Why Athletes Use CBD in Sports
With the various health benefits of cannabidiol, there is no wonder why athletes use the best CBD oil in sports. By itself, the substance poses little risk of side effects, and CBD athletes receive numerous restorative effects from it.
What’s more, the cannabis extract in CBD products does all this without the adverse effects of conventional medicine. This has led CBD sports to surge, encompassing various games and leagues.
CBD for Athletes
Cannabidiol (CBD), is a substance from the cannabis plant that turns into hemp oil. This liquid is the basis for most hemp-derived products nowadays.
Years of extensive research have uncovered its potential as a health aid, possibly treating many diseases. As such, some countries and US states have legalized its medical use.
Despite hailing from this prohibited plant, CBD oil for athletes poses little risk. It’s the other extract called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that causes the well-known “high.”
Alternatively, industrial hemp can create CBD goods without this psychoactive substance. Some formulations still contain traces of THC to enhance CBD effects.
This legalization gave rise to the CBD sports trend across the United States and other nations. Now, people attempt to possibly remedy their medical conditions, such as chronic pain and anxiety.
These products come in various forms like edibles, topicals, and CBD pills, each inducing distinct health effects. Consumers may either get their fix from dispensaries throughout their streets or from online retailers.
CBD in Sports
CBD sports restrictions have been prevalent in the sports industry. Due to the stance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on CBD, they tested athletes for it. After all, it is committed to keeping out substances that enhance athletic performance to maintain fairness in international sports leagues.
It was only in 2018 that they removed CBD as a banned substance.
The anti-doping commission has allowed professional athletes to use this natural substance because of its potential healing properties. They have found it to be a relatively safer way to manage pain compared to most pharmaceuticals.
Unlike the over-the-counter opiates and pain relievers, they don’t cause addictive and other adverse effects. It even helped with more expedient and sustainable muscle recovery.
Some sports leagues in the US also allowed their athletes to use CBD products. For instance, the National Football League allowed its players to use cannabidiol for pain relief. They suffered severe aches during games despite using painkillers, causing rampant use of controlled substances in desperation.
By allowing CBD use, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to safely alleviate their pain.
Some smaller sports commissions like the Big3 basketball league have even followed suit. Its founder and CEO Jeff Kwatinetz said in a CBS Sports interview that he hopes for its widespread use.
In contrast, some sports commissions still prohibit its use. For example, the NBA still keeps players from using products containing cannabidiol.
CBD sports regulations remain tight in numerous sports since it’s difficult to procure products solely containing cannabidiol. Many products still contain other cannabinoids, so CBD in sports is still banned by other regulatory bodies.
For example, because the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) recognizes this dilemma with CBD, athletes follow its strict cannabidiol regulations.
Benefits of CBD for Athletes
Cannabidiol still has the potential to maintain athlete health and performance. As it might help regular people with their medical conditions, it may also hold potential for players, too.
Some sports leagues found that athletes recover faster after taking cannabidiol. This has enabled them to keep competing in their chosen game.
Boosts Immune System
This substance has shown promise in boosting the immune system. Scientists have found naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the body that regulate its homeostatic balance.
Since cannabidiol is also a cannabinoid, it may possibly benefit the immune system as well. The substance possibly functions similarly, enhancing people’s immunity.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation
Throughout history, marijuana has relieved chronic pain. Nowadays, people rub CBD topicals to soothe aches, since it reduces inflammation in various trials.
As discussed previously, CBD in sports now trends because of it.
Due to these effects of CBD, athletes now use it, spurring the CBD sports trend.
Lowers Stress Levels
People commonly try to use CBD products for anxiety and depression as it can induce relaxation. In turn, this helps folks mitigate their stress levels as it might help in minimizing anxiety and even depression.
Some recommend taking at least a capsule of cannabidiol every day to feel more relaxed. CBD products usually have carrier oils that also have stress relief properties.
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Speeds Up Recovery
Athletes typically suffer injuries caused by physical training and competitions. Searing pain limited or outright hindered their performance. Unfortunately, regular painkillers took long to take effect, prompting some athletes to take larger doses.
The pain relief was usually insufficient and temporary, and increased intake led to complications, addiction, or even death.
Thankfully, some sports commissions allowed their athletes to use cannabidiol. The substance has a minuscule risk of causing dependence. Conversely, it might provide equal, if not, superior pain relief.
Some players would recover quicker from injuries, so they continued performing for their teams sooner.
All-Natural and Organic
Opiates and other over-the-counter pain meds may cause numerous adverse effects.
In contrast, CBD products provide organic, all-natural health benefits to athletes and non-athletes alike.
US-grown CBD from trusted retailers complies with rigorous standards, so consumers are ensured safe, natural cannabidiol.
Promotes Muscle Growth
By taking CBD, athletes may even improve their muscle growth. As the elderly benefit especially from this effect of CBD, sports players may also experience the same effects.
Research showed its potential to reduce cortisol levels and raise protein synthesis. Thus, CBD in sports may help athletes even enhance their performance.
Nevertheless, consult a medical professional before taking CBD products. Prior medical consultation will help you avoid unintended effects from cannabidiol and find products that suit you specifically.
Only purchase them from legal outlets, and strictly comply with your state’s laws regarding CBD consumption.
Best CBD Oil for Athletes
Although there are countless forms of CBD for athletes, the most practical form of CBD in sports is in topical products.
Unlike ingested hemp, infused-topicals can provide targeted effects of hemp. Should CBD for athletes be primarily for muscle recovery, topical hemp is the most effective form.
Topicals in the form of soothing gels and botanical salves can be effective CBD athletes products.
How is that? All they have to do is apply a liberal amount to their desired area and they can experience pain relief almost instantly.
Nevertheless, CBD for athletes can still take different forms such as the classic oil tinctures or discreet capsules. These, on the other hand, will provide synergistic effects to the entire body once ingested. It’s ideal for those looking to use CBD in sports for boosts in energy and focus.
Athletes Who Use CBD
As the restrictions surrounding CBD and sports become more lax, more and more testimonials emerge for CBD oil for athletes.
Since cannabidiol provides a safer alternative to chemical prescriptions, using CBD sports products are becoming more commonplace. Both active and retired big-name professionals are swearing by the effects of cannabidiol on their health and lifestyles.
Some of these names include top players in the NFL, MMA, Olympics, and even the NHL. Retired NHL players were some of the first athletes to publicly advocate for CBD in sports.
Since American football is a physical and oftentimes grueling sport, many retired players suffer from injuries and aches that last for years after hanging up their jerseys.
Terrell Davis, Rob Gronkowski, and David Ahrens are some NHL players who have benefitted from the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil for athletes sports products.
While most of these athletes are casual users of CBD for athletes, others are taking a step further by investing in starting a business.
The list of athletes who are more open about using cannabidiol for muscle recovery and reduced pain is only growing.
Thanks to the changing scene when it comes to viewing cannabis and its by-products, we can expect an influx of celebrities and citizens to use more of it in the future.
Disclaimer: Is CBD Legal?
Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and products have not been FDA approved. You must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. Talk to your physician or medical doctor for additional information.
Published July 1, 2020; Updated October 5, 2020.
