“CBD has become an integral part of my training and post-fight regimen helping my body’s natural healing process.”
~Anthony Pettis former UFC Lightweight Champion (“Showtime”)
Hemp CBD is shown to provide a multitude of potential health benefits. Because of the way CBD safely interacts with the body, many athletes and fitness enthusiasts consider CBD an essential addition to their fitness regimen. CBD is a natural supplement with the potential to enhance your athletic performance while reducing your recovery time.
Understanding the Health and Wellness Benefits of CBD for Atheletes
To understand some of the many potential benefits of CBD for athletic performance, it may be beneficial to understand the basics of how CBD works. The answer lies in the way that CBD interacts with, and supports, the functions of your endocannabinoid system.
Your endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating nearly every essential process in your body. This system relies on a complex network of neurotransmitters that influence the receptors to keep your body in a state of homeostasis; it keeps your system balanced. As an athlete, you may appreciate the fact that your endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating:
- Muscle movement and neuroprotection
- Thermal regulation and metabolism
- Sleep cycle regulation
- Inflammation and pain perception
- Stress responses and mood regulation
- Circulatory and digestive processes
- Moods and emotions
- Functions of the endocrine system
- Immune system function
Supplementing Your Endocannabinoid System with Hemp Oil
The messengers, the neurotransmitters, of your endocannabinoid system are cannabinoids. Your body makes two cannabinoids, anandamide, and 2-AG. These cannabinoids are made as your body needs them and are quickly broken down by enzymes. Unfortunately, sometimes the production can’t keep up with the demand. The system is no longer efficient.
Your endocannabinoid system also responds to the cannabinoids found in hemp plants, a derivative of the cannabis plant species. Many people directly associate marijuana with cannabis and do not understand the difference between hemp and marijuana. Here is what you need to know.
- Marijuana – It is the THC content that differentiates hemp from marijuana. The CBD extracted from marijuana contains up to 30 percent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties marijuana is known for. Because of marijuana’s impact on the brain, it is classified as a schedule 1 drug. While the legality of marijuana varies by state, it is typically available with a doctor’s prescription.
- Hemp – Most CBD available online is sourced from hemp. The CBD extracted from hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, less than .3 percent. There is not enough THC in hemp CBD to cause intoxication. Hemp-derived CBD is available online, and ships to all 50 states. For those concerned with ingesting any THC, look for a product made with CBD isolate. A product made from CBD isolate is typically THC-free.
The cannabinoids found in the hemp and marijuana plants mimic the effects of your naturally occurring cannabinoids. The cannabinoids in hemp oil bind with the receptors of your endocannabinoid system to keep this vital communication system functioning at optimal levels.
Fighting Pain and Inflammation Without the Risk of Side Effects
“Rather than relying on potentially damaging non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Tylenol and Advil, I have been turning to CBD and seeing incredible results with no side effects.”
~Sergio Pettis – #2 UFC Flyweight Division (“The Phenom”)
The pain or discomfort you feel within the days or weeks after increasing the intensity of your workout is caused by microscopic damage to your muscles. This damage initiates a response from your immune system. Your immune system responds with inflammation and pain.
Maybe you have tried over-the-counter medications to alleviate post-workout discomfort. Maybe you rely on prescription medications to keep minor injuries from interrupting your routine. While these medications will likely ease your discomfort, they can also cause side effects. Just a few of the many potential side effects associated with over-the-counter and prescription pain medications include:
- Liver and kidney damage
- Stomach upset, indigestion, and vomiting
- Bloating, diarrhea, and constipation
- Ear ringing (tinnitus)
- Vision disturbances
- Skin rashes
- Blood thinning
- Chemical dependency
For the symptoms of overworked muscles or minor strains and sprains, many athletes rely on CBD.
Topical Products Can Provide Targeted Relief
Hemp CBD will not cloud your senses or impair your athletic performance. While many athletes prefer to use a CBD tincture to experience the potential health and wellness benefits, CBD still has a lot to offer to those who prefer a more targeted approach.
Many athletes prefer using topical CBD salves and creams so they can zero in on specific areas of their body affected by injury or overwork. When applied topically, the cannabinoids in CBD penetrate the skin to provide endocannabinoid system support. Whether applied topically or ingested, CBD is shown to inhibit the breakdown and encourage the production of anandamide. This naturally occurring neurotransmitter is the endocannabinoid linked to pain perception. The more anandamide circulating in your system, the less pain you will feel.
Beyond Inflammation and Pain Perception
Although exercise is essential for good health, it puts a good deal of stress and strain on your body. An intense workout can push your vital processes to their limits. Under the stress and strain of exercise, your body may need more cannabinoids than it can produce on its own. Supplementing your fitness regimen with CBD can restore balance to the endocannabinoid system and keep vital processes functioning efficiently. Consider the following potential benefits:
-
Improving Sleep Quality
Your body needs rest to gain the full effects of working out. Soon after you fall asleep, your body begins to produce growth hormones, a complex protein that supports your metabolic functions. CBD has the potential to improve sleep quality by easing sore muscles, stabilizing circadian rhythms, and improving your capacity for REM sleep.
-
Promoting Healing Processes
There is more to fitness recovery than reducing inflammation and minimizing discomfort. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains hundreds of potentially beneficial vitamin, minerals and plant terpenes that have the potential to facilitate health and healing. CBD is high in vitamin A, C, and E as well as all 20 essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
-
Reducing Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms typically occur after an intense workout or during activities that test your endurance. While some studies indicate that fluids and electrolyte supplements can alleviate or prevent cramps, other studies find little correlation. CBD has the potential to demonstrate antispasmodic properties.
Your endocannabinoid system regulates nearly every critical system in your body, from your circulatory system to your moods and emotions. While physical fitness has a distinctly positive effect on your health, vigorous exercise can disrupt the balance of your endocannabinoid system. Supplementing your endocannabinoid system could enhance your athletic performance and minimize your recovery time.
Quality Products at Fair Prices
As more people learn of the potential benefits of CBD products, more professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts are turning to CBD products to help them reach their fitness goals. To experience the potential gains for yourself, visit CBDistillery. We offer a quality selection of fairly priced CBD products. You will find a quality selection of full-spectrum and THC-free supplements including CBD tinctures, softgels, and topical products. CBDistillery products are third-party tested to ensure the purity and potency of every product we offer.
The post CBD: The Many Potential Benefits for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts appeared first on #CBDMOVEMENT™ BLOG.