Blog

CBD for Athletes: An Active Life

CBD is growing increasingly popular for all sorts of ailments and conditions. CBD is used by adults of all ages and can be helpful for a wide variety of issues. CBD is non-intoxicating and does not produce any psychoactive effects, making it a safe and effective alternative to other medications or treatments.

CBD has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of medical conditions, including anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, seizures, and more. A piece of growing scientific evidence suggests that CBD may also be helpful in supporting conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, autism, cancer, Crohn’s disease, and more.

Overall, plenty of people can benefit from using CBD — including athletes. If you are an active individual interested in the best CBD gummies for athletes, a good CBD cream for sports, or another type of CBD product, read on to learn a little more about what CBD is and how it can help you.

 

CBD Background

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its more famous cousin, THC, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. Instead, it has been shown to offer various potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and improving anxiety and sleep. Studies have also shown that CBD can improve exercise performance by reducing fatigue and muscle soreness.

CBD products are becoming increasingly popular among athletes and sportspeople. This is because CBD (cannabidiol) is known to have many potential health benefits, as mentioned above. 

CBD is available in a variety of forms, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and edibles. It can be taken orally or applied topically to the skin. Some people even use it to make their own homemade topical creams and salves.

One of the most popular ways to take CBD is in the form of gummies. CBD gummies are easy to take and can be discreetly carried with you wherever you go. They’re also a great option for athletes who may not want to smoke or vape CBD products. 

CBD cream is another popular option for athletes and sportspeople. CBD cream can be applied directly to the skin, providing targeted relief to muscles and joints. It’s a great option for those looking for fast-acting relief from pain or inflammation. 

 

How Can CBD Help Athletes?

CBD can help athletes and those who live active lives in several ways. First, it is helpful to consider its physical effects.

CBD is a popular choice for athletes because it may offer a natural way to support recovery from exercise-induced inflammation. CBD is also known for its Anti-Catabolic properties, which means that it can help reduce the breakdown of muscles after exercise. This is important because when muscles break down, they release enzymes that can damage cells and lead to inflammation.

So, if you are an athlete looking for a natural way to support your recovery, CBD may be a good option. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are taking any medications.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

CBD is well known to have anti-inflammatory properties. For obvious reasons, this can be highly beneficial to individuals who lead an active lifestyle.

Sprains, strains, bruises, and other injuries are extremely common in sports and lead to various forms of inflammation. CBD can be an effective way to reduce inflammation in a non-toxic way. After all, CBD is considered very safe (at least for adults) and — if good quality — may be more “natural” than other methods of treating inflammation. At the very least, it can be a good complement to the standard practice of icing and resting injuries.

Anti-Catabolic Properties

CBD has shown to be effective in reducing the breakdown of muscles after exercise, making it a valuable tool for athletes. By helping to reduce muscle breakdown, CBD can help athletes recover from strenuous workouts more quickly and effectively. In addition, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with exercise. This can help athletes to stay active and perform at their best. CBD is a safe and effective way for athletes to improve their recovery and performance.

Pain Relief Effects

In addition to reducing inflammation, there is also compelling evidence that CBD can be used for pain relief. This can also be extremely helpful to athletes and those living an active life where injuries are common — CBD can both help certain injuries heal more quickly, and lessen the pain impact while they heal.

CBD also comes in a number of forms that make it uniquely helpful for pain relief and for treating inflammation. CBD can be taken orally, applied topically, inhaled (by smoking or through a vaporizer), and potentially taken in other forms. Rubbing CBD sports cream on a swollen or painful site, for instance, could be a helpful treatment for an injury. But if you prefer to eat something, finding the best CBD gummies for athletes may be the better choice for you.

Psychological Uses

Being a hardcore athlete can also often be stressful. If you play a sport competitively, the psychological toll can sometimes be serious and potentially debilitating. CBD may be able to help with this as well. CBD may be an effective treatment for anxiety, as well as for other conditions. For the over-stressed athlete, this can be extremely helpful!

 

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

It is important to recognize that despite its widespread acceptance, and considerable anecdotal support for its use, research on CBD is still fairly limited. There are definitely some effective studies that have been done to demonstrate its benefits, but compared to many other substances and medications on the market, it is not as well understood.

In this spirit, you should recognize that for some individuals, CBD can have side effects that make it less pleasant to take. Its side effects may include a poor appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, dry mouth, and potentially others. 

A major factor in CBD’s efficacy — and its degree of side effects — is its lack of regulation. Because CBD is not stringently regulated, it can sometimes be difficult to know if you are buying from a good company, or how “pure” the CBD you are buying actually is. To be as safe as possible, only buy from reputable companies, and be sure to ask any salespeople or industry professionals for their recommendations.

 

FAQs About CBD For Athletes

Read on for some common questions and answers about athletes taking CBD.

Is CBD Legal in Sports?

CBD is generally legal in sports. However, because it sometimes operates in a complex legal space, it is a good idea to check with any league about whether CBD is allowed or prohibited.

Should I Discuss CBD Use With My Doctor?

Yes, it is always a good idea to discuss using CBD with your doctor — particularly if you are trying to treat a particular condition, whether physical or psychological.

What Is the Best Way To Take CBD?

There really is no best way to take CBD, though different uses have different benefits. For instance, CBD cream for sports can be great, as you can apply it directly to injuries (which may provide some pain relief and inflammation reduction). But if you prefer to try CBD gummies for athletes, those can also be a great choice. There are many ways to ingest CBD!

Will I Get Addicted To CBD?

No, CBD is generally considered non-addictive. However, it is always a good idea to speak to your doctor before taking a new substance — particularly if you are taking a substantial dosage.

 

Buy Healthy Products For Athletes Today

Healthy Living & Cafe offers a wide variety of organic foods and drinks, in addition to a diverse selection of other healthy products.

For more information, visit us online or stop in at one of our stores!

Written in partnership with Upstate Elevator.