CBD and Fitness

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL EKE AND DR. SWATHI

What is CBD?

For many common ailments, cannabidiol is a popular natural treatment. What precisely is CBD, then? It resembles  the endocannabinoids that our body naturally produces in our endocannabinoid system (also known as anandamide or 2-AG). Numerous aspects of human functioning, including hunger, memory, discomfort perception, and sleep, are governed by the ECS. The ECS seeks to restore homeostasis, sometimes referred to as the biological system's "balance," to the rest of the body. CBD from the cannabis plant is extracted to make CBD oil, which is then often combined  with a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. 

These days, a wide range of goods, including dietary supplements, bath soaks, beverages, and food, are using CBD as an active ingredient. Along with the many extract varieties, there are also a growing number of ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle, including oils, topical lotions, capsules, and foods. Each product type offers a unique set of advantages and takes a varying amount of time to have the intended impact. 

Many individuals do not know about the connection between CBD and fitness. CBD may be new to your pre-, post-, and recovery-workout routines as it can play a role in low- and high-intensity exercise. Read on to discover the link!

Pre-workout

Pre-workout supplements often aim to increase energy and improve performance. They often come in powders that are dissolved in water or infused in a smoothie. Pre-workout supplements provide athletes with essential nutrition, an energy boost, and routine consistency. L-glutamine, caffeine, vitamin B, and creatine are among substances frequently used in a pre-workout regimen. 

CBD in a pre-workout routine

CBD synergizes with the endocannabinoids that our endocannabinoid system naturally produces (ECS). (Note: the ECS's main objective is to restore homeostasis, or the biological system's "balance," to the rest of the body). As a result, CBD supports mental focus and clarity during exercise. Another advantage is that CBD could slow down the rate at which that energy is expended. This results in longer and harder exercises. Good sleep is an element that contributes to a better workout.

Post-workout 

Body tension is a result of all exercises, especially difficult ones. When you exercise, you are fatiguing, or tired, out different muscles, which results in tiny damage to the muscle cells. Inflammation really rises as a result of varying hormone and enzyme levels.What you do after working out is crucial to getting outcomes, including weight reduction and muscle building while minimizing pain. In addition to restoring your vitality, a post-workout regimen helps you maintain optimal energy levels, which makes it simpler to stick to your exercise plan.

CBD in a post-workout routine 

Athletes can gain a lot from CBD during the post-workout/recovery phase. Exercise-induced muscle soreness, commonly known as delayed-onset muscular soreness or DOMS, is a symptom that your muscles were damaged. Your body starts the healing process when this injury, or micro-tearing, occurs by inducing inflammation at the wounded spot. An athlete may experience exercise-induced inflammation from the day before; CBD may help reduce it. The uncomfortable side effects of a prior workout can be reduced since CBD combats muscle pain and exercise-induced inflammation. Because it enables faster recovery for athletes, CBD promotes the growth of muscles.

Low-intensity exercise

A common low-intensity workout is yoga. It is thought that a regular yoga practice may enhance energy and respiration, flexibility, muscular tone, and strength, among other benefits. It is a physical and spiritual activity. The main stress hormone that humans release is cortisol. In essence, if yoga and CBD are used in tandem with one another, more parts of the body that deal with stress may have an amplified effect at the same time. Although yoga has traditionally been emphasized for relaxation, there are many more advantages to practicing yoga than simply managing stress. While additional study is required, several studies have suggested that yoga may lessen unwanted inflammation–often associated with chronic stress– in the body.

High intensity exercise

CBD may be a new approach to help your body get the rest it needs the day before a big game or race, and it may be extremely effective for recovering from intense training. Sleep is one of the most crucial components of healing! You won't perform at your best if you don't get enough sleep, especially the night before the race. Your body needs sleep to rebuild damaged muscle tissue that has been caused by exercise. Before entering the gym or field for a big game, being psychologically and emotionally ready is key to overcome our biggest opponent–ourselves. Sport psychology has identified pre-event apprehension as a major problem, particularly as it relates to technical and physical performance. Arousal is frequently associated with anxious feelings in a sporting environment, and this unfavorable mental state can increase muscular tension and impair coordination.

The bottom line

In conclusion, you may be surprised to hear but it’s true– exercise and CBD work well together. CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors that optimize sleep, relaxation, and recuperation, as well as muscular growth and performance enhancement. Because what’s great is that it doesn't interfere with the mind's regular functioning and isn't addictive, CBD is quickly becoming widely accepted. When you have discomfort after working out or need a quicker recovery, don't be afraid to look to  CBD as your new teammate–on or off the field!

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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.