Athletes are constantly trying to improve their performance. The question always is, what is the best way to do that? There are many options out there to choose from. One that has been gaining in popularity is cannabidiol (CBD).
But what is CBD, what does it do, and how should it be used?
Talking CBD
CBD is a chemical compound known as cannabinoid. These are compounds that are found in Cannabis plants like marijuana and hemp. There are over 113 different cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. CBD definitely is more well-known than many of the other cannabinoids. However, there is one that is even more famous, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is more renowned because of the way that it effects people. It is psychoactive. That means that it creates the high that is associated with Cannabis use. CBD is rather different than THC. It is not psychoactive, meaning it does not create any high.
CBD is found in all Cannabis plants, but most manufacturers derive the CBD from hemp rather than marijuana. This is because hemp has a low concentration of THC, but a high concentration of CBD, making the extraction process much easier. It is also because industrial hemp is legal in the United States, while marijuana still is not.
Not all forms of CBD are the same. In fact, there are three different forms of CBD that you can find. They are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. The difference between them is what other cannabinoids and compounds are in the extract beyond the CBD. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum have the most other compounds. Full-spectrum has everything in it, including THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids. However, the THC in full-spectrum is so low that it is not likely to have much, if any, noticeable effects. Broad-spectrum is similar to full-spectrum, but it does not have any THC. CBD isolate is just CBD. There are no other compounds or cannabinoids found in CBD isolate.
One of the most important things to know about CBD is what it may be able to do for you. So, let’s talk about that.
CBD for athletes
There is much research currently being done on CBD. Researchers have found a number of different interesting things about the cannabinoid. The real question is, how could it help athletes with their performance? Well, there are a number of different ways. The two main ones are that CBD may be able to help reduce inflammation and that it can help athletes achieve a sense of calm.
Many athletes struggle with issues caused by inflammation due to micro-muscle tears that occur with strenuous exercise. The inflammation may cause soreness and make normal movement more difficult. There have been a number of studies done on CBD and inflammation. For example, this study found that CBD helped lessen inflammation caused by oxidative stress. This is good news for athletes who struggle with inflammation. These studies suggest that CBD may be able to help make movement easier.
Another form of inflammation is the natural kind which slows down recovery time. When someone works out, they tear down muscle fibers which are able to rebulid stronger than they were before. Many post-workout supplements include elements aimed at decreasing the inflammation surrounding that broken muscle tissue to aid with recovery.
Another potential benefit for athletes that CBD provides, is that it may be able to help with creating a sense of calm. Jitters can be a common issue that athletes deal with. There have been multiple studies that have looked at CBD’s calming properties. This study, for example, found that CBD was able to help calm down people who were about to engage in public speaking. If you feel nervous before a big game, performance or race, CBD may be able to help you relax and focus on what you need to do.
These are only a couple of examples of what CBD may be able to do for athletes. The best way to find out what CBD may be able to do for you is to try it yourself. However, you have a lot of options when it comes to CBD products. If you’d like to know more about athletes in specific sports, check out this article about CBD for Yoga.
Best CBD products
CBD is a very versatile extract. It is easily put into a number of different products. You can find CBD in edibles, tinctures, capsules, and topicals. This versatility makes it easy to find the right product for you. So, let’s go over the details of your options.
CBD edibles are one of the most popular products out there. These come in many different forms including gummies, sweets (brownies and cookies), snack food (popcorn and crackers), and drinks. Many people prefer these because they are easy to take and the dosage is easy to control. The one downside is that they may take a little while to start working. This is because the CBD needs to enter the body through the digestion system.
Tinctures and oils are a more traditional way to use CBD. They are taken either by mixing some drops in with food or drink or more directly, by placing a few drops under the tongue. They enter the bloodstream more quickly in sublingual way. If you are concerned about the flavor, do not worry. Most oils and tinctures have flavoring in them. This makes them much more palatable.
Capsules and tablets are another good way to take CBD. These can either be gel capsules or tablets that melt under your tongue. The benefit of these is that they work more quickly than most edibles. They are also easy to include into your daily routine.
CBD is also available as topicals. They are things like lotions and skin cremes. The appeal of these is that they are localized. They work primarily in the area that they are used. This makes them ideal for things like skin health and inflammation. These also often come with pleasant scents, which is another appeal for many people.
It is a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before you start taking CBD. While the side effects associated with the cannabinoid are minimal and not dangerous, it may not mix well with other medications.
There are a lot of ways to improve your game. If inflammation and/or nerves leaves your athletic performance lacking. You may want to consider trying CBD. It may be able to help reduce inflammation or calm shaken nerves.
