As someone who exercises routinely three to five days per week, alleviating inflammation, recovering quickly and reducing joint pain are equally important. I enjoy working out intuitively, focusing on forms of exercise that best support my current energy level, body composition and seasonal hobbies. I played a variety of sports and participated in different physical activities growing up, and to this day, not much has changed. The importance of consistent movement has carried into my adulthood. Exercise is one of my passions.
Throughout most of my adult life, I have focused on proper nutrition, hydration and rest in order to exercise in a strong, effective way. These three pillars have helped minimize post-workout muscle soreness. But in early 2018, I started incorporating CBD into my exercise routine. I was already using CBD because I felt it helped with my sleep, PMS symptoms, and overall daily well-being, but CBD has also boosted my fitness regime. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp. Although CBD is currently only FDA-approved for the treatment of certain epilepsy disorders, surveys of recreational CBD users show that the compound has made a positive impact on their lives.
The Endocannabinoid System
CBD has become a fundamental part of many health and wellness routines. But before we discuss how CBD impacts workouts, let’s review the endocannabinoid system or ECS. Back in the 1990s, the ECS was discovered when scientists stumbled upon endocannabinoids or cannabis-like molecules that are naturally produced in our bodies. Ultimately, the ECS’s job is to help the human body maintain homeostasis, whether aiding in digestion or modulating inflammatory responses. Research shows that endocannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body — everywhere from our brains to our kidneys.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, meaning your body works harder to keep systems in balance. For the soreness and inflammation that may affect your muscles during and after a workout, CBD could be your new best friend. It’s no surprise that athletes and fitness enthusiasts are turning to CBD. With convenient, advanced water based CBD available, throwing CBD into our gym bags has never been easier.
How Does CBD Impact Exercise?
There are few firm conclusions about CBD’s effects, but according to early experiments, it’s possible that CBD may promote wakefulness. Instead of taking a caffeinated pre-workout supplement, you could try a few CBD drops under the tongue - stamina and steady energy are key for endurance-based workouts. It is recommended that new users start with a low dose CBD and increase the dosage over time, as needed. Too much CBD may hinder exercise motivation.
How Does CBD Alleviate Muscle Pain?
We all know that in order to maintain our exercise routines and build muscle, recovery is crucial. When muscle fibers break down, inflammation occurs. And when exercise-related muscle breakdowns occur, muscles cannot fully be rebuilt until inflammation decreases. The endocannabinoid system is an important player in soothing the body’s natural inflammatory response, so it’s important to do anything we can to support a healthy endocannabinoid system.
Try using CBD after a workout - in a post-workout CBD-infused protein shake, for example - to help your body adapt and recover.
Create your own wellness ritual by trying a few drops of RESET Balance to leverage the natural healing powers of water-based CBD.
Edie Horstman is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, wellness blogger, and freelance writer. She works with health-focused brands, co-creating content in the digital marketing space. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
References:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6043845/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16596788
- https://resetbioscience.com/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023456/
- https://www.uclahealth.org/cannabis/human-endocannabinoid-system
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023456/
- https://health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/2018-05-11/can-cbd-products-improve-your-fitness-results
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685274/
