CBD (also known as cannabidiol) has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent with pain-relieving properties. Initial research also indicates that it can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep quality. With its current rise in popularity, many people are trying to discover even more potential health benefits of using CBD. Below, you will find an in-depth analysis of how CBD can enhance your physical and mental performance, and help you recover from strenuous exercise.
CBD Reduces Inflammation
One of the main reasons CBD is beneficial for athletes is its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to an irritant. During the inflammation process, your white blood cells protect you from infection due to viruses, bacteria, or other foreign objects (such as splinters) in the body. Common symptoms of inflammation include redness, swelling, joint pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness.
Inflammation can be the cause of acute pain in a person’s joints or muscles. It can also be one of the main hindrances to optimal physical performance. When you are inflamed, your muscles become tight, and your range of motion is reduced. This can lead to reduced strength and stamina, and ultimately, poor performance.
CBD has analgesic potential, which means that it can reduce pain related to inflammation. This can benefit athletes struggling with discomfort from injuries, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), and other types of muscular or skeletal pain. Athletes who take CBD for the first time may notice that they experience less severe inflammation. This is beneficial because it helps to reduce their perception of pain and improve their range of motion.
CBD Can Improve Sleep Quality
If you are an athlete, you surely know how important a good night’s sleep is. When you sleep your body repairs itself, your muscles have a chance to grow, and you experience recovery from the stresses of the previous day.
By using premium-grade CBD products, you can support your body’s natural sleep cycle and improve your sleep quality. There are two ways in which you can achieve this.
Firstly, if you use CBD oil or tincture drops underneath your tongue before you go to bed, the cannabidiol will be absorbed into your bloodstream, and you should start feeling its soothing effects within 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can add CBD oil to your diffuser or vaporizer and try aromatherapy treatment before bedtime. CBD also works excellently with other essential oils, especially those with relaxing and sedative effects, such as lavender oil or chamomile oil.
CBD Has Anti-Catabolic Properties
CBD has the ability to reduce muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy refers to the thinning or wasting away of muscle mass. During exercise, your body breaks down muscle tissue in order to fuel the energy systems required for physical activity. However, when you are resting and recovering from training sessions or competitions, it is vital that this process is reversed so that your muscles can grow bigger and stronger. CBD can potentially decrease muscle tearing by reducing the activity of enzymes that break down muscle tissue.
CBD Reduces Anxiety and Stress Levels
Another way in which cannabidiol can improve your performance and recovery is by reducing anxiety and stress levels. As these mental and emotional issues can lead to fatigue, muscle tension, and poor focus, they can significantly impact an athlete’s overall performance.
CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress by interacting with the serotonin receptors in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating your mood, sleep, appetite, and social behavior. Furthermore, it inhibits the release of cortisol, which is a stress hormone that breaks down muscle tissue, among other functions.
CBD Enhances Focus and Concentration Levels
Finally, by reducing anxiety levels, cannabidiol can also help improve your focus and concentration levels during long and tedious training sessions or competitions. This can be highly beneficial for athletes who need to focus on their technique to elevate their performance.
It is also common knowledge that performing exercises in the wrong way can have adverse effects on your long term health. CBD can help you to concentrate on the exact movements you need to execute in order to minimize the risk of injury.
To Conclude
While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that CBD can enhance your performance and help you recover from exercise, scientific research on the topic is still in its infancy. However, as more studies are conducted on humans, we will likely get a better understanding of how cannabidiol affects athletic performance and recovery.
Currently, it is thought that CBD can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve sleep quality. Furthermore, the substance is believed to have anti-catabolic effects and increase appetite levels. Lastly, cannabidiol may help reduce anxiety levels and enhance focus and concentration during training sessions or competitions.
If you are an athlete who is looking for a natural way to boost your performance and recovery from exercise, then CBD may help. However, as with all supplements, it is always best to speak with your doctor before using any new products – especially if you are currently taking medication or have a pre-existing medical condition.
