Athletes put their bodies through a lot. Every time the body is put through some kind of strenuous physical activity, muscles tear and break down. The body does this naturally so fat dissolves and muscles can grow back bigger and better than before. Unfortunately, this process can lead to inflammation, pain, sleeplessness and sometimes injury.
Some athletes use pharmaceutical medications to ease their pain, but many are turning to a more natural alternative – CBD.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid produced by cannabis plants. It doesn’t have any psychoactive effects like marijuana-produced THC does. Instead of interacting with the brain in a way that causes a “high,” CBD works with several important systems to keep the body working smoothly.
CBD has been shown to help:
- Decrease inflammation,
- Heal muscles and reduce spasms,
- Sooth chronic pain,
- Reduce sleeplessness,
- Relax the mind, and
- Cut down on nausea and vomiting.
More and more athletes are using CBD before and after hard workouts to help their bodies relax, recover and rejuvenate.
Which Athletes Are Choosing CBD?
CBD is becoming popular among those in high-impact, high-risk sports such as mixed martial arts, football and triathlons.
Previously CBD was closely associated with THC, and its effects on the body were somewhat mysterious to the general public. Because of this CBD was listed as a “banned” substance for many years by USADA. Athletes speaking out against the ban and researchers bringing light to CBD’s health benefits led to the substance being removed from the USADA ban list at the beginning of 2018.
UFC fighter Nate Diaz was one of the first athletes to publicly use CBD and fight against USADA requirements.
“It helps with the healing process, inflammation, stuff like that. So you want to get these for before and after fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place,” Diaz said after vaping CBD at a 2016 post-fight press conference.
Retired NFL player Leonard Marshall is also an outspoken advocate of CBD use among athletes. After years of concussions led to post-retirement brain damage, Marshall said using CBD improved his memory and helped him control his behavior. He told the press during an interview that he sees CBD as a great alternative to prescription pain and depression medications.
Canadian Olympian Ross Rebagilati nearly lost his gold metal from the 1996 winter Olympics when he tested positive for having a small amount of marijuana in his system. He has advocated for the use of both marijuana and CBD products since.
“CBD is one of the most effective substances for treating inflammatory issues, aches and pains caused by the physical punishment world-class athletes must readily endure to train and compete at a high level,” Rebagilati said during an interview.
Other high-profile athletes who use CBD include mountain biker Teal Stetson-Lee, ultrarunner Avery Collins, triathlon athlete Andrew Talansky, UFC fighter Gina Mazany, CrossFit Athlete Brooke Ence and NFL player Derrick Morgan, among others.
Some athletes have even received endorsements from CBD companies, such as UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway who was endorsed by the brand Pure Spectrum.
What Products Are Athletes Choosing?
CBD is absorbed at different rates and at higher or lower concentrations depending on how it is taken.
Vaping CBD is typically considered the fastest way to take in the substance. When CBD is vaped, it is absorbed directly into the lungs and bloodstream. This means it can take effect in minutes or even seconds depending on the person. When CBD is vaped, between 30 and 40% is absorbed into the body – making it the most effective way to take CBD.
Max Holloway’s sponsors Pure Spectrum offer a wide variety of CBD vape cartridges in several flavors such as lemon, bubble gum and tangerine haze. Depending on the cartridge, some include 100 mg of CBD while others have 150 mg.
CBD can also be taken through tinctures, capsules or edibles such as gummies and brownies. There are even CBD shots on the market made to boost energy before a workout or relax the muscles afterwards.
Tinctures are taken by placing a small amount of oil beneath the tongue where it is held for several seconds before swallowing. Tinctures are absorbed through the mucus membrane in the mouth allowing CBD to hit the bloodstream directly. Tinctures can take effect within 15 minutes and up to 35% of CBD is absorbed.
Edibles and capsules are easy and quick to take. They pass through the digestive system before being absorbed. It takes a little longer for edibles and capsules to be absorbed, but once they are, they can last up to eight hours. Between 6 and 15% of CBD is absorbed by edibles.
When vaping, eating or using a tincture for CBD, the compound is absorbed internally and has several positive effects on both the mind and body. However, CBD can also be taken via a salve, lotion or cream for targeted, topical relief.
Applied topically, CBD can reduce inflammation, alleviate muscle soreness, sooth irritated, itchy skin, alleviate joint pain and act as an antioxidant.
The Science Behind Cannabinoids and Recovery Time
The healing effects cannabinoids such as CBD have on the body have been studied time and again.
Researchers have found that cannabinoids interact with a system within the body called the endocannabinoid system, which is necessary for the body to maintain homeostasis. Cannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors within the endocannabinoid system to improve the body’s recovery process. CB1 receptors are associated with the central nervous system while CB2 receptors work within lateral systems such as the immune system.
When CBD and other cannabinoids are absorbed into the body, they interact with these receptors to reduce inflammation, inhibit cell proliferation, reduce nausea and vomiting, relax muscles to promote healing, reduce the rate of muscle spasms, change the way pain receptors respond to injuries and chronic pain, and help relax the mind for a full night’s sleep.
CBD even travels into other systems to interact with vanilloid pain receptors and serotonin receptors to reduce pain and help those with anxiety and depression.
CBD for a Better Athletic Experience
In summary, CBD can have significant healing effects when taken before, during or after exercising or doing strenuous activities. Major athletes across the United States and the rest of the world have discovered CBD as a healthy, effective, natural alternative to pain killers and prescription drugs.
Click here for a full list of CBD products we specially recommend for athletes.
References
Nagarkatti, P., Pandey, R., Rieder, S. A., Hegde, V. L., & Nagarkatti, M. (2009). Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Medicinal Chemistry, 1(7), 1333–1349. http://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.09.93
Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4), 108–111. http://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/16-005
Zuardi, A.W. (2008). Cannabidiol: from an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with wide spectrum of action. Rev Bras Psiquiatr, 30(3), 271-280. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18833429
Callén, L., Moreno, E., Barroso-Chinea, P., Moreno-Delgado, D., Cortés, A., Mallol, J., … McCormick, P. J. (2012). Cannabinoid Receptors CB1 and CB2Form Functional Heteromers in Brain. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287(25), 20851–20865. http://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.335273
Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain (London, England), 20(6), 936–948. http://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818
Jorge, L. L., Feres, C. C., & Teles, V. E. (2011). Topical preparations for pain relief: efficacy and patient adherence. Journal of Pain Research, 4, 11–24. http://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S9492
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