Cannabis is an ancient remedy, but even in the modern age, we still discover new ways to use it. CBD in particular never ceases to surprise us with its seemingly endless applications. We even have Verma Farms Bacon Bites for furbabies!
Out of all users, CBD is probably most appreciated by athletes. These elite players and competitors push their bodies to the limit, which is why their limbs and muscles need extra support during their recovery days.
If you’re an athlete or someone who loves marathons and fitness, here’s why CBD should be part of your recovery toolkit.
But First: Why Should Athletes Optimize Recovery?
Let’s refresh our memory on what happens when we train. During physically strenuous activities, tiny tears appear in the muscles. As these tears heal, the muscles grow back bigger and stronger. Note, however, that muscles grow during rest and recovery, not during exercise. Those micro-tears heal at the speed of burns, so while you might not be sore from your workout, your body is still devoting resources to healing.
Unfortunately, a lot of athletes overlook the importance of recovery. According to UCHealth, a Colorado healthcare provider, about 60% of elite athletes and 30% of non-elite athletes overtrain. If strained long enough, their bodies won’t perform properly. Their endurance suffers, too. In addition, their mental well-being is at stake, as a lack of rest impacts their interest in their sport. That’s why recovery is important if you want to maintain an athletic or active lifestyle. And this is where CBD steps in.
How CBD Can Support Your Recovery
There’s evidence that suggests CBD could help support your body when you’re recovering from intense, or even moderate, training. A 2021 study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology examined data on recovery strategies using CBD.
Their conclusion? CBD sounds promising, and more research is underway to further understand its benefits.
Based on their observation, here are the areas that CBD seems to help with:
- Anti-inflammatory. It could help ease sore muscles.
- Pain relief. It could help with the discomfort your muscles feel after strenuous activities.
- Anxiolytic. It might help with anxious feelings.
- Neuroprotective. It may be able to help protect the nervous system from injury.
The Pain Problem
“No pain, no gain” is the motto of many athletes. No matter your sport, no matter your workout, pain is an unavoidable fact of training.
But that’s not to say that you have to endure every ounce of pain during your recovery - especially if there’s a natural way to reduce it. CBD enjoys a lot of testimonials from people who experienced how well CBD can help to alleviate their pain. Taking CBD, according to many anecdotes, could:
- Help ease joint stiffness
- Soothe soreness
- Ease the discomfort in your muscles.
CBD even caught the eye of the National Football League (NFL), which is now interested in CBD as pain relief support. According to the University of California San Diego Health, the NFL plans to fund a study into the effectiveness of THC and CBD in relieving pain among athletes.
So if you experience bouts of training-related pain, CBD might just be the newest part of your recovery routine.
The Special Role of Sleep
Another way CBD could support your recovery is through sleep.
A sleep-deprived athlete will experience poorer performance and endurance. And the effects go beyond the physical. According to UCHealth, a sleep-deprived player has a higher level of cortisol, aka the stress hormone.
If you have trouble dozing off, CBD might just help you make a good night’s sleep even better. The Sleep Foundation says that CBD might have a calming effect on the nervous system. And Medical News Today adds: early studies show that with the proper dosage, CBD can support your sleep.
CBD in the Sports Landscape
As a testimony to CBD’s popularity, some of the world’s leading sports magazines have featured CBD as a good complement to athletic recovery.
- Bike Mag says that CBD can aid sleep, which in turn promotes tissue repair.
- Golf Digest explored how CBD grew popular in the golfing scene and even penned an introductory CBD guide for golfers.
How to Incorporate CBD Into Your Recovery
CBD comes in many forms, so it won’t be difficult to find one that works for you. Here are some easy ways you can take your CBD during your downtime:
- CBD Bath Bombs. On self-care Saturdays, indulge in a luxurious recovery bath with a CBD bath bomb.
- CBD-Infused Drinks. Whip up some fun seasonal drinks with a dash of CBD oil. If you’re too tired from a workout to make a beverage, you could take some CBD gummies for dessert.
So the next time you feel wrecked after a crazy workout, it’s time to treat yourself to some CBD, a protein snack, and a well-deserved rest.
