THE REWARDING BENEFITS OF CBD FOR ATHLETES

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Originally Posted On: https://www.impactsports.uk/the-rewarding-benefits-of-cbd-for-athletes/

 

It’s no secret that CBD sales are making waves within the UK. In fact, sales increased over 100% since 2019, and are now up to over £690 million as of 2021.

Well, almost anybody can benefit from trying these natural products, and there’s one industry that’s been using them more and more. Let’s talk about CBD for athletes.

Benefits of CBD for Athletes

For those looking to gain a natural edge over their athletic opponents, CBD has become very popular in recent years for having such a wide array of health benefits, far beyond most natural medicines. Well, more and more sports are adopting its use into their routines, and here are just a few examples of the major benefits of these products.

Reduces Stress

When you are competing in any sport, it comes with a certain amount of pressure to perform, whether it is self-induced or induced by a team or coach. Reducing your stress levels will help you perform better, recover more quickly, and keep your body in top physical shape.

Science also suggests that CBD can even help with reversing some of the adverse effects of stress on your brain, which will only lead to a longer and higher-quality life.

Having excess levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your blood has many negative effects on your body, especially when it comes to muscle soreness, tension, and recovery. CBD is known to help reduce stress and anxiety levels when taken properly, so it may be worth a try!

Improves Sleep

Whether you’re a bodybuilder or you play golf, sleep is equally important to your performance. Achieving proper sleeping habits allows you to maintain high levels of alertness, increase your focus, and perform better on nearly everything.

Not only that, but sleep is also when your body makes repairs. If your sport requires muscle growth, strength, or speed, then sleep is a critical time for your body to make the necessary adaptations to your neuromuscular system.

CBD helps promote proper levels of sleep by easing stress and anxiety levels, easing discomfort throughout your body, and achieving more restful sleep. Taking a dose between a half-hour and an hour before bedtime and limiting the amount of screen usage is the best way to get the most out of your nightly routine.

Reduces Inflammation

If you suffer from chronic pain or discomfort as an athlete, it is likely due to high levels of muscle soreness or inflammation. CBD is a known anti-inflammatory and is often used to aid with muscle soreness.

Many CBD products come in the form of topical creams that you can use to isolate the affected area. For example, a squash player may develop a sore wrist and begin worrying about carpal tunnel. Applying a CBD cream to the wrist on a regular basis will help reduce that inflammation and possibly allow the athlete to continue playing for longer.

Improving Mood

Cognition and mood are important factors in athletic performance. If you aren’t in the right mindset when training for a sport, then you won’t be training at optimal levels. A negative mindset will also lead to higher levels of cortisol, possible sleep disorders, and more.

CBD’s key benefits will ultimately lead to better performance and higher concentration during practice or performance.

Aid in Digestive Health

No athlete is complete without a proper diet, and no diet is complete without proper digestion. If you eat proper foods every day but the important nutrients are going to waste, then you may as well have eaten junk food.

The microorganisms that live in your gut are very important to your immune, digestive, and overall health. Eating a high-quality diet is very important to promoting proper gut health, but CBD has actually been used to treat inflammatory disorders along the digestive tract, allowing these “good bacteria’s ” to flourish.

This will have a direct impact on athletic performance, as proper digestion of nutrients is essential to competing in any sport.

Lowering Blood Pressure

CBD helps with lowering resting blood pressure, which helps reduce stress, aid in recovery, and promote overall health and performance. There may also be potential benefits to blood sugar levels.

Evidence is not conclusive yet, although many researchers have indicated a positive impact on blood sugar regulation among those who use CBD. While this is contested, if it does have an effect, then this will also have tremendous effects on your metabolism and overall health.

How to Use CBD for Athletics  Performance

Now that you know some of the key benefits of using CBD for athletics, let’s talk about choosing the right CBD products. Because they are so popular, there are almost too many CBD products to choose from. Well, we can make it a little easier for athletes. Here’s what to look for.

Avoid Inhalants

This may seem obvious, but lungs tend to be an important bodily feature in the world of athleticism. Well, they are only meant to breathe in the air. Even if an inhalant product is marketed as being completely safe for your lungs, or even if other athletes swear by a product, it’s still best to avoid these types of products.

This includes “CBD flower” that you are supposed to smoke, vape liquids, and any other type of inhalant. If you rely on your lungs for your athletic performance, find a product that won’t involve your lungs at all.

Determine Your Needs

If you sleep 9 hours a night, completely uninterrupted, and you wake up every morning excited to go to practice, then you probably don’t need a mood-booster or a sleep aid. However, if you have chronic knee pain or tension in your bicep, then you may benefit from a topical cream to treat a more specific area.

Run a small trial with yourself and see how it works. Pay attention to how you are feeling throughout the day, for one whole week, and if you notice anything that needs improvement, mentally or physically, then it will be easier to determine the product that works best for you.

After that, try out the product you think will work best for your needs and see how it works. If it helps with your problem, then congratulations. You’ve found a safe and natural remedy to your issues that won’t hinder your athletic performance the way that prescription drugs may.

Determine the Right Dose

The correct amount will depend on a number of different factors, including your age, weight, desired strength, and the reason you are using the product. Take a look at a CBD dosage chart for a better understanding, but remember that it’s entirely safe to experiment with dosages and see what works for you.

Purchasing a tincture of CBD oil to start will be the best option for controlling the dosage and determining your needs, as you can start with a small dosage and gradually increase to determine your need. If you use capsules or edibles, you can always cut or combine them, although a tincture will offer you the best control.

Try Different Products

Different people may enjoy different products for different goals they are trying to achieve. As an athlete, you may want to use a tincture, topical cream, or even CBD edibles like lozenges or gummies. You may also need a higher dosage than the average user.

If you get the right dose and try out some different products, it will be easier to find one that really works for you, which can have lasting health and performance benefits for you and your sport.

Use At The Right Time

If you are using CBD as a sleep aid, you will want to use it before bed. If you want to use it as a mood-booster, use it as part of your morning routine. If you need it for athletic recovery, use a topical cream or take a dose after you complete your hard work. Timing your dosage correctly is an important part to maximize the effects of each product.

Try a CBD Product Today!

Now that you know some of the best benefits of CBD for athletes, there’s no time like the present to get started. Remember, it’s a natural solution to many common problems for athletes, and there’s little to no risk in trying it out. Stay up to date with our latest product news and check out our best CBD oil products today!

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