We’re seeing CBD ads popping up everywhere these days — from local retail shops to social media to videos streaming at gyms across the country. The media blitz has been fueled partially by the fitness crowd, which has zeroed in on CBD to help manage exercise-related muscle soreness and improve recovery times.
So, should you carry CBD in your gym bag? If so, what kind is effective and conveniently ready-to-go? We’ll dive into specifics below, but if you're curious we offer many gym-bag-ready (or even pocket & purse-worthy) products — such as CBD mints, balms and roll-ons.
CBD may also help speed up recovery after exercise, so you can get back to your regular workout routine faster.
To understand how CBD may help reduce inflammation, relieve muscle soreness and possibly improve your workout, it helps to have a basic understanding of what CBD is — and what it is not.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant. CBD stimulates two specific brain receptors called CB1 and CB2. These receptors, when activated, may reduce inflammation and the perception of muscle soreness.
If you often have a tough time recovering and want to be able to bounce back more quickly, CBD may help.
You will not experience a “high” effect from CBD products because they legally cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive chemical responsible for the mind-altering effects of marijuana.
CBD and Muscle Aches
CBD has the potential to ease several types of discomfort, including muscle soreness or discomfort from injury. If you are a fitness enthusiast, you may experience regular soreness during or after your workouts. It may be related to a past injury, or it could be associated with overexertion. Either way, this could put you out of commission.
Many individuals are taking CBD before exercise to manage soreness, as opposed to traditional over-the-counter medications that may have undesirable side effects. Due to its role in reducing soreness, CBD may be a great addition to your exercise routine.
CBD and Muscle Recovery
If you’ve ever overdone it during a workout, you know it can be an unpleasant experience. It makes you less motivated to workout again the next day if you’re extremely sore. It’s normal to have some discomfort, swelling, and muscle spasms after intense exercise, but CBD may help reduce their severity.
CBD may play a role in reducing discomfort signals to the brain, calming an overactive sensory system through its action on special receptors. As a result, you won’t feel quite as sore after your workout. If you often have a tough time recovering and want to be able to bounce back more quickly, CBD may help.
Forms and Dosing of CBD
CBD comes in many forms, such as lotions, tablets, CBD oils and edibles. How you take it depends on what works best for you and why you’re using it. For example, when using it to relieve sore muscles, you may want to try applying a hemp-infused CBD rub on the affected area.
CBD may enhance your recovery after intense exercise, which can get you back to working out again sooner. If you’d prefer to manage exercise-related discomfort minus the side effects, you came to the right place!
