Just about everyone is hyping CBD these days, so it is no surprise that hemp and CBD products have made their way into the fitness world. With cannabis at the forefront of the wellness movement, it has become a popular option to use to recover from tough workouts. CBD stands for cannabidiol, one of the many chemical compounds found in the cannabis Sativa plant, and it shares a lot of the same anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), except CBD is not psychoactive (i.e. it does not get you high).

CBD is derived from the marijuana and hemp species of the cannabis plant; when it is extracted and diluted with a carrier oil like hemp seed oil or coconut oil, you get CBD oil which you can now find infused in everything from oils to massage creams, coffee, bath bombs, and chocolates. You will also find it in supermarkets and health store shelves as well as holistic and wellness websites in the form of tinctures, CBD oils, and salves that promise major health benefits.

If you are someone involved in intense fitness training or sports, you are likely to be familiar with the feeling of exhaustion from game day or a tough workout, or of nausea and fatigue from dehydration. CBD has been known to reduce many problems related to health and fitness – such as muscle fatigue, inflammation, and pain relief. Many people are starting to look towards cannabis products as an all-natural alternative/supplement to help in recovery from their intense workouts.

In fact, CBD might just be the new way to kick your fitness game up a few notches, whether it is used as pre-workout or post-workout treatment. CBD holds some great therapeutic properties that can help with conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, indigestion, etc.; therefore, supplementing CBD tinctures and oils may support your fitness goals. Here are some ways in which cannabis is changing the game for fitness fanatics everywhere and why you might consider adding it to your workout regime.

1. CBD for Pain Relief

For any fitness enthusiast aches, pains and swellings are common occurrences and when we train our bodies hard we can suffer from muscle fatigue. Whether you work out at a professional level or just recreationally, pain can get in the way of performance. CBD has been shown to inhibit the body’s absorption of anandamide, which is a compound associated with pain regulation and has been proven beneficial for hard-to-treat pain cases like fibromyalgia, muscle spasm, arthritis, and neuralgia.

CBD has also helped to treat chronic pain, muscle pain, and joint pain, as it has been proven to reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers. According to this guide from Kyro, it is thought that lower doses of CBD oil are more effective in pain patients and professionals recommend you do not exceed a dosage of 5-10 per day when using CBD for this purpose.

2. CBD for Improved Nutrition

The supply of essential nutrients is vital for fitness enthusiasts to keep them going through their workout sessions, and lack of essential dietary supplements like carbohydrates proteins and fats will inhibit muscle growth can and can weaken the muscles. Hemp-derived CBD oil contains essential nutrients such as protein, fibre, B complex vitamins, iron, calcium, fatty acids, etc. By shutting off certain receptors in your body, CBD can help you avoid the urge to overeat, which will help maintain lean body weight as well.

3. CBD for Sleep and Relaxation

Aching muscles, long hours of practice, and exhausting workout routines can sometimes be the reason for lack of sleep; cannabinoids are known to have both a relaxing and sedative effect on its users. CBD has been shown to improve sleep quality and duration while reducing the effects of fatigue and inflammation which will leave you refreshed, energised, and will have a dramatic impact on your overall performance and fitness.

According to this article on Daily CBD Mag, CBD oil seems to boost the activity of the endocannabinoid system, a series of receptors that aid in body homeostasis, needed to lock in on a healthy sleep cycle. If you are looking for an alternative to conventional sleep medications that can have many side effects and be habit-forming you might want to consider looking into CBD products as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

4. CBD for Anxiety and Mood

In fitness, a robust nervous system is extremely crucial to perform well, and a person with an anxious mind may find it harder to focus fully on physical training. CBD has been proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression by interacting with the adenosine and serotonin receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Since these receptors play an important role in maintaining good mental health, CBD, by regulating serotonin levels, may help to keep them at bay. Click this link to see recommended CBD products.

Getting low on energy is a serious impediment for fitness levels as address tricks that activities or workouts. By reducing anxiety and stress, CBD allows you to focus your energy in the right direction, helping you have a more efficient and relaxing workout.

5. CBD for Post-workout Recovery

CBD, with its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural post-workout aid and helps with the soreness of joints, muscles, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). CBD can suppress inflammation which means that your muscles can recover more quickly after an intensive workout; which in turn means less pain and discomfort, and could also mean a reduced number of rest days between intense workout sessions. Since CBD also helps boost mood, reduce anxiety, and promote a good night’s sleep, it also aids in muscle and post-workout recovery.

Summary

If you are new to CBD, make sure you have decided how you would like to consume it, be it in the form of tinctures, supplements, or vapes. Be careful with the dosage, start with a modest dose of around 10mg per day.

Before adding CBD to your regime make sure you consult with a medical professional to ensure that it does not conflict with any other medical conditions or medicine you may be taking.

Exhaustion, discomfort, and pain are an inevitable part of your journey to a fit body.  CBD may help you take care of such troubles so that you can focus on your fitness goals without worries.  CBD not only helps with specific issues related to health and fitness but is also helpful in improving your overall immunity and mental setup.