Whether you’re slated for the Paris Olympics, an up-and-coming amateur, or the All-Star left fielder for your adult kickball team, athletes of all kinds need high-quality recovery. The human body can handle an unimaginable amount of stress, adapting to it by strengthening muscles and fortifying joints. But to keep your body at its healthy baseline, you need an effective recovery routine tailored to your unique training regimen and physical needs. This routine is as important as the training itself. Recently, sports medicine has sought novel methods to enhance and speed recovery. While many of these methods are intriguing, the most fascinating, perhaps, is CBD.
With the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp at the federal level, scientists, researchers, and companies have rushed to uncover precisely what this mythical compound can do. In terms of recovery, CBD has been shown to produce myriad effects that deepen an athlete's recovery, getting them ready for their next game, set, or match. Because the market for CBD is so new, many unreliable and untested brands push products that don’t quite perform as advertised.
So, we are proud to bring you a collection of effective CBD products perfect for athletes at any level. Whether it’s a tweaked joint, an aching muscle, or pregame jitters, CBD is uniquely equipped for the job––and CBD.co is uniquely qualified to introduce you to your next premier CBD product.
As an athlete, you want your recovery to match your effort in the gym or on the court. So, you need something that’ll keep up with you at every stage of the game. When we look at how CBD helps athletes, we first need to make sure we’re on an equal playing field. Let’s define what CBD is and what it does in the human body.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. In fact, CBD is one of the most abundant cannabinoids; some strains have less CBD than others, but all strains contain some percentage of CBD. CBD is not THC––the psychedelic cannabinoid. When you think of cannabis, it’s probably THC that first comes to mind––the red eyes, euphoric feelings, and uncontrollable giggles. But, CBD does not incite these iconic cerebral effects.
Instead, CBD molecules bind with peripheral receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system. These receptors are CB2 receptors and almost exclusively bind with CBD molecules. When they do so, CBD’s potent anti-inflammatory properties release tension and soothe your body’s aches and pains. Digesting CBD oil can attack this tension from all sides, while a CBD topical can provide more direct, targeted relief.
Another prevalent use of CBD is to quiet the mind’s anxious chatter. A come-from-behind win, a buzzer-beating corner three, and a no-hitter in your adult kickball game can all cause mental fatigue. It’s no secret that stress has similar effects on the mind as it does on the body. Stress can steal your sleep, keep you unfocused, and deplete your motivation. To address this mental hurdle, many athletes turn to CBD––in fact, CBD has been shown to mitigate stress, reduce anxiety, and alleviate cognitive fatigue.
Within the last few years, many worldwide sports agencies and leagues have reduced or eradicated bans on the cannabis plant. Most notably, in 2020, Major League Baseball removed cannabis of all kinds from its list of banned substances––the only stipulation being players can’t show up to work high; join the club. In basketball news, the NBA decided that the 2020-2021 season was the last season they’d test players for cannabis. For American athletes, restrictions definitely seem to be loosening.
While all of this looks promising for athletes who use CBD and cannabis products, not all agencies are on board just yet. The World Anti-Doping Agency still classifies all cannabinoids as “banned substances” despite the growing breadth of supportive studies and research. Other leagues around the world aren’t as “cool” with cannabis like MLB and NBA. So, if you are an athlete looking into the therapeutic benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids, be sure to inspect your league's rules––because even CBD may result in a positive drug test.
If you’re aware of the hemp market, you know about the vast number of CBD products. There seems to be a CBD product for just about every use and need. But a specific few work much better than the rest––especially for athletes. These are designed to massage sore muscles, relieve stiff joints, and calm performance anxiety. If you’re looking for an improvement to your recovery or need a little something to still your pregame nerves, these three products are perfect for you.
If you’ve had a CBD-infused edible or drink, you’ve probably already encountered CBD oil. When cultivating hemp plants, growers formulate the plant matter into a rich, thick oil teeming with a potent supply of CBD. Compared to CBD edibles like gummies, however, you take oil differently.
Most CBD oil bottles come with a dropper attached to the lid. First, you fill the dropper with your desired CBD dosage and administer the oil under your tongue. Hold it there for a couple of seconds to a full minute. This will allow the mucous membranes under your tongue to absorb the viscous oil and usher it instantly into your bloodstream, resulting in calming effects in a matter of minutes.
CBD oil is especially beneficial for athletes because it provides all-around relief faster than a gummy. Unlike CBD oil, an edible has to pass through your digestive tract before dancing with your endocannabinoid receptors and inciting effects, which can take longer. Also, you can add CBD oil to any drinks, protein shakes, or green smoothies to boost the flavor and make taking your CBD absolutely fun!
Not only is your skin your largest organ, but it’s also the bouncer who decides what gets into your body. Specific molecules and compounds get a free pass into the bloodstream while elements like dirt and free radicals are kept at the door. CBD and other cannabinoids are just a few of these compounds with special VIP access.
When you apply a CBD cream onto a sore muscle or aching joint, the CBD molecules seep through your skin, venturing into your bloodstream and muscles. These creams can also include other natural, organic ingredients to boost CBD’s therapeutic effects while also providing enhanced results. Companies sell CBD in small bottles, perfect for any gym bag or away game.
Another popular topical for athletes is CBD balm. CBD balm is a stick you rub on a sore muscle or nagging joint. These products are excellent because you can roll a generous amount on the target area without using your hands to rub it in. These balms work like CBD cream in that the CBD molecules absorb through your skin, seep into your bloodstream, and release the tension in the underlying muscles. It’s perfect for quick, on-the-go relief!
If your recovery isn’t as airtight as your training, you’re going to trip over some hurdles as an athlete. At CBD.co, we believe in giving our customers the best CBD products from the wild world of weed––products that are expertly curated and designed with the athlete in mind. You go out and win the game; we’ll help with the recovery.
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