CBD in Sports. Why would athletes take CBD?

As an athlete, we discipline our mind and body to sculpt and endure.  As a result of pushing our bodies to our limit, it is common to experience pain, fatigue, and inflammation from our training schedules and fitness practices.  There are products with CBD for Athletes that are helping improve fitness routines. 

CBD sports use

With the growing acceptance of cannabis use taking place, people are looking for ways to incorporate the benefits of the cannabis plant into their fitness routines. Because of this, CBD oil (Cannabidiol) has become increasingly popular for its miraculous benefits and non-intoxicating effect. 

Cannabidiol CBD (commonly sold as CBD oil) is available to purchase in many different forms and athletes can utilize its benefits in all types of forms, there are, CBD oil topical skincare products, CBD oil ingestible products, and even CBD oil vaporizers that could improve the daily lives and routines of athletes, because CBD influences vascular function.

CBD benefits and effects

CBD is one of the 150 known cannabinoids found in cannabis and is found in high concentrations of industrial hemp. Initial data suggest CBD has become highly popular due to the ways that it can help people, and the fact that it does not cause any intoxicating or psychoactive effects- like CBD’s counter cannabinoid THC does. 

Cannabinoids like CBD work within our bodies' Endocannabinoid system (ECS), a vast communication system within our entire body.  The Endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors embedded throughout our body, and its purpose is to keep our bodies in a state of homeostasis - aka balance.  Our body creates Endocannabinoids, and we can supplement The ECS with Phytocannabinoids like CBD.  Every cannabinoid has its own unique effect on our body. 

When you supplement your system (even central nervous system) with CBD, you may feel reduced pain and inflammation, have less stress, better sleep, or find relief from other symptoms. 

What are the benefits of CBD for Athletes?

When it comes to recovery, utilizing painkillers or NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) has been a practice for many athletes.  Unfortunately, these are likely to cause physical dependence as well as unwanted side effects. Because of this, athletes are beginning to replace prescription drugs with CBD.  The benefits of CBD can be a great addition to your workout practice.  Here are a few reasons why CBD is a good choice for athletes.

CBD for athletes: Improving Muscle Recovery

Studies have shown that CBD may have the ability to reduce inflammation. This makes CBD a very useful recovery supplement for athletes. 

Strenuous exercise can cause normal wear and tear on the body and leads to tiny tears in muscle tissue which leads to inflammation. Your body then repairs the damaged tissue and builds it up to be stronger and healthier muscle tissue. Although this is normal and also leads to muscle gains, there are certainly times when you can push it too far. 

The exercise induced muscle damage and inflammation in these instances are not useful and may even reduce fitness gains, causing injuries in the process. The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil may help heal the muscle soreness from difficult and strenuous workouts so you can continue to train hard and feel less inflamed and sore the following day. 

CBD for Athletes: Alleviate Pain

Do you know that inflammatory pain is the most common pain that many athletes experience?  Researchers are starting to evaluate the potential of using CBD as a considerably safer remedy for inflammatory pain.

Other than the inflammatory and neuropathic pain, as an athlete you may feel chronic pain, bone pain, arthritis pain, and so much more. Studies have found that CBD may have an analgesic effect, helping reduce pain perception in the brain (maybe even after mild traumatic brain injury).

CBD for Athletes: Getting Better sleep

As an athlete, sleep plays an important role in your life as it helps with the recovery of muscles, and CBD can help. CBD has certain properties that help control sleep.  With many testimonials and research studies, it is found that CBD may reduce insomnia causing symptoms such as anxiety. 

Studies are now showing that a cannabinoid called CBN (Cannabinol) is found in hemp and has sedative properties that help to induce sleep. Because the VIIA Broad Spectrum CBD + CBN Night Drops contains CBN, you may find that you get better relaxation and sleep. 

CBD for Athletes: Less stress means better game day

Although we may be physically prepared for an event we are competing in, that game day anxiety and stress can take over our minds, putting unwanted pressure on ourselves to perform to the best of our ability. Because CBD oil helps keep our bodies in balance, it regulates stress hormones and helps keep us in a calm and focused state.  Here is a report that sites 49 different studies on CBD and reducing anxiety.

This means that by taking CBD oil on the day of the big event, you can focus better on the task at hand and perform your best. 

CBD for Athletes: Stronger immunity

There is no worse feeling than tirelessly training for a big event over a couple of months, and then getting sick leading up to the big day. Recent studies are showing that CBD oil can help strengthen your immune system to help you reduce the chances of getting sick. 

CBD oil is high in antioxidants, this means that it may help lower your risk of infection while having positive benefits on your body’s defense mechanism and may also help improve heart health. 

What is the best CBD for athletes to use?

As an athlete, you are already used to supplements. Consider CBD products and supplements just another addition to your routine.

Sublingual CBD:  CBD Drops are the best ways to add CBD to your fitness routine.  They are fairly easy to use, by placing a dosage under your tongue and holding before swallowing.  The glands under your tongue absorb the CBD into your system. This is probably the best effect of CBD for athletes, as the effects are long and this allows CBD to stay in your system for many days. Oral CBD oil pharmacokinetics will give you the whole-body benefits for a sustained period of time. 

From the VIIA CBD Drops collection, The Day Drops are a fantastic way to supplement your pre-workout or game day.  The Night Drops are excellent for recovery and sleep. 

CBD Gummies:  CBD Gummies may be another way to use CBD in your fitness routine but are not as highly recommended as the Drops.  While CBD Gummies are extremely easy to dose and add into a routine - using gummies have longer onset times and typically contain some sugar.  Sugar can cause inflammation.  

CBD Roll On:  CBD roll-ons are a fantastic way to pain relief and inflammation right at the source, especially if you have an injury or pain in a localized area. The CBD oil in the roll on will target the local receptors through the skin and will start acting immediately to provide relief. 

VIIA CBD roll-ons go far beyond your average CBD topical, our products are fast absorbing and rich in powerful herbs such as Arnica, Calendula, St John's wort, and Comfrey. These herbs work in synergy with CBD oil to ensure you are getting the maximum anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties from the roll on.   The VIIA Cooling Menthol Roll on is possibly the best topical product for athletes. 

Takeaway

• Athletes should try using CBD in their routines
• CBD for Athletes may help reduce muscle inflammation and pain. 
• CBD for athletes can help with sleep and stress
• CBD drops are a great way for athletes to enjoy the benefits of CBD
• CBD topicals can help localized pain

FAQ