CBD and Sports Performance, Repair and Recovery

Reading time – 10 minutes

Discover new ways to bounce back from muscle injuries, inflammation, and soreness with cannabidiol (CBD) products. Athletes undergoing intense training exercises often find themselves unable to perform their best due to these underlying issues. Recovery takes time, and athletes can suffer a drop in performance levels after a long hiatus.

CBD allows athletes to recuperate faster and reclaim their optimum performance levels. In addition, athletes can minimize muscle soreness and bounce back from strenuous workouts with CBD products. Below, we discuss the uses of CBD for muscle pain, recovery, and repair and how it can enhance sports performance.

What Exercise Affects the Body?

There are numerous health benefits to participating in sports or a regular exercise routine. From the apparent increase of strength and mobility to a reduction in stress levels, moderate activity three times a week or more will provide a host of advantages.

Individuals can maintain a healthy weight, build stamina and cardiovascular health, and improve flexibility and overall mental health. However, even with these advantages, athletes involved in intense sports or continuous physical activity may experience gradual wear and tear of their bodies over time.

Vigorous workout regimes tend to strain muscles resulting in damaged muscle fibers at a microscopic level. To avoid suffering from any long-term muscle tissue damage, individuals require ample recovery time to rebuild microscopic muscle fibers and allow the body time to heal.

The body naturally repairs these injured muscles, making them stronger and increasing their size. This process makes it easier for your body to perform the same workout next time around. For some individuals, using anti-inflammatories and CBD products can help reduce recovery time and get them back to participating in their favourite sport sooner.

What Is CBD?

First discovered in 1940, cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid extracted from the hemp variety of the Cannabis sativa plant. The cannabinoid undergoes an infusion process with a carrier oil like coconut MCT oil or hemp oil to make administering the substance easier.

Cannabidiol stands as one of 113 cannabinoids identified in the cannabis hemp plant. It makes up about 40% of the extracts derived from the plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce intoxicating effects as a psychoactive product.

It does not create the iconic euphoric feeling an individual would get from partaking in THC products. Instead, it can be useful in treating various conditions like sleep issues, chronic pain, and muscle recovery.

CBD is also safe to use while working out, operating a vehicle, and doing other daily activities. With that said, some broad-spectrum CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC. We recommend conducting thorough research about the contents before purchasing one.

How Does CBD Work With Our Body?

Understanding CBD and how it works involves exploring the natural Endocannabinoid System (ECS) present in the human body. The growing interest in cannabis and the various researches conducted on it led to its discovery in 1988.

The ECS represents a neuromodulator that balances the activities of many major systems and regulates several functions in the human body, including:

• Appetite and digestive functions
• Bone health
• Cardiovascular health
• Circulatory system
• Fertility and reproduction
• Inflammation
• Immune response
• Liver function
• Memory
• Metabolism
• Mood
• Pain reception
• Sleep
• Skin and nerve receptors
• Stress

A 2015 review published in the journal ‘Substance Abuse’ also indicated how CBD oil helps people deal with substance abuse. In addition, a study in JCI Insight published in 2017 showed that CBD oil may potentially relieve high blood pressure.

However, naturally occurring endocannabinoid molecules are present within everyone, but the amount a body creates is diverse and unique. In addition, a body produces them as required, so it can be challenging to determine an amount between individuals.

The Differences Between CBD and ECS

The ECS naturally produces cell receptors and endocannabinoids. The cell receptors bind with cannabinoids and influence the type and number of cell receptors created. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors found in the human body, including the skin.

Unlike THC, CBD does not bind itself to the cell receptors. However, it signals the ECS to produce more cell receptors and influences how the body responds to disease, injury, or discomfort.

Some individuals may be deficient in endocannabinoids, creating underlying health issues that do not respond to traditional treatment plans. However, research shows that CBD possesses anti-anxiety, anti-cancer, and anti-seizure properties. Other studies also discussed the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol.

Is CBD Safe?

Studies show that CBD can reduce certain types of pain, including back pain and nerve pain. Some studies also show it is an effective treatment alternative for discomfort from many circumstances, including intense exercise or injury. However, can we deem it safe?

Some countries allow the usage of CBD for inflammation and treating pain related to underlying health conditions. However, the differences between CBD and THC can determine its legality in your area and if they are safe to use as an everyday treatment or for recreational purposes.

Studies show that CBD is safe to use in many circumstances without creating any psychedelic side-effects that cannabinoids with THC contain.

A study from the Journal of Cannabis Research shows glaring advantages in a test group with various CBD products, including pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Before and After Activity?

Athletes involved in heavy training exercises often suffer from pain and muscle soreness. Various CBD products can provide alternative results ranging from localized relief or a broad effective solution for reducing muscle inflammation, pain, and soreness.

A 2006 research article points out the therapeutic properties of CBD and how it boosts anandamide production. Anandamide represents a pain-relieving chemical. Alternatively, taking small doses of CBD before and after workouts can provide several results.

Read more on CBD and sports performance review of evidence in this related article.

CBD Benefits Before Activity

Individuals may find several benefits when using CBD products before any exercise. For example, because CBD has calming properties to reduce anxious feelings, athletes may improve performance under stressful situations.

CBD has anti-catabolic effects, which can aid in building lean muscle mass efficiently. In addition, it helps to minimize the cortisol response to physical stress a body gets from activity, focusing on protein synthesis and promoting muscle tissue growth.

