Can CBD help with your work out and exercise routine?

Whether you're an everyday gym-goer, once-a-week jogger, or a stone-cold Iron Man in training, you've likely heard a lot of noise right now about CBD working wonders on the pre and post-workout body. But what's the fact and fiction here? Let’s take a deeper look. 

How does CBD work again?

CBD works by binding with the body's natural endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for sustaining balance in various bodily functions, including mood, metabolism, stress, and sleep. This stimulation enables you to handle pain and inflammation better. CBD's role in promoting internal harmony is what makes it just as useful before workouts as after.

How do our muscles work?

Quick biology class lesson: we have over 600 muscles in our bodies; they comprise between a third and a half of our body weight. The way our bodies strengthen muscle is called hypertrophy and it’s a little strange. As you exert energy on the muscles (through say, a hardcore spin class), they become damaged. The body repairs these damaged fibers by fusing them, which increases the size and mass of the muscles, building them stronger than they were before your work out.

Is it legal to use CBD in sports and athletics?

Even at competition-level, CBD gets an okay from the UK and World Anti-Doping agencies. In 2017, the institutions ended CBD prohibition as long as the athlete's urine contains less than 150 nanograms per millilitre of THC when it comes to testing.

What does CBD actually do when exercising?

There is a variety of reasons people use CBD as part of their exercise routines. For many, it doesn't make a difference in the type of sport they're doing - from endurance runners and swimmers to strength trainees and yoga instructors, each activity has its CBD supporters.

 

Aids in muscle relaxation

When we're exercising, discomfort is the body's natural response to stress and exertion (see: how our muscles work). CBD's calming effect stimulates your body to directly target that discomfort, reducing any soreness before exercise (helping you to work out for longer), and limiting it after your workout. As cannabidiol remains in your body for several hours, it continues to provide relief, speeding up your recovery time.

Helps to calm the mind

It's not just the physical benefits - CBD can help keep the mind calm, relaxed, and focused on the task at hand. Even better, instead of being in a state of a euphoric daze when working out, CBD can help you to feel energised and inspired with a heightened sense of readiness, perfect for an intense training session.

Helps you catch those Zzzs

An often overlooked aspect of CBD is how it aids sleep. Rest is a critical part of recovery for both your mind and muscles. A good night sleep enhances muscle recovery and reduces inflammation by raising the blood supply around your body and releasing proteins and growth hormones. Many find it easier to initially fall asleep and reach a deeper level of sleep with CBD use, enabling them to feel refreshed in mind and body come the morning.

How To Use CBD

There are many ways to introduce CBD into your system. The oral option is one of the quickest methods, especially if taken sublingually (or "under the tongue") with a CBD oil. The sublingual method allows you to experience effects quicker, but they don't last as long as CBD in the form of digestibles.