CBD is a substance used by many athletes to relieve muscle pain and facilitate recovery after exercise.
CBD is a molecule with multiple benefits for sportsmen and women and on top of that it is authorised by federations. In January 2018, WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, decided to authorise the use of CBD in sports competition. CBD has therefore been removed from the list of prohibited substances during or out of competition. Please note that CBD is the only authorised cannabinoid, THC is still part of the prohibited doping substances that are analysed during doping controls.
Products containing low levels of THC therefore remain strictly prohibited. Sportsmen and women who want to take advantage of the benefits of CBD should therefore choose CBD full spectrum or CBD isolate. You will find some examples of recommended and authorised products further down in the article.
The use of CBD is not only intended for the recovery of high level athletes, non-professional athletes can also use it for its many virtues.
The effects of CBD before exercise
Reduces stress
CBD has effects on the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating essential biological functions such as sleep, appetite, the pain system, mood and stress. It acts to maintain a certain balance in our body, which is called homeostasis. By dampening the intensity of neural activity, CBD intake can reduce the stress and anxiety that can occur in a sportsman or woman as they approach important deadlines. CBD can really improve all kinds of anxiety disorders, ranging from mild to moderate depression (stress, anxiety, depression, paranoia, anxiety attacks...).
Optimises mental and performances
CBD also affects concentration and helps improve performance. By interacting with dopamine—a neurotransmitter responsible for memory and concentration—CBD helps improve focus and stimulates and optimizes an athlete’s mental state before exercise. By affecting mental state, CBD also helps athletes clear their minds, better manage pain, and focus on the upcoming effort. It pushes athletes to push themselves to the limit in order to improve their performance. CBD is also highly valued in endurance sports or by athletes who train intensively in very short bursts, as it facilitates faster recovery.
Helps you fall asleep and reduces sleep disorders
Thanks to its relaxing and muscle-relaxing properties, CBD helps to regulate sleep and calm the mind for a good night's sleep. During major competitions, falling asleep can be difficult and stress can disrupt sleep. CBD helps to relieve this stress and soothes the athlete as they fall asleep. This provides a deeper and more restful sleep, because nothing beats a good night's sleep in order to excel the next day and avoid unnecessary injuries.
CBD an ally in the recovery of athletes
CBD is equally appreciated after exercise thanks to its various virtues. It plays a valuable role in the recovery after a major sporting effort. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory power, it allows a faster muscular recovery and consequently, it allows to reduce the rest time between two training sessions. CBD is also excellent for reducing cramps and soreness. Overall, it helps to relieve pain and speed up the healing process for all kinds of common sports injuries such as tendinopathies, sprains, tears, stress fractures, muscle injuries or strains, muscle soreness, etc.
Finally, CBD simply provides an energy boost to the athlete without the undesirable side effects of other stimulants, such as caffeine, which can make you nervous. It is also a natural alternative that has almost no side effects comparable to other muscle relaxants or drugs.
Not just any form of CBD for athletes
CBD is the only cannabinoid authorized by WADA in sports competition. It is therefore necessary to take care to take products that do not contain any trace of THC. CBD Broad Spectrum and other products containing a low level of THC (less than 0.2%) as often found are therefore prohibited. We advise you to go instead to CBD full spectrum or pure oils, as well as to CBD isolate. These products can be consumed in different ways, locally or by absorption. We have dedicated an entire article to the use of different CBD products, take a look at it to know their use.
Pure and full spectrum oils for athletes
There are different kinds of oils with different percentages of concentration. The higher the percentage, the stronger and more effective the product. You must therefore choose a product and its percentage of concentration according to your needs and the intensity of your pain.
The term Broad spectrum means that it is a broad spectrum oil that results from a complete extraction of the hemp plant: flowers, leaves, seeds and stems. Unlike full spectrum oils, an extra step is taken to remove the THC. This is why full spectrum oils are recommended for competitive athletes.
There are also pure CBD oils. This means that these oils have a high concentration of CBD. At Pure Extract CBD, pure CBD oils are the result of a complete extraction of the hemp plant using supercritical CO2. The CBD extract is then diluted in an organic hemp oil rich in omega-6 and 9. This oil is called "pure" because it is 99.9% CBD and therefore contains no other compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other plant materials).
The isolate
Among the products recommended for sportsmen is the isolate. This is a product that has also been isolated from all other materials and is therefore highly concentrated in CBD. Isolate is usually found in powder form or in small pieces called CBD waxes or CBD crumbles. Pure Extract CBD offers isolate in powder form and in the form of 85% CBD crumble.
CBD creams and cosmetics
Cosmetic products based on CBD combined with other elements (hemp oil, essential and natural oils) have many benefits for the body both internally and externally. In this category, the choice is wide: lotions, oils, balms, masks, bath bombs, creams, soaps, etc. But the products most used by sportsmen are CBD-based creams. Applied locally, the cream helps to relieve muscles, reduce pain caused by over-exertion and accelerate healing.
Capsules or softgels
It is also possible to consume CBD in the form of softgels. The advantage of taking CBD in softgel form is that it is 3 to 4 times more absorbable by the body than CBD oil. There are also softgels with other ingredients such as acerola, herbs, curcumin or melatonin. Softgel combined with melatoninis an excellent hormone for combating chronic and nervous fatigue, for example, and providing restful sleep.
In summary, sportsmen and women can use a cream or oil applied locally after exercise. By massaging the painful area, the CBD cream or oil can relieve muscles or muscle injuries. CBD is a great ally in reducing pain after strenuous exercise and accelerating the healing of certain injuries. By consuming it orally before exercise, athletes can prevent pain or simply enjoy the soothing and relaxing benefits of CBD.
Example of sportsmen and women who use CBD
CBD has been adopted by many sportsmen and women who have found it to be a natural solution without any side effects to improve their performance, relieve pain linked to their sporting activities and for its anti-inflammatory properties. What could be better than a natural anti-inflammatory? Here are some examples of sportsmen and women who regularly use CBD to benefit from its many advantages.
CBD is widely used by sportsmen and women who practice sports in which a lot of traumatic shocks are experienced. You will find MMA, NBA and NFL athletes using CBD products. Many top athletes also prefer the use of CBD over traditional drugs to relieve muscle pain, cramps and soreness. According to some, the use of Ibuprofen is not as effective as CBD. Ibuprofen provides temporary relief from muscle pain, but once the muscle cools down it would no longer have an effect unlike CBD.
Followers include :
- Avery Collins, ultra-trailer
- Teal Stetson-Lee, professional cyclist
- Andrew Talansky, triathlon athlete and cycling champion
- Judith Hagger, Triathlon and Ironman athlete
- George Kruis and Dominic Day, English rugby players, have even created a company together to sell CBD oil. Kruis decided to take this initiative after discovering the anti-inflammatory effects of the product following an ankle operation.
