Pro athletes put their bodies through a lot. Every time the body is put through some kind of strenuous physical activity, muscles tear and break down. The body does this naturally so fat dissolves and muscles can grow back bigger and better than before. Unfortunately, this process can lead to inflammation, pain, sleeplessness and sometimes injury. Some athletes use pharmaceutical medications to ease their pain, but many are turning to a more natural alternative – CBD.
CBD For Athletes
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid produced by cannabis plants. It doesn’t have any psychoactive effects like marijuana-produced THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) does. Instead of interacting with the brain in a way that causes a “high”, CBD works with several important systems to keep the body working smoothly. Here at Quitnet, we’ve covered the topic of CBD and the best CBD oils several times in the past so we’ll try not to repeat the same information again.
Here are some of the benefits of CBD:
- Decrease inflammation
- Heal muscles and reduce spasms
- Helps with pain relief
- Reduce sleeplessness
- Relax the mix
- Cut down on nausea and vomiting
More and more athletes are using CBD before and after hard workouts to help their bodies relax, recover and rejuvenate.
Can CBD Enhance Athletic Performance?
CBD is becoming popular among those in high-impact, high-risk sports such as mixed martial arts, football, and triathlons.
Previously CBD was closely associated with THC, and its effects on the body were somewhat mysterious to the general public. Because of this, CBD was listed as a “banned” substance for many years by USADA.
Athletes speaking out against the ban and researchers bringing light to CBD’s health benefits led to the substance being removed from the USADA ban list at the beginning of 2018 (1).
Here are some popular athletes who believe in CBD and its natural therapeutic properties.
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Nate Diaz – UFC Fighter
UFC fighter Nate Diaz was one of the first athletes to publicly use CBD and fight against USADA requirements. He later received a public warning from USADA (2).
“It helps with the healing process, inflammation, stuff like that. So you want to get these for before and after fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place,” Diaz said after vaping CBD at a 2016 post-fight press conference.
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Leonard Marshall – Retired NFL Player
Retired NFL player Leonard Marshall is also an outspoken advocate of CBD use among athletes. After years of concussions led to post-retirement brain damage, Marshall said using CBD improved his memory and helped him control his behavior. He told the press during an interview that he sees CBD as a great alternative to prescription pain and depression medications (3).
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Ross Rebagilati – Canadian Olympian
Canadian Olympian Ross Rebagilati nearly lost his gold medal from the 1996 winter Olympics when he tested positive for having a small amount of marijuana in his system (4). He has advocated for the use of both marijuana and CBD products since.
“CBD is one of the most effective substances for treating inflammatory issues, aches and pains caused by the physical punishment world-class athletes must readily endure to train and compete at a high level,” Rebagilati said during an interview (5).
Other high-profile athletes who use CBD include mountain biker Teal Stetson-Lee, ultrarunner Avery Collins, triathlon athlete Andrew Talansky, UFC fighter Gina Mazany, CrossFit athlete Brooke Ence and NFL player Derrick Morgan, among others.
The best CBD products for athletes
The 4 most popular CBD brands athletes are using are cbdMD, CBD Pure, Green Roads World and Blessed CBD oil in the UK. These brands all offer full spectrum hemp oil, CBD topicals and edibles that are great for pain management (with no side effects).
How To Use CBD Products
CBD can also be taken through tinctures, capsules, topical creams or even edibles such as CBD gummies and brownies. There are even CBD shots on the market made to boost energy before a workout or relax the muscles afterward.
Tinctures are taken by placing a small amount of oil beneath the tongue where it is held for several seconds before swallowing. Tinctures are absorbed through the mucus membrane in the mouth allowing CBD to hit the bloodstream directly. Tinctures can take effect within 15 minutes and up to 35% of CBD is absorbed.
Edibles and capsules are easy and quick to take. They pass through the digestive system before being absorbed. It takes a little longer for edibles and capsules to be absorbed, but once they are, they can last up to eight hours. Between 6 and 15% of CBD is absorbed by edibles.
When vaping, eating or using a tincture for CBD, the compound is absorbed internally and has several positive effects on both the mind and body. However, CBD can also be taken via a salve, lotion or cream for targeted, topical relief.
Applied topically, CBD can reduce inflammation, alleviate muscle soreness, sooth irritated, itchy skin, alleviate joint pain and act as an antioxidant.
Cannabinoids & Recovery Time
The healing effects cannabinoids such as CBD have on the body have been studied time and again (6).
Researchers have found that cannabinoids interact with a system within the body called the endocannabinoid system, which is necessary for the body to maintain homeostasis. Cannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system to improve the body’s recovery process. CB1 receptors are associated with the central nervous system while CB2 receptors work within lateral systems such as the immune system (7).
When CBD and other cannabinoids are absorbed into the body, they interact with these receptors to reduce inflammation, inhibit cell proliferation, reduce nausea and vomiting, relax muscles to promote healing, reduce the rate of muscle spasms, change the way pain receptors respond to injuries and chronic pain, and help relax the mind for a full night’s sleep.
CBD even travels into other systems to interact with vanilloid pain receptors and serotonin receptors to reduce pain and help those with anxiety and depression (8).
Takeaway
In summary, CBD can have significant healing effects when taken before, during or after exercising or doing strenuous activities. Major athletes across the United States and the rest of the world have discovered CBD as a healthy, effective, natural alternative to pain killers and prescription drugs.
With so many CBD products on the market, it can be quite tricky and confusing finding the right one for your requirements. For best results, we recommend starting with CBD oil.
