{"id":22087,"date":"2021-07-26T14:42:41","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T12:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hempika.com\/?p=22087"},"modified":"2024-12-18T13:16:38","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:16:38","slug":"cbd-for-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hempika.com\/en\/cbd-for-athletes\/","title":{"rendered":"CBD for athletes: 8 professionals who openly talk about CBD"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re here to dive into everything related to CBD for athletes<\/strong>, answering questions around CBD\u2019s effects, benefits, products<\/strong>, and looking at athletes that are endorsing CBD<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Studies show that CBD could help athletes manage pain, aid sleep, gut health, inflammation, anxiety, muscle regeneration, guard the brain against injury, and heal bone fractures (and the list goes on).<\/strong><\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re an athlete or just into your sport, what are you waiting for?<\/strong> Now\u2019s your chance to find out more.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What is CBD?<\/h2>\n

CBD refers to cannabidiol<\/a>, a natural compound that can be extracted from hemp and cannabis plants.<\/p>\n

Our bodies have natural receptors that interact with a number of these chemicals through our endocannabinoid system.<\/p>\n

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that works with the body to bring a bounty of beneficial effects. It is most commonly taken by CBD oils, vapes, creams, and edibles.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Is CBD legal for athletes?<\/h2>\n

With so much confusion around THC and CBD, \u201cis CBD oil legal for athletes?\u201d<\/strong> is a common question. Unlike THC, CBD is not on the World Doping Agency\u2019s (WADA) prohibited list<\/a> and has been accepted since 2018.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note products containing high levels of THC<\/strong>, which activates the psychoactive receptors of the brain, are still classed as prohibited<\/strong> by many agencies.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Why do athletes use CBD?<\/h2>\n

Athletes are hit by huge amounts of physical and mental stress which have been treated by over-the-counter meds for years.<\/p>\n

These medications, in particular opiates, are known for their dangerous side effects<\/strong> which include addiction and risk of accidental overdose.<\/p>\n

Now professionals are asking \u201cis CBD safe for athletes?\u201d to help move away from dangerous drugs, as CBD offers the natural alternative set to shift entire industries.<\/p>\n

Ryan VandenBussche is a retired NHL pro who gives a first-hand account of this.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Men\u2019s Health, he says he doesn\u2019t know how he survived the continued use of opiates and anti-anxiety meds prescribed after suffering his injuries and is now an advocate for natural CBD products<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A WHO report found that CBD does not have these addictive tendencies<\/strong>, and there is no evidence for CBD causing any health-related problems.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The top 6 benefits of CBD for athletes<\/h2>\n

Is CBD good for athletes?<\/strong> The uses of CBD for athlete recovery are some of the biggest hitting the headlines, but from mental to physical health, there are many benefits of CBD products.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of the main benefits of CBD for athletes are:<\/p>\n

#1 Reduced pain\/inflammation<\/h3>\n

You can reduce inflammation<\/a> after a hard workout with CBD products thanks to the body\u2019s natural endocannabinoid system, which attaches to CBD chemicals and helps relax your immune response after intense exercise.<\/p>\n

Reduced inflammation also gives pain-relieving effects to problems associated with tissue damage and neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage.<\/p>\n

#2 Gut health<\/h3>\n

CBD can reduce tissue damage in the stomach and restore permeability of the intestine. This can aid gastrointestinal issues that reduce oxygen and nutrient intake in the body, as well as alleviate nausea related to this type of stomach problem.<\/p>\n

#3 Neuroprotective properties help protect against brain injuries<\/h3>\n

For high-impact sports such as rugby, American football, and UFC, CBD can act as extra protection for the brain.<\/p>\n

A study found the use of CBD oil for athletes could have neuroprotective qualities that can counteract the harm following sports-related concussion and the resulting symptoms that come from these head injuries.<\/p>\n

#4 Regeneration, anxiety & sleep<\/h3>\n

More than just physical benefits, there are continued reports of CBD helping anxiety. Experts think this is because of the way it affects limbic and paralimbic parts of the brain.<\/p>\n

CBD can help athletic performance thanks to this calm mental mindset, as well as being great for sports recovery by improving sleep and giving faster regeneration after exercise.<\/p>\n

Better sleep is also possible because CBD binds with receptors that influence how sleepy you feel, and CBD could speed up this process.<\/p>\n

#5 Heart health and lower blood pressure<\/h3>\n

As stress is known to impact heart health, linking to point 4, less anxiety could also lead to a reduced risk of hypertensive heart disease from lower blood pressure.<\/p>\n

#6 Bone Health<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s possible CBD can help heal fractures, as well as improving overall bone disposition as early studies show our endocannabinoid system plays a role in bone remodelling.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What the science says about CBD for athletes<\/h2>\n

The science on CBD is growing, but the evidence on the benefits of CBD for athletes is already out there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As mentioned, the WHO report shows CBD as a great, non-harmful natural alternative to many drugs.<\/p>\n

Studies by The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Pharmacological Research, and Sports Medicine Open all back the claims mentioned above.<\/p>\n

One of the most recent of these was on bone health, which found CBD enhanced the strength and toughness of bones through osteoblastic bone formation, as well as by enzymes catalyzing collagen crosslinking.<\/p>\n

These studies are at the cutting edge of our understanding, and CBD is opening new doors to a more natural route for the recovery of athletes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the research takes off, it\u2019s only a matter of time before more studies roll in to prove the effects athletes (and customers!) are so keen to talk about.<\/p>\n

<\/span>8 athletes who use CBD<\/h2>\n

From Olympic athletes to retired legends, professionals using CBD can be found in every field.<\/strong> Here are just 8 insights on who, and why they use CBD:<\/p>\n

Eddie Hall<\/h3>\n

The World\u2019s Strongest Man, Eddie Hall, is a known advocate for CBD products and uses them in his daily routine. Lifting ludicrous weights, he also holds the official deadlift world record at 536 kg (1,181 pounds).<\/p>\n

Hall takes CBD gummies, twice daily, saying that the CBD helps him relax and improves his whole recovery process.<\/p>\n