Training for elite level competition places an enormous amount of stress on athlete’s bodies.  

After a gruelling session, an athlete can suffer from injuries, muscle soreness, trouble sleeping and even mental fatigue. This is why athletes are advised to rest once every few days.  

Being able to train every day can give you an edge over any competition on a rest day. As a result, athletes are always looking for legal means to help them recover as quickly as possible.  

Researchers have recently looked into the efficacy of CBD and it is now recommended to athletes as part of their wellness regime. 

 

What is CBD?

Cannabis and hemp plants are made up of over 100 compounds that each have a different effect on the human body.  

CBD is just one of these compounds. Unlike THC, CBD does not get you high nor have any psychoactive effects. As a result, it is a popular choice for those wanting the medicinal benefits of cannabis whilst being able to continue with their everyday lives. 

Last year, CBD was officially recognised as a medicine by Sajid Javed, the  UK Home Secretary. It is legal to buy and sell CBD in the UK as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.  

Popular forms of CBD in the UK include CBD Vape Juice, tinctures and oil you can apply topically into your muscles. 

 

Why are athletes using CBD?

Speed Up Recovery Time 

Intensive workout causes physical stress and creates microscopic tears in your muscles. Your body’s response is to trigger inflammation which can make your muscles feel very sore; this is referred to as DOMS (Delayed onset of muscles soreness).  

A small amount of DOMS is a good sign that you’ve trained well and you are growing stronger. However, too much soreness can cause more harm than good. 

This is where research suggests CBD can help. Research carried out by multiple scientists demonstrates that CBD is a safe and effective way of limiting inflammation.  

Reduce mental fatigue. 

Athletes know that some of the biggest battles on the playing field happens in the mind. It can be the difference between 1st and 2nd place. 

People suffering from mental fatigue can struggle to exert themselves fully during training sessions and may not perform at their top level on game day. 

An article in MensJournal.com uncovered that those who are stressed take longer to recover and adapt to new work out regimes.  

One of CBD’s most popular applications is limiting stress and anxiety. It can help calm athletes who suffer from anxiety and bring stress down to a manageable level. 

Aids Sleep 

Sleep is an athlete’s best friend.  

When you’re getting some shut-eye your body’s systems slow down which means energy can be diverted to repairing your muscles after a difficult work out session 

Not only can a good night’s rest provide a respite for your body, but it’ll also give you muscles the time and energy they need to grow.  

Research carried out by the University of Sao Paulo confirmed that CBD can help those with sleep disorders get better rest during the night.