Both former and current professional athletes in many sports including Lamar Odom, Megan Rapinoe, and Rob Gronkowski, among others have endorsed the use of cannabidiol, which is commonly referred to as CBD.
CBD is just 1 of the over 100 different cannabinoids that are naturally-occurring in the cannabis plant. While research on CBD might be limited, it shows promise in treating several conditions associated with athletic competition, such as muscle soreness, inflammation, and joint pain.
CBD has many of the same potential benefits of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but without its psychoactive effects. Based on what we currently know, here are some of the reasons why athletes throughout the sporting world are getting into CBD and some of the things you should know about it.
Non-Psychoactive Pain Treatment
According to the available research, CBD shows great promise in helping reduce inflammation and reduce pain, which could be useful for athletes taking part in intense exercise. THC can also be used for treating pain, but it can cause unwanted side effects and may inhibit athletic performance.
A study conducted in 2004 on lab rats suggests that while THC might impair short-term memory, CBD does not seem to have the same effect.
A 2018 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) also indicates that CBD does not appear to have the potential for dependence or misuses unlike other substances used to relieve pain such as opioids and THC.
In fact, according to some research, CBD could be used for treating opioid addiction and addiction to other substances that carry risks of dependence.
Still, there’s some controversy in medical circles over the “non-psychoactive” label given to CBD because it technically acts on the same cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain as THC. However, since it doesn’t work in the same way on those receptors, its effects are usually different and it won’t make you get high.
Side Effects
CBD users sometimes experience side effects, but they are relatively limited. According to 2017 research, here are some of the most common side effects of using CBD:
– Appetite Changes
– Weight Changes
– Diarrhea
– Fatigue
Legality for Athletic Events
CBD was removed from the list of prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2018. Still, THC use is still prohibited by most major athletic organizations and sports leagues, with the recent exception of Major League Baseball.
Taking CBD should not make you test positive for THC, particularly after using CBD isolate rather than full-spectrum products.
Unfortunately, there have still been some reports of people testing positive for THC after taking CBD, but this depends on the type of test that was used. The risk is higher if you take CBD from an unreliable source, because it could be mislabeled or contaminated.
If you are an athlete that’s to be tested for drugs, you may consider not taking CBD. If you decide to take it, read product labels carefully and do proper research to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product.
What Else Do I Need to Know Before Trying CBD?
CBD might only have relatively mild side effects and natural origins, but it is still advisable to seek medical advice prior to trying it. This is particularly true if you are taking other medication or have a medical condition.
CBD may interact with certain medications, altering the way the body breaks down those medications. This is particularly true of drugs processed by the liver.
If you are a new user of CBD, start with a low dose and avoid using it prior to a workout or athletic competition. Once you have grown comfortable with its effects, you can start using higher doses and even consider taking it both prior to or during physical activity.
You can even experiment with various ways to apply and consume CBD. Besides the common capsules and tinctures, there are also CBD muscle balms, pre-workout drinks, and coffees.
Topical CBD is believed to offer similar benefits to other ingestion methods. According to a recent study published in an Italian medical journal, CBD balms could also treat psoriasis and scars.
Takeaway
There are still many unknowns about CBD. Both former and current professional athletes in many sports including Lamar Odom, Megan Rapinoe, and Rob Gronkowski, among others have endorsed the use of cannabidiol, which is commonly referred to as CBD.
CBD is just 1 of the over 100 different cannabinoids that are naturally-occurring in the cannabis plant. While research on CBD might be limited, it shows promise in treating several conditions associated with athletic competition, such as muscle soreness, inflammation, and joint pain. Many choose vaporisers, click here for 15% off these units.
CBD has many of the same potential benefits of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but without its psychoactive effects. Based on what we currently know, here are some of the reasons why athletes throughout the sporting world are getting into CBD and some of the things you should know about it.
