CBD for Athletes: What Does the Science Say?

As an athlete, you know the importance of taking care of your body. You eat healthy, exercise regularly, and take time to recover. But have you considered using CBD to help boost your performance?

Although this is still largely uncharted territory in terms of sports science and medicine, more athletes are discovering how CBD can improve their recovery time after intense training and reduce injury-related pain. I can help provide relief.

If this is something that interests you, read on to find out how CBD can give athletes like you that extra edge!

What is CBD?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC (marijuana’s primary psychoactive component), CBD does not produce any kind of ‘high’ or altered consciousness.

Instead, research shows its ability to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects that are physiological and Mental health pressure of players.^{[1] [2]}

How can you use CBD?

CBD can be used in many different forms, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular methods of consumption are edibles, tinctures, topicals, and inhalation.

Edible items

These are easy to take on the go and offer a delicious way to take CBD, but they can be more time-consuming than other methods of consumption.

Tincture

Tinctures are CBD-infused liquid drops that can be absorbed quickly under the tongue and provide a more direct route to blood flow.

Topicals

These are CBD-infused creams and salves that can be applied directly to the skin or muscle tissue to provide rapid relief from pain, inflammation, and pain.

inhaling (vaping)

This is the fastest way to use CBD because the vapor is directly absorbed into the bloodstream for faster effects. However, it has its own set of health risks associated with it that should be considered before trying.

Benefits of CBD for Athletes

The potential benefits of CBD for athletes are many. CBD has been shown to help with inflammation, pain relief, and even anxiety and depression. This means that CBD can potentially help athletes with many of the problems they face during and after competition.

Reduces inflammation.

From training to the big day on the field, track or pool, inflammation is one of the main issues that athletes face.

To some extent, inflammation is necessary. For example, your muscle fibers break down during strenuous exercise. This causes expected and normal levels of inflammation, which is treated by the body with repair hormones such as IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1).

When inflammation is excessive and chronic, it can cause problems for athletes that affect both recovery and performance.

CBD has been shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, which can help athletes recover from injuries more quickly.^[1][2]

How does CBD reduce inflammation?

How exactly does CBD work? Reduces inflammation Research is still being done. What is known, however, is that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating inflammation levels in the body.

CBD can also reduce oxidative stress and help reduce damage caused by over-exercise or injury. This can further improve recovery times and reduce the risk of tissue damage.^[1][2]

Pain

Despite nutrition, stretching and recovery, soreness can still be a problem for athletes, especially Knee pain.

Depending on the intensity of training and the efficacy of recovery, athletes may experience acute and/or chronic pain. Soreness is the result of excessive physical stress, strain, injuries, overtraining and under-recovery. The stress of competition can exacerbate this pain.

CBD has been suggested as an effective pain reliever, helping athletes feel more relaxed and less stressed before and during competition.^[3][4]

Continuing with the example above, with these players Medial knee pain Seeing a reduction in pain can be significantly beneficial, especially when related to delayed onset muscle soreness.

How does CBD reduce pain in the body?

Again, the mechanism is not fully understood, but what we do know is that CBD has been found to interact with the endocannabinoid system. This is the same system known to be involved in pain processing.

CBD interacts with receptors in the brain’s pain control center, and is thought to reduce inflammation and provide some. Relief from pain. However, more studies are needed to confirm and better understand this benefit of CBD supplements.^[3][4]

to sleep

Every athlete knows how important sleep is to recovery. This is when your body releases muscle-repairing hormones and compounds such as testosterone and growth hormone. If you skip sleep, you’ll miss out on results. You will also negatively affect your mental health. Sleep is when your brain “cleanses” itself, and without it, you’ll have a hard time concentrating and performing.

CBD has been shown to help people achieve Better quality sleep, which is essential for athletes who need to perform at their best. No matter what your chronotype is, CBD can help you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.

In a study on CBD for sleep, more than 66% of participants reported an improvement in overall sleep quality after taking CBD for one month. It was also found that CBD reduced anxiety levels in subjects. As we’ll discuss further below, this can be beneficial for athletes dealing with pre-competition nerves.^[5]

How does CBD help you sleep?

CBD has been linked to increased levels of natural endocannabinoids that are responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is thought to improve the quality and length of sleep, giving athletes the rest they need.

CBD is also thought to help regulate REM sleep, which can help reduce daytime fatigue and maintain alertness. CBD’s ability to reduce anxiety and stress can also help athletes get a better night’s sleep.^[5]

Anxiety and depression

Competition can be stressful, and it can have a big impact on a player’s performance. If an athlete is too stressed or anxious, they will not be able to focus and perform at their best level.

CBD has been shown to help reduce Performance anxiety And stress levels, which can be beneficial for athletes, directly affect both the physical and mental faculties required for performance.

How does CBD reduce anxiety?

The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed that CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system helps reduce anxiety levels on a neurochemical level. It has also been found to increase serotonin levels, which can help improve mood and manage stress.

CBD also helps reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. It can help athletes stay calm and relaxed during competitions, reduce their anxiety and improve their performance.^[5][6]

Possible Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD

As with any supplement, there is a chance of side effects and risks. Also, CBD is generally well tolerated with minimal to no serious side effects.

The most common side effects of CBD use are reported here:

• dry mouth
• Drowsiness or tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Nausea
• Low blood pressure

Risks of Using CBD as a Performance-Enhancing Supplement

Beyond the basic side effects, athletes have to be more concerned about whether they can use CBD and not get in trouble within their respective councils that oversee athletic drug testing.

First, CBD is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In 2018, CBD was removed from the list of banned substances and out of competition.

At the same time, THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana – is still illegal in competition with synthetic cannabinoids.

In other words, if you want to use CBD as part of your supplement routine, make sure you’re buying a variety that doesn’t contain THC.

Should athletes use CBD for recovery and performance?

There are mixed opinions about whether CBD should be used by athletes to improve their performance. Although studies show that CBD can help reduce inflammation, anxiety and pain while improving sleep, some sports experts believe there is not enough evidence to support these claims and more. Research is needed.

Based on current research, CBD may be helpful in reducing inflammation and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s body is different, so it’s possible that CBD may have different effects on different people.

As always, it is recommended to speak with your coach, nutritionist and doctor before using CBD as part of your nutrition and supplement program.

The bottom line

CBD oil is a promising supplement for athletes. While the foundation of any athletic training regimen should be a well-designed exercise plan, a consistent meal plan based on nutrient-dense foods and adequate sleep, supplements like CBD can give you extra support for recovery and performance. Can help provide an edge.

CBD can help reduce inflammation, pain, and performance anxiety while improving sleep quality and duration. However, further research is needed to determine the methodology and efficacy of larger study samples.