Fitness largely centers around the constant desire to surpass one’s physical limits. As a result, many people involved with fitness are always looking for an extra “edge:” something to boost their performance and improve their athletic capabilities.
Cannabidiol, one of the hundreds of naturally-occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, has been found to possess numerous potential health benefits. In fact, the benefits of CBD oil for exercise have been touted by many professional athletes and exercise enthusiasts alike. But is there any truth to these claims?
Let’s take a look!
Reduce Stress and Encourage Healthy Recovery
Aside from a rigorous and challenging workout routine, proper recovery is essential to optimizing one’s health and fitness. In fact, the recovery efforts outside of exercise are often just as important as the exercise itself.
Most forms of physical activity are heavily taxing on the body. Endurance training rapidly depletes muscle glycogen stores, while weight training inflicts damage to muscles tissues in the form of micro-tears. Regardless of your preferred method of training, our bodies require adequate rest to recuperate from physical strain. Fortunately, as research has indicated, CBD oil can benefit exercise recovery in several ways.
For starters, CBD has been shown to reduce stress, which is one of the most common causes of compromised post-exercise recovery. Being in a constant state of stress can elevate levels of a hormone called cortisol. When cortisol levels are consistently high, the efficiency of muscle growth and recovery processes can suffer. Fortunately, research has demonstrated that CBD oil can benefit exercise recovery by lowering cortisol levels in the blood.
Aside from managing your stress hormones, sleep plays a crucial role in promoting healthy recovery from exercise. The science is clear: sleep-deprived athletes have slower muscle regeneration, increased stress levels, and decreased performance. Put simply, sleep matters, and in the interest of recovery, the average person is encouraged to sleep between 7-8 hours a night.
However, even the sleep-conscientious know that a restful night’s sleep isn’t always guaranteed. Often, insomnia and other frustrating sleep disturbances can impair the quality of our sleep, leading to inhibited rest and recuperation.
Thankfully, CBD can help. Because CBD influences the body’s balance of stress hormones and neurotransmitters such as adenosine, consuming CBD oil can benefit post-exercise recovery by promoting restorative sleep.
Combat Soreness, Pain, and Fatigue
One of the largest plights that athletes continually face is the onset of soreness, pain, and fatigue that can accompany intense workout sessions. In particular, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS, is a frequent and formidable adversary that can immobilize even the most capable athletes.
Fortunately, CBD can help our bodies manage the inflammation and discomfort that often follows strenuous workouts.
During exercise, the body naturally increases levels of an endocannabinoid called anandamide (AEA), which has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation. Conveniently, consuming CBD can increase AEA levels outside of exercise and achieve similar effects.
CBD oil’s benefits for exercise don’t stop there, though. Studies have also demonstrated that CBD can suppress cytokine and chemokine production as well as increase our body’s T-regulatory cell production — all of which aid the body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes.
The versatile range of available CBD products makes it easy for exercisers to reap the benefits of CBD, too. CBD oils and edibles are ideal for convenient, on-the-go use, while topical products like CBD salves and creams can provide localized relief from muscle soreness and pain.
Best of all, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-addictive, unlike other anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances. In addition, CBD generally doesn’t cause grogginess, fatigue, or drowsiness, meaning that those who lead active lifestyles can continue their athletic pursuits in full confidence.
Overall, CBD oil’s benefits for exercise recovery are numerous, and it’s not surprising that CBD has been endorsed by dozens of professional athletes, including MMA fighter Nate Diaz and NFL linebacker Derrick Morgan.
When Should You Take CBD?
Many exercise supplements are explicitly intended to be consumed before or after workouts. Pre-workout supplements, for instance, typically contain a blend of caffeine and other stimulating ingredients that are designed to invigorate the user and encourage intense exercise sessions. On the other hand, protein powders are designed to quickly replenish glycogen stores after strenuous exercise and bolster the body’s protein levels.
However, unlike these products, research seems to indicate that CBD is effective regardless of when it is consumed. As a result, the most ideal time to enjoy the benefits of CBD oil for exercise is, well, any time! It all comes down to personal preference.
Some people prefer to take CBD before challenging exercise sessions to “prime” their bodies for exertion. Because CBD can help alleviate physical discomfort, taking CBD prior to a workout can help “loosen” the body and reduce impairments that might otherwise hinder mobility and performance.
Some research has even indicated that, at low doses, CBD may have a “stimulating” effect, which could be conducive to high-intensity workouts. However, because CBD can be relaxing, some people advise against pre-workout CBD use. In fact, most users prefer to take CBD after their workouts to ease into recovery and benefit from improved sleep, lowered cortisol levels, and reduced inflammation.
All in all, CBD is a flexible and versatile exercise supplement. You’ll be able to harness the benefits of CBD oil for exercise whether you take it before or after your workout.
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At Core CBD, we carry a diverse selection of medical-grade CBD products, including CBD oils, edibles, and cosmetics. We take great care to ensure every product is:
- Made from American-grown hemp
- Free from pesticides and insecticides
- Produced in a professional manufacturing environment
- Guaranteed to be THC free
- Third-party tested for quality and purity
Shop with us today at Core CBD — your one-stop online shop for premium-grade CBD products!
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