This way, utilizing CBD for fitness has several positive advantages for individuals, from recreational to professional athletes.

CBD Benefits After Activity

The human body’s ECS interacts with CBD and affects bodily responses like pain perception and sleep quality. Although low-level inflammation stimulates muscle growth, excessive inflammation slows down the recovery process.

Products like CBD oil tinctures, creams, and locations can provide targeted pain relief to strained or pulled muscles. In addition, taking CBD for muscle recovery can induce better sleep quality, reduce cortisol levels, minimize inflammation, and produce hormones needed for muscle repair.

What CBD Products Work Best for Relief and Recovery?

There are numerous ways for athletes to provide relief and improve recovery before, during, and after a workout. From following a proper diet to getting adequate sleep and taking in enough water, sometimes additional products like CBD are beneficial.

Individuals looking for CBD products to help boost recovery time and provide relief after a strenuous workout have numerous choices. Many topical and oral CBD products on the market may provide effective results when dealing with relief and recovery.

We recommend using CBD products in small doses of about a few milligrams at the beginning. Then, journal the effects, increase the dosage if the relief proves inadequate, and continue to do so over the weeks until you find your personal dose.

Some of the most effective products include CBD vape, oil drops, and creams.

CBD Vape

CBD vape products represent one of the most convenient methods of CBD consumption. It provides you with a discreet way to enjoy the health benefits of CBD. The vapour from CBD vaping does not linger or stick to clothes, making it possible for you to inhale it without bothering people around you. Below, we discuss the various aspects of CBD vape.

Is CBD Vape Considered Safe?

CBD vaping does not induce intoxication because of the absence of THC. The products that contain THC also hold only trace amounts of up to 0.2% making them legally compliant. The World Health Organization, in its report, described CBD as “well-tolerated and safe for human consumption.”

The Food Standards Agency recommends a maximum dosage of 70 mg of CBD for healthy adults per day.

CBD Oil Drops

CBD oil drops represent one of the purest forms of cannabidiol. Because oil is easily absorbed into the body, people who took these CBD products displayed results quicker than other forms of CBD products, such as topical creams.

How To Use CBD Oil for Pain

The most effective way to use CBD oil is sublingually by holding the oil under your tongue for approximately 30 seconds. This way, the sublingual glands can absorb the CBD oil directly into the bloodstream, retaining its potency.

This dosing method also aids in speeding up the effects. For example, someone who sublingually takes CBD oil for muscle recovery will see benefits within 15-20 minutes.

CBD Cream

CBD cream products belong to the category of topical CBD items. Studies show that CBD cream may reduce inflammation, balance cortisol levels, and regulate pain perception, especially for those with chronic pain. It helps athletes experiencing muscle soreness from workouts recover faster.

Other studies indicate how CBD cream can help improve sleep quality and boost recovery. In addition, you can choose a particular CBD cream for muscle recovery and repair from the many types available on the market. These creams alleviate muscle tightness and provide pain relief.

CBD topicals provide many potential benefits when applied to the skin. It enables the ECS to function more effectively. Ointments containing cannabinoids allow the CBD to mimic the functions of natural endocannabinoids produced by the human body.

It also triggers non-cannabinoid receptors like gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, and serotonin receptors. As a result, it helps the skin’s ECS maintain a balance in the targeted area, reducing inflammation, redness, or irritation symptoms.

CBD creams may also minimize the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

The antioxidant properties and fatty acids of CBD nourish and protect the skin. CBD also possesses moisturizing properties because of Omega 3, Omega 6, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E content. Additionally, CBD acts as an antioxidant that keeps the skin protected against free radicals that can damage delicate layers of the skin.

Infused Amphora’s Repair Sport Recovery CBD Cream

One popular product for effective relief is Amphora’s Repair Sport Recovery CBD Cream. This product is entirely vegan, is not tested on animals, and is ideal for both before and after a strenuous workout or whenever you need relief.

This high-quality CBD topical cream goes through a rigorous third-party lab testing process to ensure purity and content and uses 100% certified organic hemp. It has been formulated with an innovative nano-encapsulation technology. This protects the CBD molecule as you rub it into your skin, which in turn helps the body absorb it.

One pump from the 500ml bottle provides 20mg of pure CBD for inflammation, pain relief, and muscle discomfort. Individuals can see results as soon as 40 minutes from application and have long-lasting effects.

Conclusion

ECS care represents one of the best ways to maintain a healthy body. Optimal maintenance includes supporting muscle fibers and tissues' ongoing care and healing process. Understanding the relationship between the ECS and cannabidiols can provide the best way to care for our bodies properly.

CBD vapes, oils, creams, and lotions contain anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. All these components can help reduce discomfort from exercise and improve numerous body functions.

Making the right choices in CBD products can go a long way in promoting sports performance, muscle repair, and recovery. Whether an athlete needs CBD anti-inflammatory products, or oil for pain relief, selecting high-quality items that contain pure elements will provide the best results possible.

Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional advice.

 

 

Written by | Infused Amphora Team

The Infused Amphora Team is dedicated to creating resources to educate and engage consumers on the growing evidence of CBD benefits and the extensive health and wellness properties of CBD Oil.

Contributor  | Angus Taylor CEO