As an athlete, you know the importance of taking care of your body. You eat healthy, exercise regularly and take time to recover. But have you considered using CBD to boost your performance?
Although this is still largely uncharted territory in sports science and medicine, more athletes are discovering how CBD can help improve their recovery time after intense training and provide relief for injury-related pain.
If this is a topic that interests you, read on to find out how CBD can give athletes like you that extra edge!
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (the main psychoactive component of cannabis), CBD does not produce any sort of ‘high’ or altered state of consciousness.
Instead, research shows its ability to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects that help reduce physical and Mental health Athletes’ stress.[1] [2]
How can you consume CBD?
CBD can be consumed in many different forms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular methods of consumption are edibles, tinctures, topicals, and inhalation (vaping).
edibles
These are convenient to take on the go and offer a delicious way to take CBD, but they may take longer than other methods of use.
Tinctures
Tinctures are CBD-infused liquid drops that are quickly absorbed under the tongue and provide a more direct route to the bloodstream.
things
These include CBD-infused creams and salves that can be applied directly to the skin or muscle tissue, acting quickly to relieve pain, inflammation and pain.
Inhalation (vaping)
This is a quick method of consuming CBD as the vapor enters the bloodstream directly for rapid effects. However, it has its own health risks that should be considered before trying.
Benefits of CBD for Athletes
The potential benefits of CBD for athletes are vast. CBD has been shown to help with inflammation, pain relief, and anxiety and depression. This means that CBD can potentially help athletes with a number of issues they face during and after competition.
Reduces inflammation
From training to the big day on the field, track or pool, inflammation is one of the most important issues athletes face.
To some extent, inflammation is necessary. For example, your muscle fibers break down during a hard workout. This causes an expected and normal level of inflammation, which is overcome by the body through repair hormones such as IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1).
When inflammation is excessive and chronic, it can cause problems for athletes that affect recovery and performance.
CBD has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, helping athletes recover quickly from injuries.[1][2]
How does CBD reduce inflammation?
How exactly does CBD work? Reduces inflammation Research is still being done. However, CBD is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating inflammation levels in the body.
CBD reduces oxidative stress and helps reduce damage caused by excessive exercise or injury. This further improves recovery time and reduces the risk of tissue damage.[1][2]
the pain
Despite nutrition, stretching and recovery, pain can still be a problem, especially for athletes knee pain.
Depending on the intensity of training and effectiveness of recovery, athletes may experience acute and/or chronic pain. Pain occurs as a result of excessive physical stress, strains, injuries, overtraining and under-recovery. The mental stress of competition can aggravate this pain.
CBD has been suggested as an effective pain reliever, helping athletes feel more comfortable and less stressed before and during competition.[3][4]
Continuing with the example above, those athletes Medial knee pain A significant benefit can be seen in the reduction of pain, especially when it is associated with late-onset muscle soreness.
How does CBD reduce pain in the body?
Again, the mechanisms are not fully understood, but what we do know is that CBD has been found to interact with the endocannabinoid system. This is the same system involved in pain processing.
CBD interacts with receptors in the brain’s pain control center and it reduces inflammation and provides some Pain relief. With that said, more studies are needed to confirm and better understand this benefit of CBD supplements.[3][4]
sleep
Every athlete knows how important sleep is to recovery. This happens when your body releases muscle-repairing hormones and compounds like testosterone and growth hormone. If you skip sleep, you’ll lose results. You will have a negative effect on your mental health. Sleep is when your brain “cleanses” itself, and without it, you have difficulty concentrating and performing.
CBD has been shown to help people Good quality sleep, is essential for athletes who want to be at their best. No matter what your chronotype, CBD can help you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
In a study on CBD for sleep, more than 66% of participants reported improved overall sleep quality after taking CBD for one month. CBD was also found to reduce anxiety levels in subjects. As we discuss more below, this can be beneficial for athletes dealing with pre-competition nerves.[5]
How does CBD help you sleep?
CBD has been linked to increased levels of natural endocannabinoids, which are responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is thought to improve the quality and length of sleep, helping athletes get the rest they need.
CBD is believed to help regulate REM sleep, which can help reduce fatigue and improve alertness during the day. CBD’s ability to reduce anxiety and stress can help athletes get a better night’s sleep.[5]
Anxiety and depression
Competition can be stressful and this can have a major impact on an athlete’s performance. If an athlete is too stressed or anxious, they will not be able to focus and perform at their best.
CBD has been found to help reduce Performance anxiety And stress levels, which are beneficial to athletes, directly affect the physical and mental abilities required for performance.
How does CBD reduce anxiety?
The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system is thought to help reduce anxiety levels on a neurochemical level. It has been found to increase serotonin levels, which help improve mood and control stress.
CBD is also believed to help lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. It helps athletes stay relaxed and composed during competitions, reducing their anxiety and improving their performance.[5][6]
Potential side effects and risks of using CBD
As with any supplement, there are potential side effects and risks. With that said, CBD is generally well tolerated with minimal and non-serious side effects.
Here are the most commonly reported side effects of CBD use:
- dry mouth
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- diarrhea
- Changes in appetite and weight
- nausea
- low blood pressure
Risks of using CBD as a performance enhancing supplement
Beyond the basic side effects, athletes should be more concerned about whether they can use CBD and not get in trouble with their council that oversees athletic drug testing.
First, CBD is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In 2018, CBD was removed from the list of banned substances both in and out of competition.
With that, THC – the psychoactive component of cannabis – is still illegal in competition with synthetic cannabinoids.
In other words, if you want to use CBD as part of your supplement routine, make sure you buy a type that doesn’t contain THC.
Should athletes use CBD for recovery and performance?
There are mixed opinions on whether athletes should use CBD to improve their performance. Although studies suggest that CBD can help reduce inflammation, anxiety and pain while improving sleep, some sports experts believe there is insufficient evidence to support these claims and more research is needed.
Given current research, CBD may help reduce inflammation and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s body is different, so CBD is likely to have different effects on different people.
As always, it is recommended to speak with your trainer, nutritionist and doctor before using CBD as part of your nutrition and supplementation program.
The bottom line
CBD oil is a promising supplement for athletes. While the foundation of any athletic training regimen is a well-constructed workout plan, a consistent meal plan based on nutritious whole foods and adequate sleep, supplements like CBD can help give you an extra edge for recovery and performance.
CBD helps reduce inflammation, pain and performance anxiety while improving sleep quality and duration. However, more research is needed to determine the mechanisms and effectiveness of larger study samples.