How Using CBD Can Improve Your Athletic Performance
Current and former professional athletes use cannabidiol (CBD) to enhance their athletic performance during training and official matches. However, many confuse this natural chemical compound with synthetic performance enhancers. CBD works by assisting the body to use its natural healing functions.
Unlike other drugs, CBD doesn’t create euphoria, intoxication, or any altered state of mind or consciousness. In short, you don’t get high with CBD. However, CBD does lessen pain, anxiety, stress, inflammation, and lowers blood pressure.
Is CBD Use Legal?
At this point, you might be wondering, “Is CBD legal for athletes?” The answer to that question is, “It depends.” CBD is legal in many states in the USA and in many countries around the world. In other places, CBD is not legal.
The legality of CBD depends on different contexts. For example, a city may permit the use of CBD for athletic training exercises but the governing body of an official athletic competition might disapprove of the use of this compound is also naturally produced by the human body .
For instance, because CBD comes from the same source as marijuana, the psychoactive plant known as Cannabis sativa, a government agency may restrict the use of CBD.
Still, you might find it interesting why many are using CBD and why more places are legalizing CBD use. If you want to know more about using CBD for your athletic and fitness regimen, here are three ways this naturally occurring compound can improve your training performance.
1. Relieves Inflammation
Arthritis, chronic muscle pain, and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) – these ailments, among the many health concerns caused by inflammation in your body. Many athletes use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen to reduce physical discomfort during exercises and official matches.
Although known to be safe in various scenarios, taking NSAIDs for extended periods can increase your risk of kidney or renal disease. Because of this danger, many prefer to use natural solutions for inflammation such as CBD oil.
CBD oil for athletes has anti-inflammatory effects that can help relieve different types of pain . CBD oil is an organic substance that can help reduce the intensity of swelling, pain or discomfort due to headaches, migraines, chronic muscle spasms, and other health issues.
2. Helps Reduce Stress
Athletes aren’t immune to stress. In fact, competitive behaviors and situations can add pressure to the bodies and minds of athletes, even up to the point where it becomes detrimental to their athletic performance.
When you experience a significant amount of stress, you tend to lose focus. Concentration is a vital element in many athletic events and training sessions. Without focus, you might lose your competitive edge, your confidence, your chance of winning. Also, lack of concentration can
inhibit you from exercising proper forms such as during swimming and running competitions.
CBD can help reduce the stress felt by fitness-focused individuals. This natural solution can help calm the mind and create focus while you're training or competing, thereby allowing you to push yourself to new limits.
3. Improves Sleep
Some people might think that athletes live to improve their physiological states. Others might assume that athletes continue to train even while they sleep.
While that is an urban legend, the truth is that rest is an integral component of training. Without proper rest, the body can’t provide enough energy to bulk out or to strengthen muscles. Furthermore, lack of sleep can lead to unwanted stress that can, in turn, lead to loss of concentration.
At the same time, excessive training won’t repair torn muscle tissue in time. Overtraining can lead to severe injuries that can inhibit athletes from performing basic ranges of motion such as in standing, walking, or moving their arms. Proper rest will allow the body to heal and repair bone and muscle tissue.
However, there are many situations that can hinder you from getting a good amount of sleep.
Athletes looking to enjoy much-needed sleep may use CBD for help. CBD-infused products such as tinctures and topicals can help improve sleep.
The organic CBD compound can help calm your body and mind when you’re about to sleep. CBD can also help ease your muscles thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. By applying CBD oil on your temples , for instance, you can have peace of mind, knowing that you won’t get sudden jolts of pain while you’re resting.
4. Safe for Athletes
CBD consumption can be safe for athletes and other individuals. However, to be safe, it’s always best to consult your doctor before consuming any CBD-infused product.
For example, CBD has properties that can lower blood pressure. These properties are ideal for people with high blood pressure. However, you should not use CBD if you have low blood pressure. For instance, adverse drug interactions with CBD can happen if you’re taking medications for lowering blood pressure. As a result, your blood pressure levels might go below normal levels.
To reiterate, CBD can help improve your athletic performance. This organic compound can help relieve stress, induce sleep, and relieve pain in athletes. To be safe, consult a licensed health professional before using CBD. Make sure to consume CBD with the right dosage to avoid any negative side effects.
