How to Enhance Your Athletic Performance with CBD Oil?
As an athlete, maintaining a healthy body and mind is essential. However, many obstructions might arise due to athletes’ extensive physical activities to do so regularly. It is why there is a need for a supplement to heal such issues.
Whether you suffer from pain and aches throughout your body or even injuries, you can effectively reduce their impact on your performance. CBD is an ideal way to fight such pain, which holds you back from giving your best. Let us find out all the ways you can benefit from CBD in your athletic performance.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil comes from hemp plants and includes a substance called cannabidiol (CBD). It is a cannabinoid found in cannabis, but it is not to be confused with THC. THC is a cannabinoid that has psychoactive effects. THC is higher in marijuana plants, and hemp has almost no THC (0.3% or lesser).
So CBD is a substance that does not make its user high whatsoever. What CBD does is it enters our body and reduces pain. When CBD oil gets absorbed in the blood, it interacts with our endocannabinoid system. The system then signals the body to relax and reduces pain and inflammation.
CBD oil is one of the best ways to consume CBD since it is usually highly concentrated. If you take a few drops of the best CBD oil, you can begin to feel the results in 2-30 minutes, depending on your dose.
What Are the Benefits of CBD for Athletes?
There are many benefits of CBD that make it an appealing product to its users. However, how about the benefits of CBD keeping athletes in mind? Let us discover some benefits of CBD which make it perfect for athletes:
Pain Reduction- Reducing pain in the body is one of the most popular benefits of CBD oil. A majority of CBD users consume CBD to deal with pain. Moreover, sure enough, CBD can reduce pain in all parts of the body. Most pain-relieving medications need to reach the brain and the target area to provide relief, but not CBD.
CBD can reach the endocannabinoid system and provide faster relief. An article exploring the pain-relieving properties of CBD mentioned how the evidence supports using CBD for pain relief.
Inflammation Reduction- Just like CBD helps with pain, CBD can also help reduce inflammation. Whether it is internal inflammation due to exertion or external, CBD can reduce them all. Most athletes used NSAIDs for the same purpose.
CBD works just as well without posing any side effects or health risks to the athlete. However, it is not ideal due to multiple reasons. The regular usage of such medication might cause harmful side effects.
Anti-Catabolic Properties- Did you know that CBD helped with building muscle mass too? It is a lesser-known benefit of CBD oil but a significant one nonetheless. Catabolic hormones are present in your body, and they cut down your muscle tissues actively.
It leads to muscle loss, and all your hard work may even get wasted. But CBD reduces the production of such hormones and thus helps you maintain your desired muscle mass.
Facilitating Sleep- Since CBD has a relaxing and calming effect on its user, it can induce sleep. Even if you do not need sleep, you could use CBD oil to help you relax fully.
Also, some athletes suffer from stress and have a hard time taking their minds off such things. It is why CBD is perfect and can help them get rid of such anxiety. It can also improve sleep quality and help the body get ample rest before performing again.
Absence of Side Effects- CBD oil is not as processed as other medications used for similar purposes. Also, it does not have too many side effects. Many authors of research works appreciated the safety profile of CBD.
An author stated how CBD could aid in muscle recovery without having adverse effects on the body. So due to its perfect safety profile, it is ideal for athletes.
Is CBD Legal for Athletes?
Yes, CBD is legal for athletes to use both in and out of competitions. The USADA has a detailed guide on prohibited substances, and CBD is not on the list for now. Everyone knows how CBD is not psychoactive, so it is generally safe.
But, to be on the safe side, you should consult your state laws. While the federal laws remain liberal for CBD, the state laws may vary. You can check the laws of your state regarding CBD products and then go for it.
How to Buy and Dose CBD Oil?
Buying a perfect CBD oil is essential for athletes because CBD products do not have the FDA’s approval. So you must remember a few guidelines whenever you buy a CBD oil online or at a store:
Go for prominent brands in CBD
Go for products that are third party tested
Check the ingredients of the oil
Do not buy products with health claims
Consult your physician if you are unsure about CBD oil
As far as dosing is concerned, all you need to do is begin with smaller doses. You should start with a tiny amount and increase the quantity gradually. It will help you see how your body reacts to CBD.
Also, with CBD oil, you would need to be careful of the dosing. Since you have to regulate the amount you take, you could opt for a labeled dropper if you want. It will help you keep track of your dosing well.
Conclusion
Pain and injuries are frequent occurrences for active athletes. However, such pain and injuries might come in the way of the athlete and worsen their performance. To avoid it, many athletes swear by CBD oil.
CBD oil helps get rid of the pain and inflammation of various body parts quickly. It can also effectively increase the concentration of the user. Since CBD is not psychoactive, it is also safe and legal in most states for athletes. So CBD is the perfect supplement for any athlete who wants to boost their performance.