What is CBD? Is it Safe for Athletes to Consume CBD?

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Athletes put a lot of stress on themselves whether physically or mentally. Long hours of training and the prolonged wear and tear of exercise routine can take a huge toll on the human body leading to injuries and pain. CBD is a great solution.
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most talked-about supplement trends in the sports and fitness world. CBD itself has been the talk of the town in many countries as it offers many potential health benefits. Due to the popularity, manufacturers have to provide their consumers with a variety of ways to consume CBD. Some of them would include oils, creams, tinctures, and even edibles such as gummies and coffee-infused CBD. People across the world have been opting for natural remedies to help them deal with life. Want to know about CBD? the cannabis category on Leaf Nation will help understand more about its benefits.
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Without a doubt, athletes have considered and used CBD during their training and so much more. Athletes put a lot of stress on themselves whether physically or mentally which has positive and negatives effects. Long hours of training and the prolonged wear and tear of exercise routine can take a huge toll on the human body leading to injuries and pain. Using pain relievers such as NSAIDs like naproxen sodium and ibuprofen can pose greater health on individuals which can affect their performance. If you are an athlete and considering using CBD to help you with your health ailments and boost your performance, read on to know more.
What is CBD?
CBD is extracted from the versatile plant known as Cannabis Sativa Plant that has over 80 different cannabinoids naturally occurring in them. The two most active and widely used components are CBD and THC. THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component present in marijuana that gives you the feeling of being high, Whereas CBD does not contain any psychoactive properties, that’s why it’s a growing phenomenon in the sports industry. CBD has shown its effectiveness in dealing with many health ailments such as pain relief, reduce blood pressure, combat insomnia, and even deal with chronic injuries. Even golf and NFL athletes are turning to CBD oil to take their game to the next level.
Is it legal?
Before we go ahead, most of you may wonder how can CBD be legal since it is extracted from marijuana that is known for getting people high. Now it is important to note that even though CBD is extracted from the Cannabis plant, pure CBD does not contain any psychoactive properties like THC. And in order for you to stay within the law, which are set by the sports regulators your CBD oil must contain less than 0.2% THC. The only way you can enjoy the benefits of CBD within the laws of your game is by using CBD isolate that is absolutely pure cannabidiol.
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4 CBD Benefits for Athletes
- Pain Relief
Athletes are known to put a lot of stress on their bodies to enhance their performance. Pain and muscle soreness very common amongst people who work out on a professional level or even as a recreational activity. It can get in the way of your performance and have a negative impact. CBD has been known to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and also reduce muscle cramps which is very common among athletes. There are a number of ways you can use CBD products as an athlete for pain relief such as oils, creams, and even balms.
- Stress Management
If you play professionally or compete at a high level, athletes often succumb to stress and anxiety. If you are close to a match day, stress can affect your mood, performance, sleep, and even concentration. CBD helps in producing anti-stress hormones in your brain which keeps you calm and relaxed which has a positive impact on your performance. CBD products such as infused coffee or tea work best in stress management and limit the stress response in your body.
- Improved Sleep Quality
One of the most important elements for athletes to remain at their top form is having a good sleep. Well, if you are in search of a remedy that can improve your sleep quality, CBD can be an excellent option for you. Once you consume CBD, it creates a mellowed and calming effects that give you a restful night’s sleep. Good sleep can help you achieve greater training heights and improve your performance. CBD inhibits adenosine which slows down your brain activity which makes you calmer and induces sleep.
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- Reduce Nausea and GI
Continuous strenuous activity can cause an unsettled gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It is very common among athletes who engage with long hours of training can lead to nausea. Existing medications can lead to long-term side effects that can do more harm than any good. CBD is a great alternative to reduce nausea and even reduce any GI damage. GI stress is generally caused due to impaired nutritional uptake and excessive vomiting. CBD can reduce the tissue damage caused due to the GI uptake and also restore your intestine function to its proper capacity.
In the past few years, CBD has been gaining popularity for the many potential benefits it has to offer. Not just athletes but people across the globe have been turning to natural remedies or solutions. As you can see, CBD can be extremely beneficial to athletes and will continue to grow as researchers will discover many other effects of this substance.