The benefits of CBD include its all-natural healing and restorative properties. It is no surprise, then, that cbd for athletes is becoming one of the most popular uses. From reducing recovery time to post-workout inflammation, CBD oil is a phenomenal natural supplement.
Read our Recommended List of Top CBD Providers
It is known athletes expose their bodies to a lot of stresses, which has either, positive or negative impact depending on the type of stress. The positive effects of training stress make the body adapt as well as increases the performances. The adverse effects of the training stress, on the other hand, include trauma, injuries due to wear and tear of the muscles, and the pain. Therefore, for an athlete to increase performance and adapt to training stress, pain management is necessary during the training process.
Henceforth, there are several methods of maintaining pain and reducing inflammation. However, some of the ways are risky as they can cause death. Before athletes choose suitable pain management methods must consider the safer ways which can aid him/her improve the sports recovery.
Many athletes are keenly gathering information concerning the Cannabidiol (CBD) in pain management. Initially, most of the athletes depended on the counter pain relievers such as NSAIDs drugs, for example, Ibuprofen and Naproxen sodium, while others depended on Opioids drugs. In the sports documentaries, it shows that in the year 2006, most of the athletes died to the use of these counter drugs such as Opioids. The science of CBD is becoming well-established at this point and the benefits for athletes are big.
Other athletes got addicted to these drugs, and therefore, the training performance reduces. Generally, there is no case reported concerning the negative impact on athletes who uses the CBD drug. At the end of this article, the article will help you athletes and answer all questions in your mind. The the report will discuss the following.
Table of Contents
Is CBD Legal for Athletes?
Is CBD Legal for athletes? This is the question in athletes’ minds, of which the World Anti-Doping Agency agreed in unison to remove CBD from the list of prohibited substances. Therefore, CBD is non- psychoactive substance is legal, can be used by athletes either in competition or out of the game. However, it should be noted that psychoactive substances such as Marijuana and the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Generally, all-natural and synthetic Cannabinoids are not permitted except Cannabidiol. In this regard, the World Anti-Doping Agency has set a urinary threshold of 150 monograms per milliliter of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Therefore they are at risk of being bunned when the limit goes beyond the set one. The essence World Anti-Doping Agency of setting a higher threshold in the case of athletes using the THC even when outside of competition. Also, the higher limit ensures that the in-competition use of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is detected, and this ensures it is not used days and weeks before the competition.
CBD Basics
For a full primer, check out our Beginner’s Guide to CBD…but we’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes version here: Naturally, cannabinoids exist in the human body, and therefore athletes legally allowed to consume the CBD product. It is scientifically proven that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates the activity of the neurons in the human body. Cannabidiol is also found naturally in cannabis plants.
Cannabis contains the product, namely, Cannabinoids (CBD) and then Tetracannabinoids (THC). CBD is psychoactive, while the THC is not psychoactive. Notably, the study of based on the recent reviews 2018’s “the essentials of pain medicine Fourth Ed” suggests that the nervous system has two endocannabinoids, which are 2-AG and EAE. The endocannabinoids are found in the postsynaptic neuron. Later they released to the gap between neurons called the synapse. The two chemicals, the 2-AG and EAE then binds with the Cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1 receptors) and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 receptors), these cannabinoid receptors are found in the presynaptic neuron.
The combination of the endocannabinoids and Cannabinoid receptors inhibit the release of certain neurotransmitters. For instance, glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, when frustrated by Cannabinoids, plays a significant role in preventing or treating epilepsy conditions. Cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1 receptors) are found in the Central nerve system (CNS); this is entirely the brain. It is also found in the peripheral Nerve system, this mainly the spinal cord. Finally, Cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1 receptors) are found in the immune system tissues. Additionally, the Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 receptors) is entirely located in the immune system tissues. When Cannabinoids CBD binds with the Cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1 receptors) have a significant impact on the Central nervous system. When it binds with the Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 receptors), inflammation is inhibited.
