There is one thing in common between professional athletes and those how to do sports recreationally. We want to perform better and recover quicker.

There is a never-ending story, where athletes look for the Saint Graal of performance-enhancing substances that still conform to anti-doping laws. Not even mention, it is a huge extra if that substance is natural and safe.

That’s where magical CBD comes into the picture once again. CBD can be the answer to numerous health issues, due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties. Both recreational and professional athletes claim that CBD helps them recover faster from injures, sleep better, reduce muscle pain and soreness.

What is CBD?

CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of the main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC it doesn’t have psychoactive properties. CBD has been at the center of attention for a couple of years now and many kinds of research seem to prove that has positive health benefits on the human body. 

The legality of CBD

For many years CBD (since it was coming from the cannabis plant) was a Schedule 1 substance and its use in sports and medicine was illegal. After the 2018 Farm Bill hemp-derived CBD was removed from the list of illegal substances and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) did the same thing and removed CBD from its Prohibited in Competition substance list.

This means regularly tested athletes don’t have to worry about CBD showing in their dug test. However, only CBD was removed from this list and not other cannabinoids. This can cause some issues and misunderstanding, so let’s see how can only CBD be utilized in sports performance.

So the legality of CBD varies by state and country, but the main rule is that only CBD products with 0.3% THC content are legal. The cannabis plant has two main types that we need to mention. The hemp plant and marijuana. Marijuana usually rich in THC and low on CBD and used for recreational and medicinal purposes. Hemp is the industrial crop of the Cannabis Plant and it is used in different industries to create textile, alternative fuel sources, and also to produce high content CBD products. Hemp is naturally low on THC, so only hemp-derived CBD products are legal on a federal level.

 

Note: Even hemp-derived CBD products can contain traces of THC that can show up on a drug test. We separate 3 kinds of CBD products: Broad-spectrum CBD, Full Spectrum CBD, and Isolates.

 

Full or Broad Spectrum CBD: These kinds of products contains all the goodies from the hemp plant, naturally occurring compounds like other cannabinoids and terpenes. CBD products with a full or broad-spectrum may have a heightened effect because all these compounds working together can deliver the entourage effect.

CBD Isolates: CBD isolate is a pure CBD crystal that contains no other compounds of the plant, no terpenes, no other cannabinoids.

Professional athletes can benefit from CBD isolates because of the reason we mentioned above. If you are someone who trains for recreational reasons, and to just stay in good shape and never have to attend a drug test you might hugely benefit from other CBD products than isolates.

How can CBD affect performance and recovery? 

However, clinical studies yet to be done on performing athletes, preclinical trials are showing promising results. Scientists found that CBD can have a major role in reducing inflammation and pain, supporting bone health, and managing sports performance anxiety. Athletes’ bodies often have to endure extreme physical and mental stress.

CBD may reduce inflammatory pain associated with tissue damage, which often affects endurance athletes. Repetitive, long-distance workouts can induce inflammation. CBD with its anti-inflammatory properties can help with prevention and make recovery faster and more successful.

Healthy bones are essential for athletes, and that health can be compromised by injuries. Studies have shown that CBD also can support healthy bone deposition and help heal fractures, by boosting the body’s endocannabinoid-system to reach homeostasis again.

Performance anxiety is a common thing around athletes. Competitions can put a lot of pressure on a person and that can cause energy loss, trouble sleeping. Stress also throws off the body’s homeostasis, which can lead to other issues that will affect performance. It is believed, that CBD may be effective in easing anxiety.

What is the best form of CBD for athletes? 

CBD comes in many different form and shape, that makes it easy to include it in your daily diet. About the dosage and whether you should build CBD into your daily routine or utilize it only around certain times consult with a specialist.

Vaporizing: Vaporizing CBD can be an efficient form of consuming it. The bioavailability rate is high and vapor should be free from harmful chemicals and carcinogens that could affect the respiratory system.

Edibles: Edibles, vitamins, capsules always an easy way to get your required dosage. If you want something haste fee or even delicious try some energy bars infused with CBD or just chew on a few gummies.

Tinctures: CBD tinctures also can be an efficient way to consume a high amount of CBD internally, a few drops under the tongue can deliver the result you might need

Balm: Athletes use CBD internally to treat inflammation, but ointments also can be a part of the recovery routine. CBD infused balms are great for treating sore muscles and bruises or just help you relax after an intense workout session. CBD applies externally stays localized and delivers its benefits through local tissues and small blood vessels.