CBD for Athletes – Athletes put a lot of strain on their bodies as they push themselves a little farther, exercise a little longer, or lift a little more. Though exercise is certainly good for the body, athletes who push their limits may damage their bodies as they attempt to work through the burn. Fortunately, many athletes have discovered the healing potential of CBD and use it regularly to aid their workouts without intoxication.
Today, we’ll discuss a few common benefits of CBD for athletes. Next, we’ll discuss how you can use CBD to improve your endurance and athletic performance without compromising your competitive qualifications.
CBD for Athletes
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a widely popular cannabinoid that develops on hemp flowers. Notably, the FDA has yet to approve the element for medical purposes outside of the CBD-based epilepsy drug, Epidiolex. However, researchers continually note CBD’s incredible therapeutic potential, which anecdotal evidence seems to support.
Specifically, researchers note that CBD may reduce inflammation and associated pain. Notably athletes often tend to push their bodies to help strengthen them, which may damage joints and muscle tissue during continued exercise. However, by taking oral CBD about 30 minutes prior to exercise, athletes may be able to minimize damage to their bodies so they can train longer and reap more positive results.
What’s more, CBD may also minimize an athlete’s reliance on OTC pain medications, which pose some negative long-term concerns. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin can cause digestive issues or damage the kidney, liver, or stomach. Conversely, CBD poses minimal long-term concerns. Additionally, its short-term side effects are quite mild, including fatigue and nausea. Notably, these negative side effects likely result from CBD’s interaction with other medications, so always speak with your doctor before beginning a new dietary routine.
Finally, CBD may help improve mood, which in turn may boost endurance. Essentially, by minimizing negative thinking (for example, dwelling on the monotony of specific training schedules), athletes can train longer to become stronger and more skilled in their respective categories.
How Athletes Can Use CBD
As mentioned, oral CBD supplements can help increase endurance when consumed 30 minutes before working out. This will give the CBD enough time to digest and enter the bloodstream where it can impact the entire body. However, if you don’t have 30 minutes to wait, you can also take CBD under the tongue for sublingual absorption. This consumption method not only speeds onset time, but it also increases product potency, meaning you’ll have to take less for the same results. However, sublingually absorbed CBD does not stay active as long as metabolized CBD, so you might have to re-up mid-session.
Additionally, CBD can also speed recovery time, making it a great addition to your regular wind-down routine. Essentially, CBD may help the body relax after a vigorous workout, and may also stimulate appetite to encourage calorie replenishment.
Finally, CBD topicals work well for location-specific pain, especially pain in the joints and muscles. What’s more, you can liberally apply topical CBD because it will not penetrate the blood — only the skin and surrounding muscle tissue. That means that you can apply topical CBD products as needed without overconsuming or risking adverse side effects. When applying CBD topically, expect the product to take effect within about 10-20 minutes.
CBD in Competitive Sports
Competitive athletes must adhere to strict guidelines, which includes the substances they ingest. Notably, athletes included in the USADA program may not consume stimulants, narcotics, hormone and metabolic modulators, or (most) cannabinoids.
Importantly, the organization removed CBD from their list of prohibited substances in 2018, as did the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the groups only removed CBD from their list of prohibited cannabinoids. All other cannabinoids are still restricted, including alternative cannabinoids derived from CBD like Delta 8, Delta 8, and HCC. As such, competitive athletes should only consume CBD isolate products. Additionally, they should confirm the product’s purity via the Certificate of Analysis, or COA.
Closing Thoughts On CBD for Athletes
Athletes include a special group of people who strain their bodies more than most. They do so to improve their strength and overall health (and maybe win a few bragging rights). Unfortunately, they may actually damage their bodies in the process. Fortunately, CBD may reduce injury, increase endurance, and improve mood and optimism among athletes. What’s more, CBD is officially permissible in competition if no other cannabinoids accompany it. This is great news for athletes and trainers alike, which makes CBD products a welcome addition to our practice.
Contact us to learn more about CBD for athletes or shop our CBD product line now.
Also, join our community for health tips, product updates, and hemp industry information.
Leave a Reply