Renditions of “cold therapy” have inundated the internet for years, from cold plunge challenges to ice baths touted by fitness enthusiasts. These frigid practices promise a range of health benefits, including reduced muscle soreness, enhanced recovery and even improved mental clarity.
Interestingly, cold therapy benefits parallel many of the potential benefits touted by CBD, too.
That said, is there any benefit to incorporating CBD into your cold therapy practice? Let’s explore.
Diving into Cold Therapy
Despite its trendiness, cold therapy — often referred to as cryotherapy — isn't a new phenomenon.
Think about when you sprained your ankle as a kid. As your ankle swelled, it’s likely your doctor prescribed a practice called R.I.C.E — raise, ice, compression and elevation. Cold therapy, of course, is the “ice.”
Applying ice to sore or swollen muscles can help to:
- Lower skin temperature, reducing swelling
- Decrease nerve activity, reducing sensitivity
- Alleviate discomfort
Following an injury or intense workout, your muscles require ample time to recover. After strenuous exercise, muscle fibers can tear on a microscopic level, causing discomfort and swelling. While this process can be uncomfortable, it’s also necessary for muscle growth. As the body repairs these tears, the muscles become stronger.
However, without proper recovery, these tears can result in excessive soreness, reduced performance and an increased risk of injury. As such, implementing effective recovery strategies — and potentially combining the effects of cold therapy and CBD — is crucial to support muscle healing.
The Combined Advantages of Cold Therapy and CBD
The potential benefits of cold immersion therapy and CBD are synonymous, helping to ease muscle discomfort and promote post-exercise recovery.
#1 Ease Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness, particularly after intense workouts, isn’t uncommon among athletes and gym-goers. As stated, cold physical therapy is a well-established method for alleviating this discomfort, whether it be in the form of cold showers, ice baths, or a simple ice pack.
More specifically, cold therapy helps constrict the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the affected areas. As a result, swelling and sensitivity decreases.
In a similar manner, CBD forpain relief works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Whether consumed or applied topically, CBD can mimic the body’s naturally occurring cannabinoids and trigger receptors within the immune system to reduce swelling. It may also interact with receptors in the brain to lessen the impact of muscle soreness.
When combined, CBD and cold therapy may help individuals bounce back more quickly from strenuous activities, enabling them to continue their fitness journeys without prolonged interruptions due to discomfort.
#2 Support Muscle Recovery
Although it may be tempting to go hard every day at the gym, muscle recovery is absolutely critical to your progress and safety.
Cold therapy in the form of cold showering, cold water swimming or any other preferred method can help facilitate faster recovery times by improving circulation and delivering oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. As a result, metabolic waste is flushed out and swelling can lessen, speeding up the healing process.
In conjunction, CBD may help reduce swelling, relax stiff muscles and lessen feelings of discomfort.
#3 Improve Mental Clarity
CBD and cold therapy benefits extend beyond physical therapy, positively influencing mental clarity and cognitive function, too.
Specifically, cold treatments have been shown to invigorate the mind, inciting a cold shock response that enhances focus and alertness. The shock of cold exposure triggers the release of endorphins and adrenaline, which can lead to heightened energy levels and improved mood.
Similarly, CBD is known for its calming effects, reducing worry and stress while promoting an overall sense of well-being, thanks to its interaction with the central nervous system.
When combined, these two may create a balanced approach to mental clarity. Ice or cold water immersion provides a quick mental boost, while CBD helps maintain calmness and focus. This synergy is particularly beneficial for those who engage in high-intensity workouts or competitive sports, where mental acuity is just as important as physical performance.
#4 Support Better Sleep
Quality sleep is vital for optimal recovery.
Fortunately, cold immersion can promote better sleep by lowering the body’s core temperature, which signals to the body that it’s time to rest. This cooling effect can help individuals fall asleep more easily and improve sleep quality throughout the night.
Additionally, CBD has gained recognition for its potential to enhance sleep, too. It may be able to lessen feelings of stress and worry, which can often interfere with a restful slumber.
By combining cold therapy with CBD, individuals may benefit from a relaxed mind and body. Additionally, both can help lessen physical discomfort, which may also make it more difficult to stay comfortable and remain asleep.
Whether used in conjunction with a pre-bedtime routine or as part of a recovery regimen, this powerful duo can act as natural sleep remedies and help ensure that you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle your workout.
#5 Support Immune Health
Both cold treatment and CBD may play vital roles in supporting immune health.
Cold exposure has been shown to stimulate the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells, which help the body fight off harmful invaders. This immune boost is particularly beneficial during colder months or when the body is under physical stress.
On the other hand, CBD can act as a natural immune booster, as it has demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory properties that can help regulate immune responses. By regulating the activity of immune cells, CBD may aid in reducing swelling and supporting a balanced immune system.
Achieve Combined Benefits With Zebra CBD
Whether you’re a high-performing athlete or simply a lover of an active style, your recovery routine is just as important as your workout routine. Proper recovery practices can help ease soreness and swelling and promote the healing and strengthening of your muscles.
From ice baths and cold plunging to classic cold showers, combining cold therapy with CBD may help to achieve a well-rounded, faster recovery.
For premium, natural CBD that you can integrate confidently into your health and wellness routine, there is Zebra CBD. Each of our CBD products is meticulously formulated with high-quality hemp extract and rigorously tested by third-party laboratories to ensure safety, potency and consistency.
To ease muscle and joint soreness, we offer CBD topicals, including CBD balms, CBD rubs and CBD roll-ons for targeted relief. To ease your mind and body, we also offer premium hemp pills and CBD gummies for sale, formulated to support sleep and mood.
Recover the right way with Zebra CBD.
Sources:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Cryotherapy Cold Therapy. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cryotherapy-cold-therapy-for-pain-management
- UC Health. 6 Cold Shower Benefits. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/6-cold-shower-benefits-consider
- Stanford University. Jumping Into the Ice Bath Trend. https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/05/22/jumping-into-the-ice-bath-trend-mental-health-benefits-of-cold-water-immersion/
- Healthline. Endocannabinoid System. https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system
