CBD and Stretching

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL EKE AND DR. SWATHI

Stretching is a simple yet effective activity that can bring a number of  advantages to both your physical and mental health. Stretching can be done anywhere, anytime, and requires very little equipment. Incorporating stretching into your daily routine can help you feel better, move more easily, and reduce the risk of injury. This is true whether you are an athlete, a desk worker, or simply looking to improve your overall well-being. Stretching can help you feel better, move more easily, and reduce the risk of injury.

Those who participate in stretching and or yoga regularly have been aware of the positive effects of the practice for a very long time. Yoga and stretching has the ability to assist the mind become more at ease and promote overall health, but in addition, stretching can help in the regulation of certain mental illnesses. Strength and flexibility are both improved because of this activity. It's possible that this is why over 300 million people all over the world have made yoga a regular part of their lives.

CBD and stretching

In a lot of ways, cannabidiol (CBD) is a lot like stretching; it has a lot of potential benefits that many people swear by, and some of those potential benefits correlate with those related to stretching. Many users believe that CBD is useful in encouraging overall mental and physical well-being. 

People who use CBD oil who also engage in regular stretching/yoga practice may benefit from the combination without even being aware of it. But, for those who are interested in taking a more methodical approach, the following are a few methods that CBD can be utilized before, during, or after stretching.

Taking a CBD orally (by mouth) or topically (on the skin)  before stretching can help prepare your mind and body for what's to come, as many people have claimed that CBD helps to  promote a sense of peace. The vast majority of people who participate in yoga would probably agree that a natural remedy  like CBD, which has been shown to encourage mental calm, could serve as the ideal precursor to the exercise, leading to a more satisfying experience overall.

CBD and yoga

CBD has been shown to enhance focus and concentration; therefore, taking it before your workout may help build a sense of presence in the mind, which is an essential notion at the heart of yoga.

The topical application of a CBD balm, transdermal patch, or lotion to an area of the body where someone is experiencing discomfort or  soreness may help ease the symptoms of these conditions. This can help provide relief while practicing yoga, enhancing the body's suppleness and flexibility, both of which are extremely important in order to get the most out of each asana (position).

Research indicates that CBD may be effective in lowering inflammation and playing a role in healing  muscle tissue, making it a useful supplement to consume after a yoga session. The use of CBD and yoga are both thought to promote  homeostasis (or balance throughout the body)by a large number of people; combining the two may help you maintain this feeling of equilibrium well after you have completed your practice.Overall, CBD works well with yoga practice because it helps relax your mind from the start, which enables you to keep your attention during the class, go deeper into your stretches, and shorten the amount of time it takes for your muscles to recover after the practice.

Aching muscles and joints are a common side effect of physical activity. In most cases, the condition is brought on by so-called "micro-tears" in our muscles, which are brought on by the strain that occurs during physical exercise. These tears are strengthened by the addition of new cells as part of the healing process, which is also how new muscles are developed.

An often overlooked point is that we should stick to a post-workout regimen in order to guarantee that muscles and joints  are provided with the necessary care and attention to prevent them from becoming overworked. It has been demonstrated that reducing the likelihood of inflammation in our muscles by stretching them after exercise could be the trick. Stretching helps your body recover faster between exercises and should be thought of as an essential component of any cool-down routine. This is especially true when combined with CBD, which can soothe any soreness or discomfort

References:

Isenmann E, Veit S, Starke L, Flenker U, Diel P. Effects of Cannabidiol Supplementation on Skeletal Muscle Regeneration after Intensive Resistance Training. Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3028. Published 2021 Aug 30. doi:10.3390/nu13093028

Afonso J, Clemente FM, Nakamura FY, et al. The Effectiveness of Post-exercise Stretching in Short-Term and Delayed Recovery of Strength, Range of Motion and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Physiol. 2021;12:677581. Published 2021 May 5. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.677581

Vijayaraghava A, Doreswamy V, Narasipur OS, Kunnavil R, Srinivasamurthy N. Effect of Yoga Practice on Levels of Inflammatory Markers After Moderate and Strenuous Exercise. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(6):CC08-CC12. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/12851.6021

Manzanares J, Julian M, Carrascosa A. Role of the cannabinoid system in pain control and therapeutic implications for the management of acute and chronic pain episodes. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2006;4(3):239-257. doi:10.2174/157015906778019527

This article was edited by Dr. Swathi and was written by Element Apothec Scientific Communications Intern, Michael Eke. He is a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) candidate at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.