Day: March 10, 2022

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CBD for Athletes: What Athletes (& Weekend Warriors) Should Know and Why

Are you an athlete?

Whether you’re a dedicated gym goer, an avid golfer, a yogi or just living your best active lifestyle- you’ve probably felt sore or stiff at least once. We’ve all been there. It happens. And when it does, we stretch, hydrate, massage and hope it doesn’t get worse. Those are all good steps towards relief. They can help you keep your momentum going even if “athlete” isn’t your job title. Still, you may wonder if there’s something more helpful out there.

So, what do athletes (just like you) do?

What options exist to support your wellness, health and workouts? Well, first let’s consider the root cause of the pain. Pain, stiffness, muscle spasms and soreness all stem from inflammation. Inflammation issues can be (at least temporarily) addressed with NSAIDs or muscle relaxers. But as we know, those powerful medicines have loads of negative side effects and can wreak havoc on your gut. No one wants to create problems when looking for solutions. 

Can CBD be the answer?

Maybe. If you’re interested in a more natural approach to pain relief, you should consider full spectrum CBD. You may already know that athletes of every level and across all sports from professional boxers, football players, and golfers to amateurs from all walks of life have jumped on the CBD bandwagon. Why? Because it helps. At this point you may be asking yourself why everyone isn’t using CBD if it’s so great… they just don’t know…YET. CBD is still relatively new but there’s more and more promising information being revealed as researchers around the world share their findings.

What if everyone had CBD advice from the pros?

Imagine yourself having direct, one-on-one access to exercise physiologists, sports medicine doctors, olympic trainers and nutritionists- all  with the latest research and tools at their fingertips. Experts who know about optimal performance for athletes and mere mortals. These experts have a deep understanding of how the body works. They know the importance of good sleep habits, managing your stress levels, resting and recovering, eating a healthy diet, using proper supplements and so much more. They know that hormones play an integral role in building and repairing muscles. And these experts will tell you that recovery and muscle repair happens mostly during sleep. In fact, it’s during deep, uninterrupted sleep when the body regenerates and prepares for the exertion of energy that is to come. Translation: if you’re not getting good quality sleep on a regular basis, your energy, stamina and performance will all suffer, your gains will be minimized and your recovery will take longer. Oh, and you’ll be moody and prone to making poor food choices because your brain, gut and body will be out of whack. Also, the experts know, from countless studies and observational data, that CBD supports virtually all of the body’s functions and helps to regulate balance or bodily homeostasis. CBD has been shown to support healthy sleep cycles, regulate stress hormones, reduce inflammation- basically, CBD can optimize your athletic performance and your life. Experts around the world have been using this knowledge to optimize how athletes perform. And now you know why everyone should be using CBD every day to support their healthy lifestyle goals.

Curious about trying CBD?

Here’s a quick overview of CBD for athletes and everyone interested in keeping fit.

How does CBD work?

Simply stated, CBD, a cannabinoid occurring naturally in the hemp plant, interacts with our bodies through the Endocannabinoid system (ECS) via 2 types of receptors, CB1 and CB2, which regulate bodily activities such as sleep, stress, pain, gut health, immune function and more. CBD is non-intoxicating and safe to use daily.

How does CBD help with athletic performance? 

4 Major Benefits of CBD for Athletic Performance and Overall Wellness

Better Sleep

CBD works with CB1 receptors in your brain and throughout your body to regulate and improve sleep cycles. CBD has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and reduce periods of wakefulness. CBD promotes better sleep which improves energy, boosts stamina and increases overall athletic performance.

Better Gut Health

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that control digestion, metabolism, mood and immune function. It’s also home to CBD receptors that interact with CBD to impact the growth of “good” gut bacteria which regulate everything your gut does. A happy gut means your body performs better overall.

Decreased Stress and Anxiety

Stress happens when your body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, aka “stress hormones” which then causes physical, mental and emotional pressure. Ignoring stress impacts your overall health and can derail your fitness and weight management goals. CBD has been shown to ease anxiety and stress which supports your wellbeing.

Reduced Pain and Inflammation

CBD acts as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and has antioxidative properties which ease and mitigate pain in the body caused by inflammation. CBD is effective in addressing muscle pain, soreness and aids in faster post-workout recovery. Less pain and inflammation means you can enjoy a better workout.

There are countless and varied reasons for why CBD is a vital part of so many people’s fitness and wellness programs. As you consider integrating CBD into your healthy lifestyle, remember that quality matters. Use the highest quality hemp derived CBD from a trusted brand. Look for detailed, transparent labeling and a verified 3rd party lab report. For best results, use full spectrum CBD products. 

And remember, consistency is key. Just like your exercise, diet, and other daily practices, the more consistent you are, the better your results will be. Stacking good habits and practicing them daily leads to optimal benefits. 

If you’re interested in learning more about CBD, see these related blog posts:

https://walmansapothecary.com/blog/

Sources Cited:

Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/

Gyires K, Zádori ZS. Role of Cannabinoids in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Defense and Inflammation. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):935-951. doi:10.2174/1570159×14666160303110150

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5333598/

Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, Marmar CR. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/

Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel).