How does CBD benefit Athletes?

As the acceptance of cannabis and CBD related products has become more mainstream, athletes are turning to an all natural approach in their training and recovery.
Found in the cannabis plant, CBD is a non-psychoactive property and the key ingredient for the medicinal properties of cannabis. The most common use of CBD is in the form of oil tinctures, capsules, gummies, and topical products. Athletes often subject their bodies to high training mileage that leads to injury, wear and tear and fatigue. At the end of a long training day, practice, or race is often when these elements are felt, usually impacting performance moving forward.

Is CBD legal for athletes?

Yes! In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) removed CBD from the list of banned substances – in or out of competition. Still prohibited from competition is the psychoactive component of marijuana, THC. As well as, synthetic cannabinoids. The specific language is: “The following cannabinoids are prohibited: Natural cannabinoids, e.g. cannabis, hashish and marijuana. Synthetic cannabinoids e.g. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabimimetics.”

One of the main reasons that CBD has become such a hot topic in the sports world is that many pro and retired athletes have begun advocating for more athletes to use CBD. There are many pro CBD athletes who are paving the way for other athletes to learn more about the options outside of prescription drugs to manage the damage training and racing can have on the body.

Exercise Activates The Endocannabinoid System

Recent research has shown us that the Endocannabinoid System also plays a role in exercise and sport.

For many of you, this might come as no surprise.

After all, recent research has shown us that endocannabinoids like anandamide may be responsible for causing that “runner’s high” we feel after working out.

The Endocannabinoid System is involved in many aspects of our body that researchers believe it plays a key role in “homeostasis.”

Homeostasis describes a state of balance that keeps the body functioning properly. This balance can include things like salt, sugar, protein, body temperature, water levels and oxygen.

There are still many things we don’t know about the ECS, CBD and other cannabinoids. However, one thing is clear: CBD is a great all natural approach to improving recovery.

Most athletes are looking for improvement in many areas. When we train and race, we push our bodies to the max,  which forces them to adapt and become stronger, faster and more efficient.

For example, the basic principle behind lifting weights:

Lifting heavy weights causes tiny tears in your muscle fibers.

Once we are done lifting, we are often sore, stiff, or tender the next few days. Your body then repairs this damage, making your muscles bigger and stronger in the process. CBD can help alleviate these symptoms thanks to its strong analgesic properties.

What Are the Benefits of CBD?

There are many benefits that CBD can offer any athlete. The following are some of those benefits in more detail along with a comparison to over the counter medications (OTC) and why CBD as an all natural method may be a better choice.

Providing Relief

CBD is a great alternative to things like advil, bengay or lidocaine. Over the counter drugs can give a false sense of your ability to read when you are hurt or injured, often times creating brain fog. CBD is a much more effective way to combat discomfort or injury.

Improve Race-Day Nerves & Focus

Because of its strong anti anxiolytic properties, CBD is a great alternative to things like Prozac, Xanax and Zoloft. These prescription medications are harmful and habit forming with negative side effects.

Many athletes struggle with nerves on race day no matter how much time and energy goes into training. CBD may benefit athletes and provide improved race day focus and settled nerves.

Faster Recovery Time

Nagging injuries and substantial ones are sometimes part of being an athlete. Pushing our bodies to their limits takes its toll, and there is only so much stress our bodies can take. At some point we all go through things like plantar facsciitis, muscle soreness, tendonitis, etc. Injuries are inevitable.

Traditionally we have turned to things like Percoset, Vicodin and Naproxen. Choosing CBD will allow you to combat injuries as well as speed up recovery time, all without any harmful side effects.

NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause serious long-term side effects, despite the fact that they’re readily available to the public.

These side effects include:

  • Increased risk of strokes or heart attacks.
  • Heart issues.
  • Stomach and bowel problems, like ulcers and bleeding.
  • Liver damage.

CBD will help you get back to training and racing much faster than any OTC medication will. It is grown in the earth, not concocted in a lab. Hence, it is not hard to see why more athletes are choosing CBD to treat their injuries.

Does CBD affect the Immune System?

You spend weeks, months, even years working and training for an event and then right before go time, you get sick. Life as an athlete can be tough, your schedule revolves around training sessions, travel plans are made for races so you want to ensure that you’re immune system is functioning at its peak at all times. Enter CBD.

CBD is high in antioxidants, great for your heart health and helps lower your risk for infections. Staying healthy during peak training seasons, especially the winter months is crucial.

Can CBD Help You Sleep Better?

Our bodies do the most recovering when we are sleeping. But as an athlete, you probably knew that already. You probably also know that most people don’t get the right amount of sleep every night.

The Endocannabinoid System has been shown to play an important role in assisting us in getting more sleep and rest during the night.

Studies have shown, for example, that CBD can affect the sleep-wake cycle.

In 2016 the US National Institute of Health and Northeastern University did a study that showed stimulating endocannabinoid receptors can help improve sleep stability, especially during the non-REM stages of sleep.

Is CBD right for you?

Athletes lead lifestyles that require special products to meet their needs.

With many new studies and findings teaching us about the benefits of this all natural alternative, CBD is taking the athletic industry by storm. Remedy Tree offers many different types and potencies of CBD products perfect for any athlete.

After all, we are the official CBD partner of the Hartford Marathon Foundation!

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