Does CBD and Fitness go hand in hand. What comes to your mind when you see a bottle of CBD oil or any CBD product? Do you use CBD pre or post workout? In most cases, people focus more on the psychoactive properties of THC leaving out the ability of CBD to interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoids system to control cognitive activities like hunger, appetite, pain sensation, focus, and internal balance. It is pertinent to note that CBD and THC are two different compounds found in the same plant and interact differently when present in our bodies.
New information gathered from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) shows that CBD is no longer prohibited during sporting competitions thanks to its ability to interact with the ECS receptors to promote focus and pain relief without the usual high associated with other cannabinoids and cannabimimetic. Before this development, the use of CBD and other cannabis-based products were banned during sporting activities, thus making them illegal for fitness. A lot of evidence is unfolding concerning the potential benefits of CBD on our daily activities. In this article, we shall study how CBD can play essential roles in fitness with an emphasis on athletes. Please note that, unless otherwise stated, all information and medical claims in this article are based on scientific research and not official statements from the FDA or any other regulatory body.
HOW CAN CBD AND THE ENDOCANNABINOIDS SYSTEM PROMOTE FITNESS
The potential use of CBD as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, analgesic and antidepressant has been widely discussed and studied by several researchers. There are even cases of Athletes who use CBD to stay focused and alert during an exercise session or reduce the levels of anxiety associated with participating in the big game. These vast array of benefits are possible via the activity of CBD and the cannabinoid receptors. Unlike THC, CBD does not interact directly with these receptors but trigger them to act on the required systems and organs. Some of the commonly encountered benefits of this interaction can bring about the following benefits to athletes and people who are interested in keeping fit.
a. Internal balance
Exercise and workout exert pressure on the body thus making it produce lots of free radicals (positively charged particles) that can accumulate in the cells to cause a muscle spasm, joint pain and other possible challenges linked with the accumulation of free radicals. The ability of CBD to interact with the ECS receptors can produce antioxidant activities, thus neutralizing the high buildup of free radicals and their side effects. This antioxidant activity can also play an integral role in reducing the growth of cancerous cells in the body. Information gathered from research has shown that CBD possesses an excellent antioxidant profile which is more effective than what is obtained from Vitamin C and E.
b. Anti-inflammatory properties
CB2 receptors of the ECS, which are widely distributed in the immune system, have been identified to play critical roles in controlling the activities of the immune system. The level of stress your body is subjected to during workout tends to it make prone to pains and aches. In most cases, athletes learn to perform with the through the pains since sporting activities, and fitness goals may be competitive. These athletes later fall back to the use of over-the-counter prescription drugs for pain management. Although these drugs may assist in building tolerance, they only mask the pain without taking care of the underlying conditions, causing them, thereby leading to over-dependence and addiction. In 2017, the BBC reported that about 60% of amateur athletes took over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to support their performance or recovery at least once a week.
Rather than relying heavily on these medications which provide only temporary relief with lots of side effects, there is an increasing level of research aimed at exploring the anti-inflammatory potentials of CBD and ECS as an alternative remedy to painkillers. This is because CBD can trigger the CB2 receptors to manage pain in a more natural way. The ECS has also been found to play an active role in the pain circuit but inhibiting neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, which are vital to pain sensation and relief.
c. Reduced anxiety – before, during and after exercise
It is common for most athletes to experience game-day jitters before a playoff or tournament. These forms of anxiety can be difficult to deal with; hence, triggering a lot of negative thoughts and dealing a great blow on the athletes’ confidence to remain relaxed and focused. CBD has been discovered from research to boost the signals of serotonin receptors in the brains, thus regulating mood and also the feelings of well-being in the research subjects. Its ability to also elicit anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties via interaction with the ECS receptors can increase the activities of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAMA) in producing calming effects when amplified.
Using CBD during and after a workout may help to keep the brain relaxed and improves focus. Some researchers have also reported the role of CBD in triggering the production of new brain cells via neurogenesis.
d. Speed-up Recovery Time
The earliest use of cannabis plants for wound healing can be traced back to the Ancient Chinese and Roman medicine where the whole plant extract was applied to battle wounds to promote healing. Today, information from research has shown that CBD in synergism with THC can promote bone healing. They can also help in speeding up the recovery processes and keep the body balanced at a faster rate. Its interaction with the ECS receptors can serve to promote hormonal balance, rest and sleep, which are essential for healthy living.
Its Fitness Time
The role of CBD in triggering the activities of the endocannabinoids system is the singular factor responsible for its therapeutic potentials. It is safe for use and has been removed from the list of banned substances for sporting activities. CBD does not tamper with brain activities nor makes the user high.
Don’t forget to contact us if you have questions on the use of CBD for fitness. Our CBD Wellness Coaches would love to hear from you.
