CBD is one of over 100 distinct cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant naturally. Though research on CBD is limited, it has shown promise in treating a variety of athletic-related disorders such as joint pain, inflammation, and stress.
CBD provides many of the same potential health benefits as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but none of the psychoactive side effects. Here’s why athletes from all over the world are getting into CBD and what you need to know about it, based on what we know right now.
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To begin, are athletes permitted to consume CBD?
One of the biggest worries for fitness enthusiasts before using CBD is whether it is legal – and, more importantly, if various sporting regulators approve it. Cannabidiol is a natural compound found in hemp and cannabis plants, and, understandably, many people are concerned about its legality. The answer is, thankfully, yes. The positive advantages of CBD can be experienced within the law as long as there are no levels of THC alongside the cannabidiol.
CBD has also managed to shrug off its cannabis connotation in the sporting world. It has been removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of restricted substances since January 2018. This implies it’s legal to use in professional athletic events and won’t be considered a performance-enhancing substance.
6 CBD Benefits for Athletes
Pain Relief
Cannabis (mainly THC and far less CBD) has been demonstrated in studies to be useful in relieving pain, especially musculoskeletal pain from exercise and stiff joints. There isn’t much research on CBD alone or in a 1:1 THC: CBD ratio. Until research catches up, we can only rely on anecdotal evidence and biological plausibility in this domain. Despite the lack of scientific data, CBD appears to be a useful pain reliever for many athletes.
CBD Helps to Relieve Stress
The most important advantage of CBD for athletes is the reduction of stress using CBD Edibles. That sounds fantastic — and it is — but what does it actually imply? To answer this, we must first examine the definition of stress. This will receive greater attention than the other advantages on this listing because it is from this trait that the others flow.
So, what exactly is stress?
“A state of mental or emotional stress or anxiety caused by bad or demanding circumstances is known as stress.” Hanse Selye, a forward-thinking endocrinologist, went one step farther in 1936. Physiological stress, he defined, is the body’s “non-specific response to any need for change.”
Stress, according to Selye, can create gastrointestinal health problems, increased thyroid gland, and other impacts in animals. During his research, animals developed arthritis, suffered strokes, and died from heart attacks due to persistent stress.
Inflammation can be reduced
A small amount of inflammation can be beneficial to athletes and aid in stimulating positive training adaptations. Inflammation slows healing and reduces performance. CB2 receptors are found in the brain and the peripheral nervous system, and they’re more prevalent in immunological tissues. Cannabinoids that bind to CB2 receptors may reduce the production of cytokines (cell messengers), which may have an anti-inflammatory impact. (8) In other words, CBD binds to CB2 receptors, which helps your immune system turn back the response after a hard workout.
CBD for Appetite Suppression
Finally, many sportsmen utilize CBD oil because of its weight-loss properties. Many people have reported feeling less hungry after taking the supplement, which might benefit those who need to stick to a tight diet. Athletes can focus on foods that nourish them and power their efforts by removing the temptation to snack or eat harmful items.
Cycles of sleep and wakefulness
The CBD products from for sleep have the ability to affect sleep. It was also highlighted in the 2020 Pharmacological Research project which has shown that CBD possesses the power to maintain the sleep cycle of humans. CBD has been discovered to be both a sleep-inducing and wake-promoting drug in animal models. The potential to induce opposite effects, known as biphasic effects, is dose-dependent and appears to function best when the usual sleep-wake pattern has been disrupted.
Lower CBD doses appear to improve alertness, but greater doses appear to sedate and induce sleep. Both of these characteristics may be advantageous: While getting a good night’s sleep is important before a major game, athletes competing in ultra-marathons or endurance competitions may find that remaining awake improves their performance.
Muscle Relaxation is aided by CBD.
Athletes are familiar with the post-workout euphoria that follows a strenuous exercise. Lactate-laden muscles experience cramps and discomfort, making even simple tasks like walking down the stairs difficult.
Athletes who want to use CBD in this way should look for products that may be added to their diet as a snack replacement. Infused teas and coffees are very effective, and they can help you avoid late-night snacking.