The primary role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is to maintain a constant internal environment- the Homeostasis. Therefore, the consumption of the CBD acts as a supplement to the endocannabinoid system by boosting its activity in the body. Therefore, they can be of great importance to the athletes as they expose their bodies to extreme stresses. This stress can lead to pain and inflammation. Importantly, when athletes consume CBD, their endocannabinoid system is boosted to handle the pressures. Hence, the CBD helps in controlling and maintaining the Homeostasis by helping the overloaded system get back the neurotransmitters.
The Benefits of CBD for Athletes
Relieve Pain
Cannabis has been known to relieve pain long ago as 2900 BC. Studies have shown that Marijuana contains two chemicals, namely, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) AND Cannabidiol (CBD), which is responsible for reducing pain. In the human body, there is a specialized system that regulates anxiety, sleep, and appetite.the system is referred to as an endocannabinoid system. After strenuous exercise, athletes experience musculoskeletal pain or stiff joint pain. It is well known that when the body tissue is damaged, it releases a chemical known as prostaglandins. The endocannabinoid system possesses nerve cells that are very sensitive to this chemical, and as a result, it is transmitted to the brain for interpretation. In this case, the study of the CBD chemical shows it inhibits the release of the prostaglandins by the damaged cell; thereby, the pain message does not reach the brain. This means the interpretation of the pain message will not take, and hence the pain from athletes goes away. Though since 2008, when CBD was legalized, researches are ongoing to provide substantial evidence concerning how effective the drug is. Importantly, it appears to have a positive impact on relieving pain to many athletes.
CBD Reduces Inflammation
Though little inflammation makes athletes adapt to positive training. Too much inflammation can be detrimental to athletes as it hinders quick recovery hence declining the performance during the training. There are alot of all natural remedies for inflammation but CBD is one of the best. For example, CBD for fibromyalgia has become an increasingly popular treatment. CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid receptors, mainly the Cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1 receptors) and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 receptors). CB2 receptors are more concentrated in the peripheral nervous system and the immune system, whereas CB1 receptors are more concentrated on the central Nerve system -the brain and immune system. In other words, the CBD binds with the endocannabinoid receptors, mainly the CB2 receptor hence inhibiting the production of the cytokine, thus reducing inflammations of body cells. CBD act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, the CBD is known to speed up the healing when the muscles and joints inflammation as a result of strenuous exercise.
CBD Improves Sleep
Sleep is important. Really important. Eating right, finding the best mattress and reducing caffeine are great steps to take towards improving your sleep…but CBD is another one. It’s well established that CBD for reducing anxiety is highly effective…buy it’s properties for promoting higher quality sleep are equally as robust. Quality For the health purpose of the athletes, the quality of sleep must be considered. Getting more and better sleep enhances more excellent performance in the training activity. Reportedly, athletes who consume Cannabidiol are known to experience ease sleeping and exhibit a restful night’s sleep. CBD inhibits the reuptake of the adenosine. Carbohydrate In the brain breaks down the presence of adenosine triphosphate releasing energy. At the same time, the adenosine accumulates in the brain. The accumulated adenosine binds with neurons hence preventing the release of neurotransmitters; this slows down the brain activities, thereby inducing the sleep. There are several ways that can cause insomnia to athletes, such as pain, anxiety, and even stress. CBD helps in reducing such pain and stress, helping the athletes sleep better and have a quality sleep.
CBD for Improved Digestion
The gut distress is one problem endured by athletes, and something discomfort persists, making the drop out of the race. A lot of unease regarding the alimentary canal is as a result of the small and large intestine inflammation. Though the CBD does not prevent the stomach from overheating and dehydration, it mainly reduces inflammation of any tissue along the alimentary canal. CBD has an anti-inflammatory property; therefore, CBD reduces inflammatory issues of the gut either during or after the training or the race.
