
Athletes place a lot of stress on their bodies to prepare for their events. The strain can have both beneficial and bad consequences on their bodies. As a result, physical injuries and continuous wear and tear help the athletes adapt and improve performance. But, on the other hand, they also contribute to injuries and suffering. As a result, many athletes resort to Cannabidiol (CBD) to improve sports recovery and safer pain management.
What Exactly is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a substance that occurs naturally in cannabis and hemp plants. Although research on CBD is limited, there is evidence that it can affect areas of pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness. Therefore, athletes, especially those in professional fields who may face injury or overexertion during any competition, may require treatment for such conditions.
CBD provides many health benefits like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but it is a better alternative. Cannabidiol does not cause any of the psychoactive side effects that THC does. Instead, it can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation for athletes who engage in high-intensity exercise. However, while THC can relieve pain, it can also have negative side effects and affect athletic performance.
How can CBD help Athletes?
Although there is limited research on CBD, it effectively treats various athletic-related disorders such as inflammation, joint pain, and sore muscles. As a result, athletes might consider adding CBD Cream to their sports training regimen for various reasons.
- Cannabidiol as a Pain Reliever
Again, one of the most common benefits associated with CBD can help relieve or reduce pain. Cannabidiol works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to eliminate free radicals and reduce inflammation. CBD can be a fantastic natural alternative for athletes that engage in strenuous exercise or high-impact movements. In addition, athletes should use CBD-based products that are specifically designed for them.
People use THC, CBD’s more well-known psychoactive family member, to relieve pain. Additionally, unlike CBD, THC can cause short-term memory loss, dependency, and other undesirable side effects.
- Drug Testing and CBD
Many athletes in the past have been disqualified for using drugs before their games. The good news is, Cannabidiol can be an excellent natural alternative for pain relief because it does not show up on drug testing. You can use CBD products that contain 0.3% or less amount of THC. Furthermore, you can limit the capacity to get ‘high’ on a drug test.
- CBD as a replacement to Opioids
Opioids are pain-relieving medications that are derived from poppy plants. Opioid pain relievers such as morphine, codeine, and oxycontin are highly effective for pain relief if you use them in small doses. However, they can be fatal if there is an overdose. According to the CDC, opioids were linked to thousands of deaths in the United States in 2016.
Although Cannabinoids aren’t as effective as opioids for treating acute, high-intensity pain, they may be useful for long-term pain management. You can either use CBD products alone or in combination with other medications. Furthermore, it has significantly less risk of addiction or death. In addition, you can find evidence suggesting that experts use CBD to treat addiction to opioids and other substances.
- CBD as an aid to better sleep
CBD can help athletes in achieving healthier sleep cycles without making them drowsy. One of the most critical components of healing for athletes is getting enough sleep each night. The body repairs, recharges, regulates hormones, and even loses weight as it sleeps.
When it comes to CBD use by athletes, there are many different ways to consume it or apply it. Also, starting with a pain-relieving journey for athletes will be safer in small doses. They should, however, consult their doctor and coach before starting on the CBD journey.
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