When it comes to regular physical activity, most professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and people who maintain a healthy lifestyle are always looking for different ways to boost energy, enhance exercise performance, recover faster and take their workouts to the next level. This is where this all-natural supplement comes in.
Nowadays, it is no secret that CBD and endless options of its formats are gaining more and more popularity in the health and wellness sector. Along with its promising therapeutic benefits and healing properties, did you know that CBD is also considered an effective addition to your training regimen?
A Quick Intro To CBD & Its Effect On The Body
Cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) is the main non-addictive and generally safe compound found in Cannabis sativa plants. What makes CBD more appealing than other compounds is that it is not intoxicating. Unlike the infamous cannabinoid called Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), taking CBD products will not get ‘high’.
Endocannabinoids are compounds naturally produced by the body that regulate vital functions by affecting two main cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Phytocannabinoids like CBD, which are present in plants like cannabis and hemp, can also work with your biological endocannabinoid system (ECS) because of their ability to mirror the chemical structure of the body’s endocannabinoids.
After intake, CBD can interact with various receptors as part of this complex system, which is responsible for everything from pain and appetite to stress and sleep to help the body achieve homeostasis.
Why Using CBD Products During Your Workout Session
Can Relieve Pain & Muscle Spasms
If you suffer from chronic pain or acute muscle cramps, you may have tried pain killers that may help. While these medications can bring temporary relief, they do not address the real cause of the discomfort. Not to mention, some muscle relaxants and painkillers can be addictive and even lead to misuse or abuse.
One of the main reasons why many athletes and exercise enthusiasts use CBD oil for pain is because of its ability to help provide needed relief without habit-forming properties or severe side effects. In fact, a 2018 review looked at studies from 1975 to March 2018 to assess how well CBD works for decreasing chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and cancer pain. The researchers concluded that CBD oil was effective for overall pain relief without negative adverse reactions.
Might Heal Wounds & Injuries
Our skin is not only the heaviest and largest organ that covers the entire body its cells are also a great source of cannabinoid receptors that are widely dispersed in the skin. The skin’s ECS receptors play a crucial role in processes such as cell growth and differentiation, cellular integrity and hormone production and can respond to CBD in a similar way as receptors found all over the body.
Thanks to its potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, topical application of CBD products like creams, balms and ointments can help to alleviate pain, speed healing after injuries and prevent skin infections.
May Help To Maintain Mental Focus
Your muscles aren’t the only parts of your body that work hard in the gym. A good workout with long-term progress requires full mental focus and attention to activate specific muscle groups. To avoid injury and maximise tension in the right areas, you want every movement to be intentional.
Taking CBD products before your training session can help support mental focus while exercising at the gym. CBD is thought to interact with dopamine 5-HT1A receptors, which play a crucial role in the brain’s pleasure and reward system, increasing motivation and overall mental focus on a certain task.
Aids In Reducing Post-Workout Recovery Time
Vigorous and prolonged workouts are the major cause of micro-tears in the muscle fibres, which in turn lead to extreme inflammation in the body. As a result, the body begins to build muscle tissue to become stronger and repair damaged tissues. Even though this is a natural process, some athletes try to push too hard, which can decrease fitness gains and contribute to injuries. In addition, inflammation and muscle damage are no longer beneficial and cause muscle pain.
CBD is known to possess anti-inflammatory qualities, which can be beneficial in healing the damage and reducing recovery time after strenuous exercise. What’s more, cannabidiol can help diminish severe inflammation that stimulates the pain flow in the body.
Also, for some people, it might be really demotivating when the post-workout recovery process takes too much time and the muscle pain persists for several days, making it difficult to perform the simplest day-to-day activities like walking a dog. This is especially true if you are new to the sport or training regimen when even a little help can motivate you to push forward. Since the use of CBD products can help relieve your aches and speed up your recovery time, it can encourage you to get back to the gym and give you the upper hand in achieving your fitness goals.
Might Help Promote Better Rest
A restful night’s sleep and waking up feeling refreshed and energised is one of the most effective ways to get the most out of your exercise regimen. In addition, the most important stages of muscle recovery occur when you sleep, as during this time your body balances hormones, repairs, recharges and even sheds fat.
If your sleep problems are caused by pain, anxiety or another ailment, taking CBD oil for sleep before bed may be beneficial. With CBD’s ability to aid in reducing anxiety and stress levels and relieving pain, chronic aches and muscle soreness, CBD can help you fall asleep faster and experience more restful sleep. For example, a 2019 study involving 72 adults with anxiety and poor sleep found that 66.7% of participants improved their sleep quality scores after using CBD daily for one month, but the results changed over time.
