Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by Kaira
Uses of CBD for Athletes
Although there is nothing better than a balanced food and nutrition regimen, there are times when even athletes need to look forward to supplements and energy boosters. Remember, athletes invest much time and energy into playing sports.
However, that doesn’t only reflect in the form of increased performance; it is equally profitable for their career. As we weigh the positive side of sports, it is imperative to look at its downside. With positives, there are also negative effects, such as pain, injuries, inflammation in the body, muscle aches, and several other issues.
CBD can help athletes get back on their feet in this situation. However, before we discuss CBD’s benefits for athletes, it is imperative to reflect on its legal status.
Is CBD Legal for Athletes?
Surprisingly, yes! CBD is legal for athletes. After the beginning of 2018, WDA removed CBD from the list of banned substances. This was followed by the US anti-doping agency that cleared marijuana from any negative charge.
Although CBD is legal, its sister compound, THC, is still banned in many parts of the globe. Athletes can use CBD for the following reasons:
1) Pain Relief
Several studies prove that THC is better than CBD when it comes to curtailing body pains. Especially when it comes to musculoskeletal pains, which result from exercise, athletes can use this compound in mild dosage.
However, CBD is far less researched as compared to THC, so nothing concrete can be said about its use. Despite the lack of enough evidence, a lot of people who consume CBD claim it helps in reducing body pains.
2) Alternative to Opioids
You will be shocked to know that more than 42,000 people died as a result of opioid overdose in the US back in 2016 (hence the multi-billion dollar lawsuit on all the Big Pharma companies going on right now). Although opioid medications are effective for pain management, they can cause addiction and lead to death.
Surprisingly, cannabinoids are an effective replacement for opioids for relieving acute pain. So, athletes who go through long-term pains can consume CBD for better results.
3) Improve Sleep Quality
More than 505 of the world’s population suffers from insomnia. This means more than 3.5 billion people suffer from some sleeping disorder.
For athletes, getting good sleep is imperative because most of their training begins early in the morning. Drinking a cup of CBD tea before bedtime can give you a good night’s sleep. Many athletes who frequently consume CBD claim it helps them sleep peacefully without hallucinations.
4) Reduce Inflammation
Don’t believe what the online articles say because some parts of inflammation are healthy for athletes and can assist in training. Conversely, too much inflammation is not good for the body and can have a serious impact on performance.
Keep in mind that there are CB2 receptors in the pain and peripheral systems. However, both are infused in the immune tissues. Cannabinoids help reduce inflammation by curtailing the production of cytokines.