CBD as an Alternate to Opioids
In the year 2006, a lot of athletes died as a result of taking opioid drugs. Opioids drugs such as morphine and codeine are considered as the most effective in reducing pain. The limitation of these drugs is that it can lead to addiction when used for a long time; additionally, when taken in overdose can leads to death. Despite cannabinoids being less effective in acute pain management, it is appropriate in long-term pain management. CBD possesses fewer risks of addiction and accidental death; hence it is preferable for use by athletes.
CDB as an Alternative to NSAIDs
NSAIDs stand for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples of NSAIDs drugs include ibuprofen, naproxen. These drugs are bought over the counter and were highly consumed By most of the athletes. Long-distance athletes are strongly advised to avoid the use of NSAIDs, especially during the long training sessions, as it increases the risk of renal damage. Additionally, frequent use of NSAIDs drugs either in the short or long term increases the risk of heart attack and stroke among the athletes. The use of CBD has little side effects, and athletes depend on this drug to when conducting the pain-related exercise. Like NSAIDs, a CBD drug helps reduce pain and also minimizes the issues of tissue inflammation. Contrary to NSAIDs, there is no documented death as a result of using CBD based products.
How to use CBD products
CBD products are available in the market to inform of capsules, pills, or oil. CBDs can be consumed through inhalation of vapor. Also, the CBD drugs can be taken by infusing it to the drinks such as sports drinks and recovery drinks, others placed under the tongue in the form of drops. CBD can be used at any time of the day, be it in the morning or evening. Generally, the CBD can be consumed in all edible manners. Some tropical creams contain CBD oil, and they’re consumed wholly. The effects of the CBD drugs vary depending on how to consume the drug. For instance, capsules, oil, and edible CBD have to be digested first. Therefore, the effect may take a little bit a long time before the impact is experienced. Additionally, the creams and sublingual drops are faster as compared to the edible CBD products. The sublingual drops have the most rapid effect as compared to the CBD inhalation.
The drop and inhalation methods are faster because they are absorbed directly into the blood and take to the target organs; this drug does not undergo digestion. CBD drug is available in two forms; this includes the full spectrum and isolated spectrum. The full spectrum contains CBD and another compound, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC). The content of the THC of the full spectrum should not exceed 3% and also should be extracted from the natural plant. On the other hand, the isolated spectrum CBD contains only CBD products. The anti-doping panel encourages that the full CBD and its products be extracted entirely from the hemp plants.
How much to use CBD
Athletes are different in terms of weight, metabolism, and therefore it is recommended to start with just a small dose and increase gradually with time. There is no specified dose the derivers’ equal effect to all people; therefore, gaging the amount dose right for a person may be hard to know. Generally, the CBD and its products are poorly regulated, and thus, the amount of CBD is not indicated. Importantly, consumption of the CBD and its products is dependent on the estimate in terms of a milliliter or a number of drops one ought to consume.
Conclusion
The emergence of the Cannabidiol drugs in our current market can be seen as a great achievement in the World of athletes. Cannabidiol is only natural and synthetic Cannabinoids in which the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has legalized for use by the athletes. CBD is naturally found in the body of human beings and is responsible for reducing pain and inflammation, especially to the athletes during their strenuous training activities. Importantly, Researches concerning how CBD works and how much the athletes should utilize it is still ongoing. This is a caveat as the drug was introduced to the market ahead of scientific researches.
Besides, the CBD can be consumed through various methods such as inhalation, infused to the recovery drink, tinctures, or drop method and can be taken together with any edible cookies. Importantly, the CBD is used by athletes for various purposes; firstly, CBD is used to relieve pain. Also, the CBD is used to reduce inflammation of the tissues. Furthermore, CBD is vital in enhancing restful sleep. Importantly, the CBD reduces the usage of the risky over the counter drugs such as Opioids non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The CBD is poorly regulated, and hence it is hard to determine the exact amount and individual can consume though it is advisable to start with a small amount and increase slowly as one experiencing the impacts. Lastly, CBD possesses more advantages, and it is less risky, hence it safe for consumption.
Consider reading our: Absolute Nature CBD Review
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