CBD is in everything nowadays — oils, gummies, drinks, lotions, sunscreen, lip balm — even dog treats!
Part of the reason for this is the wide variety of reasons people may turn to CBD. Many use it for improved focus, sleep, anxiety relief, just general relaxation, CBD is a versatile cannabinoid that has unlimited potential health benefits.
Recently, this has emerged in the workout community, as fitness enthusiasts are turning to CBD for post-workout relief. But is there any science to back it up? Does CBD actually provide any relief? Let’s dig in.
What Is CBD & Is It Safe To Use?
First, a quick refresher on CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the numerous cannabinoids that is abundant in the cannabis plant. CBD has become popular for its signature calming effect and other health benefits.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it contains less than 0.3 percent of THC, the cannabinoid that produces the signature “high” associated with marijuana.
If a CBD product is “broad-spectrum,” it means that it contains no THC. Meanwhile, full-spectrum CBD refers to products that have the minimal (< 0.3% THC) amount, but are able to take advantage of what’s known as the “entourage effect” where the cannabinoids work together to produce stronger effects. However, for many users, even trace amounts of THC in their products pose too much of a risk.
To date, CBD has been found safe to use and will not produce a high, just its noted calming effect, which will vary from product to product.
What Are The Benefits Of CBD?
Scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD has vast potential to help with numerous physical, mental, and emotional ailments.
These may include:
- Pain relief
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Improved heart health
- Acne treatment
- Treatment of epilepsy
- Anti-tumor effects and treatment of cancer-related symptoms
- And more
So how can CBD help with post-workout recovery? Let’s take a look at why we need help with recovery in the first place.
Why Do We Get Sore After A Workout?
If you’re here, you know that maintaining an active lifestyle is imperative to long-term good health. But sometimes, we push our workouts a bit too hard or tweak something during our normal activity, and end up with sore muscles for days (or more) after a workout.
Believe it or not, the aches and pains you feel are actually the result of tiny tears and damage to our muscle fibers. When our muscles are damaged, it causes inflammation, producing the soreness and fatigue we feel, which is actually our body working to repair itself.
We often turn to our favorite painkillers and anti-inflammatories for relief, but those who want to move away from chemical solutions are becoming curious about CBD’s potential. You too? Then time to see if it actually works.
Can CBD Help With Workout Recovery?
CBD has many known therapeutic effects which combine to help with post-workout recovery.
Ant-Inflammatory & Pain Relief
The most obvious benefit of CBD for post-workout recovery is its natural anti-inflammatory properties. This comes with numerous trickle-down benefits.
For example, when you can decrease inflammation, you help your muscles heal faster, improving your recovery time. Consider also that when you go into a workout without soreness, you’ll be more likely to maintain your form, helping to prevent future soreness.
Because CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to help our muscles recover, it also helps our muscles grow. This means CBD can also help with those elusive gains in the gym or improve your game on the course as a double recovery/muscle-boosting supplement.
Best of all, CBD can be as effective as other pain relievers but comes without the many side effects.
Balance & Focus
Muscle soreness is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to workout recovery. Not only does your body get tired, but also your mind. CBD can help balance and activate our endocannabinoid system, which produces endorphins that we need for stamina in focus. This means you can combat brain fog and mental fatigue with CBD supplements.
Get Better Sleep
The most neglected part of workout recovery is getting proper rest. A good night’s sleep is vital to restore our energy and get back out there the next day. But with so many Americans struggling with sleep, many of us need a little help.
Thankfully, CBD users have reported experiencing more restful sleep, as well as being able to fall asleep faster and more easily.
Since much of our muscle recovery happens while we sleep, CBD gives us the double benefit of working to repair inflammation while helping us get a better night’s rest. That’s a big win, win!
Is CBD Legal For Athletes?
Simply answer: yes. As long as you ensure that your CBD product does not contain any THC, you should be fine.
This means the best way to ensure you are getting a safe CBD product is to purchase broad spectrum CBD from a reputable brand that has conducted independent third-party testing on its products. Broad-spectrum CBD products are THC-free and will not trigger a failed drug test.
How To Use CBD For Workout Recovery
Since CBD products come in a wide variety of options, you can choose your favorite road to recovery.
You can use a tincture to take CBD oil droplets orally to aid in your recovery or add a few drops to your favorite post-workout smoothie. CBD gummies offer a great option for relief on the go or before a round. And CBD cooling and warming muscle balm are perfect for, you guessed it, cooling down or warming up.
Don’t forget: the best recovery often results from proper preparation. So choose the CBD routine that works best for you!
Should You Use CBD For Workout Recovery?
Absolutely! CBD can indeed provide an effective option for post-workout recovery. CBD products will help you recover faster from your workouts, gain the mental clarity and focus you need to maintain proper form, and get a better night’s rest.
CBD products can help prevent future injury and soreness, allowing you to improve your game rather than having to deal with nagging injuries. See if Bentgrass Premium CBD products might just be the perfect addition to your pre- and post-workout routine — the perfect addition to your gym and golf bags.