3 Ways CBD Can Help Increase Your Sports Performance

Various Glass Bottles with CBD Oil | Sports Performance | Featured

CBD may support your athletic goals, especially if you're looking to stay robust and energetic. Read on to know more about CBD and how it can enhance sports performance.

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Ways CBD Can Boost Your Sports Performance | What You Need to Know

What Is CBD Used For?

Full Spectrum CBD | Sports Performance

CBD stands for cannabidiol, an organic compound that you can find inside the cannabis plant and the hemp plant.

However, it doesn't give you that “high” feeling which is associated with marijuana — that's THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.

Instead, CBD can make your body healthy, keep it stable, and provide a sense of well-being. It's also used to treat asthma and epilepsy, stimulate appetite, relax muscles, and sedate.

The typical formulation of CBD is oil, but it's also available in capsule, extract, and vaporized liquid forms. Additionally, you can find beauty products, food, and drinks that are infused with this ingredient.

Nowadays, CBD has become a popular health supplement that you may buy without a prescription, given that it doesn't contain THC. Fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes are now considering it as an essential part of advancing their sports performance and recovery.

Sportsman with Bottle of Pills in Gym | Sports Performance

Yes. Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) allow the use of CBD in competition.

These organizations keep a list of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs in sports. It's important to note that only CBD was made an exception. Synthetic cannabinoids and THC are still illegal in competition.

However, CBD's legality is a different issue outside of sports and varies from country to country. For instance, if your CBD product is obtained from a hemp plant grown in the US and has a license and permit under the Farm Bill, then it's federally legal.

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The permissibility of cannabis and related products is complicated and changes continuously. Check your federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as some countries still ban CBD.

Is CBD Good for Sports?

Runner Using Doping Before Race | Sports Performance

CBD provides numerous health benefits, especially for athletes. Here's how CBD can take your sports performance to the next level.

1. Reduces Pain and Inflammation

Woman Suffering from Pain in Leg | Sports Performance

As an athlete, you may have to train and play repeatedly. With this, you may experience stiff or inflamed joints and muscles, which can negatively affect your sports performance.

Inflammation may not be a pleasant process, but athletes have to deal with it. This natural response actually helps your muscles absorb all resources required for their growth and restoration.

CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it a critical player in muscle repair. It lessens pain and accelerates recovery.

In addition, CBD also has antispasmodic properties, helping in the reduction of muscle spasms. This makes CBD an interesting alternative to pain management and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

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2. Promotes Quality Sleep

Portrait of a Man Sleeping | Sports Performance

Sleep makes you feel restored and helps you prepare for your next training or event. It grows and repairs your muscles, which can enhance your sports performance. However, you may find getting a good night's sleep challenging, and this is where CBD can help.

CBD can be beneficial in getting restful sleep because it addresses some of the common causes of insomnia:

  • Mental health issues, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Caffeine
  • Medication
  • Environmental noise

High CBD doses can serve as a sleep aid. It helps you feel more relaxed, making it easier for you to fall and stay asleep.

On the other hand, low doses of CBD can maintain your energy throughout the day. According to a study, CBD can improve alertness and assist in the regulation of your body's internal clock.

3. Keeps You Focused

Woman Balancing | Sports Performance

To be able to improve your sports performance, you don't just have to be in tip-top shape. Your mind must be fit as well since it's equally as critical as your body.

You have to stay strong-willed and focused on your goals. Additionally, some settings require on-the-spot, quick, and calculated decisions, so your concentration level must be high.

However, modern-day living can interfere with this focus, making you vulnerable to worries, tension, and stress. If you want to feel motivated to do multiple training sessions and competitive enough to beat your opponent, CBD can be the answer.

CBD has properties that enhance the flow of your blood going to the parts of your brain that are crucial for decision making. In fact, a study shows that CBD can significantly lessen anxiety and cognitive impairment.

Is It Safe to Use CBD Every Day?

Woman Adding Drop of CBD Oil | Sports Performance

With its health benefits, you can and actually should use CBD regularly. However, keep in mind not to overdose on it, as it can lead to stomach discomfort, excessive sleepiness, lack of energy, and diarrhea.

Your body processes CBD through the same path in your liver together with your other medication. Due to this, you may opt for full-spectrum CBD products.

These products contain natural compounds, as well as vitamins, oils, and cannabis plant extracts that you only need to take in lower doses. This can avoid interactions with your other drugs and prevent liver problems.

What Are the Side Effects of CBD?

Herbal Cannabis Oil on Wooden Spoon | Sports Performance

Unlike smoking pot, using CBD won't give you that “giggly” feeling. After taking it, wait to determine how your body reacts.

CBD's side effects may include:

  • Bad temper
  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Chest pain
  • Weight fluctuations

Although CBD entails some risks, they're often well-tolerated, making it safe for everyone to use. Thankfully, there's no case yet of any health-related problems linked with it.

CBD can interact with the other drugs you're currently consuming. Be sure to consult your doctor before using CBD-infused products. In addition, make sure that they're legitimate, as synthetic CBD can impose harmful effects.

Apart from increasing sports performance, CBD is also believed to manage anxiety. Watch this video by Douglas Bloch as he discusses whether CBD oil is merely hype or a miracle cure for mental health conditions:

CBD has health-boosting properties that can alleviate stress, pain, and injuries. Reflect on the benefits stated above, and who knows, this may just become your go-to product.

Have you tried using CBD in sports?

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Aside from CBD, do you know of any sports nutrition and performance-enhancing supplements that can boost sports performance? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!

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