Many governments have recently improved the wider medical use of cannabinoids. Due to this, new compounds are on the rise. One active ingredient? Cannabidiol, often referred to as CBD, boasts impressive anti-inflammatory effects. It’s these effects that can assist in enhancing your post-workout recovery. This ergogenic promotes a better and faster recovery, particularly concerning efforts related to physical exercise and sport.
Evidence suggests CBD alters your immune cell function, thus heightening your body’s immune system. The result? Your body copes better with post-exercise injury. This includes exercise-induced soreness and inflammation.
On top of this, CBD boasts additional health-beneficial benefits, including everything from antioxidant properties to anti-seizure, neuroprotective, antidepressant anxiolytic, and antipsychotic effects.
In this handy guide, we detail more of these benefits, showcasing how CBD can increase post-workout recovery. Read on to learn more.
Advantages of CBD in Exercise
CBD Olie, unlike other parts of the cannabis plant, is non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t affect your mental functions. Instead, it:
- May Heighten Your Recovery: CBD can help post-workout recovery by lessening inflammation, reducing muscle soreness, and increasing relaxation. The result? Your body recovers faster between workouts, meaning you can cash in on your training schedules. This is an asset to those who train for work, such as professional athletes, especially when an event is coming up. Prior to competitions, many athletes will put their bodies under extreme stress to make sure they’re in shape for the day.
- May Help You To Manage Exercise-Related Stress: After lots of exercise, your body becomes physically stressed. If your mind is stressed, this becomes a double whammy. CBD’s stress-lessening effects may help you manage your exercise-related stress, leading to a more balanced mental state when training. This can contribute to achieving your exercise goals.
- Better Sleep: A good night’s sleep is crucial to your recovery after working out. CBD’s sleep-inducing qualities can increase your level of calm, which means you’re less likely to experience sleep disturbances. A good night’s sleep also helps your body to recover post-exercise. This heightens your athletic performance in the long run.
- Balanced Energy Levels: CBD’s influence on the ECS increases the stability and balance of your energy levels. This means you’re less likely to experience any of the crashes linked to stimulants
- May Increase Your Focus and Concentration: When adding CBD to your lifestyle, you may experience heightened concentration and focus. This may be advantageous when embracing mental clarity while exercising, maximizing performance, and assisting with recovery.
- Reduced Cytokine Levels: This has an anti-inflammatory effect and works by interacting with receptors, thus lowering your cytokine levels. This helps to speed up your recovery and lessens muscle soreness. On top of this, CBD promotes the release of arachidonic acid. This is beneficial to healing.
How To Combine CBD With Your Exercise Routine
There are many ways you can combine CBD into your daily exercise routine. From topical CBD products to oil and tinctures, there are many ways to take this herb. In addition, it’s available in drinkable form and in the shape of edibles and capsules. We’ve listed more on these below:
- Topical CBD Products: CBD-infused balms, creams, and salves. These can be directly applied to affected areas of pain, discomfort, or muscle soreness. CBD in this form provides targeted relief. This is beneficial to active individuals who often suffer from localized inflammation and pain. Research carried out in 2018 states that 62% of CBD users report using the cannabinoid to treat specific medical conditions, including pain management, anxiety, and depression.
- CBD Oil or Tinctures: CBD in this form is prevalent in athletes who prefer to add CBD to post-workout beverages, such as protein shakes. For best results, always begin with a lower dosage and increase gradually to discover what dosage works best for you.
- CBD Edibles and Capsules: CBD edibles or capsules provide a discreet and hassle-free way to take CBD. These capsules come pre-measured and complement your daily supplements. The dosages available tend to range from 5 to 150 mg CBD.
- CBD-Infused Beverages: CBD beverages are becoming more popular by the minute with fitness enthusiasts. These comprise recovery shakes and sports drinks. The result? You benefit from CBD and hydration consumption at the same time. These products have been manufactured specifically for exercise recovery and provide a stress-free way to incorporate CBD into your daily workout regime.
The Bottom Line
CBD has potential as a fitness supplement, especially for gym enthusiasts keen to boost their post-workout recovery. Why? It boasts anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. In addition, it lessens stress on your body and appears to alter physiological and psychological responses to aerobic exercise without impairing performance.
When CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, it can heighten performance and, more importantly, boost recovery.
When you embrace CBD’s benefits alongside a healthy lifestyle, it can contribute to your well-being. One point to note? Different types and dosages are available; there isn’t a ‘one fit’ for all. Start small to discover your own body’s response to CBD. If in doubt, always consult with your healthcare professional before incorporating CBD into your post-workout routine.
