Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, has gained some popularity in the last couple of years. It can be used as part of your skincare routine or as a superfood for recipes. Its usage in sports highly increased after the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from prohibited substances in 2018.
Even though cannabidiol is produced from cannabis plants, it does not have any psychoactive impacts and rarely has any adverse effects. So, when typing in a search query like “is weed legal in Maryland,” you can be sure you will find a list of dispensaries that already have CBD in their offers!
Benefits
Regardless of each athlete’s unique genetics, they all have to get used to one common part of their sports routine: increased physical and mental stress levels. Training schedules, performance goals, physical injuries during competitions, and injury history lead to severe tiredness and pain that will limit any athlete’s potential.
In 2018, the World Health Organization released a critical review report on CBD with detailed information regarding its chemical properties and studies on dosages and dependence potential. CBD’s use is continuously implemented in sports, and there are some fascinating results.
Productivity Boosts
Performance improvement is a result of CBD’s ability to reduce anxiety without causing changes in thinking, which was confirmed in laboratory studies on humans. It allows athletes to compete in global events without fear of failure, and retain their sharpness of mind to make strategic decisions in a fraction of a (crucial) second.
Improved Recovery Processes
CBD’s pain-relieving ability helps speed up the after workout recovery. Unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs, CBD does not increase athletes’ heart level or disrupt their stomach. Research shows that cannabidiol can slow down instances of edema, inflammation, and muscle pain, thus protecting muscle cells.
Besides, the molecule’s excellent ability to improve sleep makes the recovery process quick and effective. The latest information about CBD’s ability to balance immune function indicates that it can prevent severe colds that disrupt exercises.
Eased Injuries
The well-known anti-inflammatory effect of CBD makes it the ideal recovery aid for intense training and serious injuries alike. Animal studies have shown that traumatic brain injury’s detrimental effects can be significantly reduced when using CBD.
Therefore, those who play rough and hard or engage in “full contact” sports types may consider CBD as a recovery tool. It does not have an intoxicating effect, and its antioxidant properties may prevent the death of brain cells.
Other Advantages for Athletes
As an effective antiemetic, cannabidiol helps against nausea and illness for athletes during intense training.
CBD helps treat muscle spasms that can be caused by spinal cord or nerve damages, tense muscles, and dehydration.
Using CBD may indirectly lower the appetite and help athletes control their weight. Simultaneously, the enhanced recovery process combined with a proper rest allows muscles to grow stronger and much faster than usual.
How to Use CBD
CBD comes in different forms, shapes, and consistencies. There are capsules, oils, pastes, chewing gummies, or even vaporizers. This variety allows athletes to choose the most suitable one according to their goals on an individual basis.
For example, CBD oils are perfect for both external and internal use. They can be effective pain relievers and dietary supplements at the same time.
CBD can be used before, during, and after a workout. Many professional athletes alternate between multiple CBD products or combine them if needed. For example, an athlete can start their day with a CBD tincture shot, use CBD of the topical application after a training session, and chew some gummies before going to bed to make sure they will have a restful sleep. All of it is under the control of trainers, doctors and according to the competition’s rules.
The dosage also depends on the individual, but it is essential to start with tiny doses and observe the changes to your mind and body. If you do not aim for professional sports but want to upgrade your daily exercises, you can make a list of noticeable effects or keep a journal to make changes when needed. The point is to increase doses by a little bit and observe changes for at least a week. It will help you understand what works for you and avoid overusing your medicine.
Conclusion
Cannabidiol is an excellent alternative to opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can do so much more than just help athletes manage pain. It is a superb tool to maintain both physical and mental health. It also improves athletes’ performances and comes with additional benefits in skin and hair conditions.
You do not have to be a professional athlete to maintain your state of health. Learning from the best is what makes us better, though, so it is always useful to check out some tips and implement them in your daily routine.
