One of the realities of working on your health and fitness is the feeling of sore muscles the next day. Often this discomfort can discourage you from pushing yourself during a workout. However, the health and fitness market now offers a wide range of vitamins and supplements targeted towards workout recovery. One of the main products gaining popularity recently is CBD. With increasing use by athletes and sportspeople, muscle fatigue no longer needs to drag on for days. So how can CBD help with workout recovery?
CBD is one of the chemical components found in cannabis plants. It is found in both hemp and marijuana. CBD is categorized as a cannabinoid, however, it is not psychoactive like THC. This means that you will not get high from it. Many companies are now producing these products so the employment rate and cannabis jobs are also increasing. CBD is currently widely available in oil, capsule, gummy and balm form. An increase in the popularity of CBD products means even more items are being released such as bath products, cookies and even coffee.
One of the main benefits of CBD is its’ anti-inflammatory properties. As you workout you cause slight damage to your muscles, which can then cause inflammation and sometimes pain. CBD can help with both of these as it inhibits multiple enzymes and pathways at once whereas aspirin only inhibits a single enzyme. One of the ways CBD does this is by halting the breakdown of anandamide. Anandamide is a naturally occurring endocannabinoid produced by your body. When influenced by CBD, anandamide encourages your immune system to stop hyperactivity and excessive inflammation.
CBD is also well known for reducing anxiety, aiding with sleep and minimizing pain therefore making it a popular choice for those in high-pressure sporting environments.
The most popular time to use CBD for workout recovery is directly after you have worked out. However, be aware that oral CBD products can take up to 90 minutes to hit your bloodstream and begin working. As such some users will take CBD oil before their workout to aid in immediate recovery. You can also add CBD to your evening routine to help aid muscle recovery while you sleep. Additionally, you can use a CBD infused cream to help alleviate joint pain before a workout.
CBD does not enhance your performance. In fact, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed the CBD Cannabinoid from the banned substance list in 2019. However, all other Cannabinoids remain on the banned substance list. This means you should ensure any CBD products you use do not contain traces of THC if you are competing.
While CBD is safe in terms of toxicity, you may still experience some side-effects. When first starting out with CBD, you should start with a small dose to see how it affects you and your body. Every person is different, and as such you should discuss the use of CBD with your doctor, especially if you use other medications.
However, some of the possible side-effects are;
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in bowel movements
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Increase in liver enzymes
CBD is not just for professional athletes. When it comes to rebuilding muscle and helping decrease inflammation CBD can help your workout recovery if you choose to use it. It's a newer treatment only more recently available but the studies are showing good promise. You should consider using CBD if you are experiencing pain, discomfort and inflammation on your fitness journey.
