Recently, CBD has gained massive popularity in mainstream health and athletics. CBD is promising to act as a much-needed alternative medicine for athletes, mostly for recovery after workouts, pain, and inflammation management. This paper reviews how athletes use CBD-based products to recover after workouts, based on testimonials and research in sports medicine.
How CBD Aids Muscle Recovery
Recovery of muscles is the core factor that dictates both performance and injury risk during training. The muscle recovery rate from exercise-induced strain depends to a significant degree on the efficiency of exercise and is an individual variable influenced by inherent differences. Micro-trauma that occurs in muscles due to intense exercise may lead to soreness and a slow recovery rate.
As per Observer, as one of the non-psychoactive constituents of the cannabis plant, CBD may inhibit muscular discomfort. Considering its anti-inflammatory feature, CBD may hasten the recovery rate. According to a Journal of Pain Research study, CBD had significantly reduced muscular pain. “Most athletes report that they were not as fatigued and could return to training faster when they used CBD.”
CBD decreases inflammation
It is normal to feel some inflammation when an injury or overexertion has occurred, although intense amounts will prolong healing and create discomfort for a more extended time. In the past, athletes have used NSAIDs for the treatment of pain and inflammation; however, there are many negative side effects associated with long-term use of NSAIDs.
CBD affects the endocannabinoid system to decrease pain and inflammation without the side effects of prolonged NSAID use. The European Journal of Pain published findings showing that CBD reduced joint inflammation in rats, which bodes well for humans. Professional soccer players and runners apply CBD to reduce inflammation and raise well-being; it is reported to enhance their performance.
Management of Pain Post-Workout
Most athletes have had to endure chronic discomfort from straining their bodies. Opioids have been the main constituents in traditional pain therapy, though they may induce dependency and worsen. CBD alleviates post-workout soreness without causing harm. As per Observer, studies have demonstrated that CBD interferes with the processing of brain pain signals.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The Clinical Journal of Pain showed that CBD decreased pain intensity. CBD post-exercise can enable athletes to recover comfortably from their exertions so that they can focus on their next. These are enough testimonies for stories of athletes using CBD for recovery. Now, more and more professional and amateur athletes are using CBD oils, topicals, or edibles for recovery.
