If you are an athlete, or even exercise regularly for wellness, you know that sometimes a good workout can leave you feeling wrecked. You also may have heard about the latest trend among the fitness crowd – cannabidiol or CBD. As with many fads, it makes sense to be a little skeptical but there is a growing amount of research that shows that CBD can aid in workout recovery.
First things first – the reason CBD works is because it interacts with the endocannabinoid system in your body. The ECS is a signaling network of neurotransmitters and receptors that help regulate things like inflammation, pain perception, stress response and metabolism, to name a few. Researchers are still learning about the mysteries of the ECS and with every study they seem to uncover another way its essential to our bodies functioning properly.
The only thing outpacing the research is the number of CBD products that are hitting the market. This can make it really confusing in overwhelming if you want to try it for workout recovery so here are some tips:
Taking CBD before your workout may promote muscle growth. A couple of studies reported that CBD inhibits the creation of cortisol which is also called the stress hormone and is known to stunt tissue growth. There is still a lot of research to be done on this but you could try taking CBD in a capsule form to see if it works for you.
Using it during your workout may enhance the mental benefits of working out. Have you heard of a “runner’s high” or have you experienced the calming effect of yoga? There is a body of research that has linked those feelings to the ECS. Now, to be clear CBD doesn’t get you high in the way that THC does. Studies have shown that it increases the production of anandamide, a chemical that helps to regulate mood. Some take a dose of a CBD tincture under the tongue before a workout.
Rub some CBD on your sore muscles to ease the pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD have also been studied and shows much potential.
One caveat – if you’re ready to run out and buy CBD products, make sure you are doing it from a trusted source. A recent study that tested CBD levels in products bought online found that many of them did not have the amount of CBD advertised on the label. This is why we have strict standards on what we offer our customers; take a look at our catalog to find a test CBD product that is exactly what it says it is.
