The popularity of CBD products has spiked due to their health benefits. However, pro athletes had to wait until 2018 when the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) finally removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances. Athletes push their bodies beyond what the rest of us consider possible. Unfortunately, the human body can only go so far. To cope, athletes have a helping hand from modern medicine. This includes medication for inflammation, sleep, anxiety, stomach complications, and endurance.
Sadly, most medications also come with serious side effects. Unlike other supplements, CBD is entirely natural. This article outlines some of the properties of CBD and explains how athletes stand to gain.
1. Get Pain Relief Using CBD
Some sports can be very punishing to the body. ACL tears, ankle sprains, and shoulder injuries are a common occurrence in the world of sports. Intense pain can make it impossible to exercise, let alone take part in a game. As a result, pain management a top priority when such injuries occur. CBD has been fronted by scientists as a non-psychoactive pain management option. This is made possible due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Traditional pain relief methods like opioids and THC are useful but are also addictive. It makes them prone to misuse by athletes they are supposed to help. Other over the counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen have been found to increase the risk of renal infections. It makes CBD one of the few remaining pain treatment options with no side effects.
2. Use CBD To Settle Your Gut
Proper nutrition is a crucial part of succeeding as an athlete. The right food provides the energy to exercise and boost muscle growth. It is why sports teams and individual athletes employ top nutritionists to help in this area. Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy these benefits if you are plagued with gastronomical complications. CBD activates the cannabinoid receptors in the gut, limiting the secretion of gastric acids.
A limited gastric secretion reduces the risk of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), which causes abdominal pains, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. The pain and discomfort caused by stomach complications can disrupt an athlete’s career. The good news is that research has shown that CBD is very effective against such digestive difficulties.
3. Reduce Stress and Relax With CBD
Excelling in sports doesn’t only require physicality. It’s also being in the right frame of mind. This is why most athletes have counseling and are given time to rest before a big event. As an athlete, you are constantly worrying about your performance. Have you trained enough? Or, have you overtrained?
All athletes want to be in that sweet spot where you exercise well but, also got enough rest. Even if you get this balance right, you might still be worried about how you perform in front of a sold-out stadium. Small doses of CBD have been praised for reducing anxiety and removing fear-induced limits. This allows an athlete to relax and focus on the task at hand, winning. For better results, go for full-spectrum cannabinoids as they contain all the necessary compounds for alleviating anxiety.
4. Get Faster Recovery Using CBD As Part Of Your Post Workout
An intense gym session can often leave you with cramps and sore muscles. It makes simple activities like walking unbearable. For most people, you can take a few days off until you are rejuvenated. Unfortunately, time is a luxury most athletes don’t have. In most cases, you will have another round of training the next day. The lactic acid that builds up in the muscles during workout prolongs the recovery, making it impossible to give it one hundred percent. Once again, CBD can prove useful in this area. Cannabinoid’s anti-inflammatory properties inhibit neurotransmitters helping muscles to relax.
In addition, the use of cannabinoids boosts the production of anti-oxidants. These are used to prevent the build of lactic acid through oxidation. Less oxidations mean reduced muscle soreness and faster cell regeneration. When using CBD, start with a lower dose and gradually increase it to avoid an overshoot. You can also diversify the method of administration. Experiment with vapes, topical, and oral until you find what works for you.
5. Sleep Better Including CBD As Part Of Your Daily Routine
Athletes have to adhere to a rigorous routine. Failing to show up on time could mean losing your place on a team. A big part of sticking to the program is making sure you get enough sleep every night. Adequate sleep allows your tired muscles to recover. However, getting much-needed sleep can be difficult if you have other things on your mind.
A recent case study has shown that CBD reduces the production of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This brings a calming effect that helps you sleep. Other studies show that CBD doesn’t just help you sleep; it improves the quality of sleep. The deeper the sleep, the more restful one feels in the morning. It is recommended that users begin from a base dosage of 25mg per day and increase uptake until they start to notice changes.
Final Thoughts
The success of athletes depends on both their physical and mental health. CBD is a holistic product boasting of a long list of health benefits. Solid evidenced table by different studies has shown that CBD is safe for use and has no side effects. As a precaution, athletes have to make sure the CBD products contain acceptable levels of THC. Otherwise, they risk violating anti-doping regulations.