CBD is being used by athletes throughout the world and the results are intriguing. Elite athletes exert tremendous mental and physical effort to reach the pinnacle of their sport and CBD is helping them obtain their objectives.
There is no shortage of professional athletes who extol the benefits of CBD: PGA star Bubba Watson claims that CBD is how he creates longevity in the game of golf. Tennis star John Isner claims it helps him reach and maintain peak performance. Former New York Giant Tiki Barber was so sold on the benefits of CBD that he started his own CBD Company.
In the 2020 research study conducted by McCarthy, D. et. al. “Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: A Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research,” the researchers highlighted that “CBD has been reported to exert a number of physiological, biochemical, and psychological effects that have the potential to benefit athletes.”
This research study suggests CBD may have the following benefits for athletes:
Pain Relief – Athletes put their bodies through demanding physical stress. Seven days of training per week, strength training, and agility training contribute to the breakdown of muscles and produce frequent muscle soreness. Many athletes find CBD helps them recover quicker from strenuous workouts by reducing muscle pain.
Stress Management – Pressure and mental stress take a toll on the whole body leading to illness and delayed recovery. Worrying about recovery and missed training sessions causes athletes anxiety. Competitions add to the stress level of athletes affecting their performance. CBD enables the body to recover, repair quicker, reduce mental stress and lead to more effective training and competitive performances. CBD also has been shown to produce a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Strengthened Immune System – Vigorous repetitive exercise and intense training can inhibit the body’s ability to fight off sickness increase the risk of contracting colds and flu viruses. CBD has shown promise in strengthening the immune system so that the body is more resistant to illnesses and infections. With a stronger immune system, athletes are capable of maintaining consistent, high-level workout routines.
Inflammation Reduction – Athletes experience an inflammatory response as an after-effect from strenuous workouts. Even minor inflammation can prevent athletes from training at their peak on a consistent basis. These inflammations can prevent athletes from continuing with their training schedule. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, suppressing the inflammatory response, which can help prevent minor injuries, and maintain range of motion.
Increased Muscle Mass – Stronger muscles and strength improve an athlete’s performance. CBD may help athletes build muscle faster due to the body’s ability to recover quicker and reduce inflammation.
In conclusion, athletes experience tremendous physical and mental stress due to intense workout loads and competition.
CBD may very well be a beneficial supplement for athletes to train and perform on a consistent basis over the course of a long, strenuous competitive season.