There’s a lot of talk about CBD and its health benefits right now. This is considered a natural remedy that can treat numerous different symptoms. It is widely used to relieve pain. The human body naturally produces endocannabinoids, neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors and relieve pain. CBD works in the same way and reduces chronic pain and inflammation. CBD is also quite effective in treating depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This comes from CBD’s ability to act on serotonin receptors which are a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior. It was also shown that this oil can be useful in treating cancer and reducing seizures in children with Dravet Syndrome.
Why should athletes use it?
Now, athletes are interested in discovering the benefits of CBD as well. It seems that CBD is quite effective in helping you recover faster after a strong workout. Every workout causes small damages to our muscles. As the damage is being repaired, our muscles become inflamed making us feel sore. These microtears make the body increase the size and strength of the muscles. CBD is a component found in cannabis plants and is similar to THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, but without all of the psychoactive effects. As merryjane.com explains, CBD will reduce the inflammation and with it the pain.
How does it work
Cannabinoid receptors include CB1 receptors and CB2. CB1 is mainly found in the brain, while CB2 is found in cells that belong to the immune system. That’s why it’s assumed that CBD can play a major role in suppressing the inflammation. They can reduce the production of cytokines, chemokine, and increase the production of T-regulatory cells.
The review from 2018 of 132 original studies published in Frontiers in Neurology, shows that CBD can truly reduce the inflammation and help with the pain. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory abilities, but it is also antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective.
An intensive workout can cause us to turn to pain killers such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or NSAID. However, CBD offers us a more natural, safe, and efficient solution.
CBD oil has a really low concentration of THC and it’s often extracted from the plant and used as a concentrate.
Many massage therapists have started using CBD oils and lotions into their treatment. CBD oil can be very effective when it’s applied locally, as an ointment on the sore spot. Also, numerous famous athletes such as Nate Diaz, have started using CBD oils to help them recover after a workout.
Other than oils, CBD can come in the form of a lotion, a cream, tincture, or capsule. Also, it’s pretty safe to combine it with your other daily supplements. You can also add oil to your meals, salads, dressings, post-workout smoothies, juices, and even your coffee.
It’s good to know that CBD is permitted in competition for everyone who has to comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA. Furthermore, under the Farm Act of 2018, hemp and CBD are now legal across all 50 states.
