With the rising health trend of CBD (short for cannabidiol), a growing number of fitness enthusiasts are including CBD in their daily regimen. So if you are looking to improve your workout performance, muscle growth, and recovery, CBD may be just the answer.
WHAT IS CBD?
CBD is a chemical derived from the Cannabis Sativa or Hemp plant. Over 80 chemicals, known as cannabinoids, have been found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, each having different properties and effects.
Most people are familiar with the cannabinoid called THC, known as Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the substance produced by the cannabis plant that causes a euphoric and high feeling. On the other hand, CBD derived from the hemp plant does not contain or act on the same receptors that THC does. In other words, you will not get high from CBD.
BENEFITS OF CBD
- Post Workout Recovery: Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may reduce muscle soreness due to DOM’s (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness). This is the soreness that often lasts for a few days due to a change in a fitness routine or an increase in workout intensity. Rigorous exercise causes micro-tears in the muscle tissue, which leads to muscle growth but can also trigger inflammation. Research shows that CBD might play an essential role in suppressing post-workout inflammation. This leads to faster recovery time and improved workout performance.
- Retain Muscle and Promotes Muscle Growth: CBD may have an anti-catabolic effect, which means it can help reduce muscle breakdown by decreasing catabolic hormones such as cortisol. Cortisol itself is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a stress hormone that liberates fuel for energy, helps suppress inflammation, and is a fight-or-flight hormone. Our bodies need cortisol to survive; the problem lies when cortisol is chronically raised. This is when you start seeing insulin resistance, which may lead to hypertension, sleep disturbances, and muscle loss. CBD may help reduce cortisol levels in your body, allowing for protein synthesis, muscle repair, and regeneration.
- Sleep: According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal health and performance. Sleep is an essential component of health and wellness and the recovery process. In adults of both sexes, muscle-building hormones are secreted within the first few hours of sleep. Without adequate sleep, growth hormone production is compromised, which may keep you from obtaining your fitness goals. Lack of quality sleep is also linked to increased injury in young athletes. Although the direct correlation between sleep deprivation and injury is unclear, a theory is that insufficient sleep impacts proprioception, the body’s ability to sense movement and action. Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may improve the quality of REM sleep by interacting with specific receptors in the brain.
Additional research is still needed to understand the full impact of CBD and fitness; however, early research suggests that there may be a correlation between CBD and improved athletic performance and recovery.
If you are considering taking CBD as a supplement to your workout, please get in touch with your physician to understand the potential side effects, recommended dosing, and possible drug interactions, especially if you are taking prescription medication. You can also take a free online health assessment at medibles.io to receive a complimentary physician-recommended CBD dosing regimen.