time. This is possible because it binds to protein collagen in the bone, laying the foundation for mineralizing new bone tissues.
Aids Post-Workout Muscle Recovery
Muscles become inflamed during exercise, and these muscles become stiff and sore as they attempt to repair themselves. CBD is a potent antioxidant that aids in the treatment of this inflammation.
FAQ
What CBD products are best for athletic recovery?
CBD comes in a wide selection of forms, including CBD oil, lotions, balms, salves, and a host of different edibles. The best product for you is determined by what you’d like to achieve.
You can receive localized pain relief with a topical product. As a result, many people utilize topical products to treat muscle soreness, joint discomfort, and pain.
CBD tinctures can also help you sleep better at night if you have trouble falling asleep. A tincture allows you to measure a specific quantity and place the drops beneath your tongue.
You can boost your body’s ability to recuperate after strenuous exercise by using the correct product.
Is it legal to purchase CBD in the USA?
Yes. The 2018 Farm Bill, legalized the cultivation, distribution, and sale of industrialized hemp, enabling it to be “cultivated for any use”—including the manufacture and extraction of CBD. So, while there are a few caveats to the bill, you may now buy CBD in the United States with confidence.
CBD can be used by professional athletes since the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed it from its prohibited substance list in 2018.
Has CBD been researched, and have the benefits of CBD been demonstrated?
Yes, CBD has been the subject of ongoing research where the benefits of the substance have been identified. A 2018 analysis of 132 original studies published in Frontiers in Neurology found that CBD can lower inflammation in the body and assist in relieving pain and movement in individuals with multiple sclerosis. According to the authors of the review, CBD is “anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective.”
However, it can not be stated conclusively that CBD will decrease inflammation and muscle soreness after a workout without more research data.
How should I use CBD to aid in my recovery?
While it’s up to you to decide how much CBD you need to consume to feel its benefits, follow the dosing instructions stated on the packaging as a reasonable starting point. Remember that CBD is a subjective compound that reacts differently in each individual. However, after you’ve achieved the desired result, you won’t need to increase the dose.
Essentially, if your doctor approves and you’re willing to try CBD instead of taking standard anti-inflammatories, try it for a few weeks while experimenting with different administration methods and doses to see what works best for you.
When is the best time to take CBD oil when exercising?
There isn’t necessarily “a best time” to take CBD when exercising since CBD is effective before and after workouts. Therefore, the best time to use CBD oil is subjective and will depend on your body’s needs.
Before your workout, it can help to boost your energy and relax your muscles. Afterward, it can help soothe post-exercise inflammation.
If you prefer to take CBD before:
- Drink a smoothie comprising fruits, greens, protein, and CBD oil approximately 1-2 hours before your workout. This can guarantee that you have enough energy to get going, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of CBD while working out.
- Take CBD sublingually just before warming up. Holding it under your tongue is the quickest way to experience its effects. Simply place the CBD oil or tincture under your tongue for thirty seconds, then swallow.
- CBD capsules – Take one hour before exercising.
- CBD gummies – Take 1-2 hours before exercising.
If you prefer to take CBD after:
- CBD oil self-massage — After a day of strenuous activity, treating yourself to a massage may be quite relaxing. Infuse your muscles with love, hydrate your skin, and benefit from CBD’s soothing anti-inflammatory properties!
- Use CBD oil when problems arise — As previously stated, CBD oil can have an immediate impact when taken sublingually. Be sure to take it as soon as you notice the first signs of post-exercise discomfort rather than waiting for your symptoms to worsen.
- A CBD Bath Bomb can also help loosen your muscles and reach complete relaxation. We recommend taking a bath before going to bed!
It takes mental and physical strength to achieve your goals and break through limitations. Using CBD can be a great way to alleviate inflammation and boost sports performance. At Golden Goat, our products are specially formulated with our customers in mind.
If you haven’t considered using CBD alongside your workouts, try it! The therapeutic properties of CBD may be key to helping you rest, recover and physically thrive.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to text, images, graphics, and other material contained in this article, are for informational and educational purposes, solely intended to be used as a self-help tool. No information in this article or on this website is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek guidance and advice from a qualified healthcare provider before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.
