Cannabidiol (CBD) has garnered widespread recognition worldwide for its powerful therapeutic properties. CBD is now a common ingredient in various sports and fitness supplements.

For you who encounter this term for the first time, CBD is a hemp-derived chemical marketed for its rich medicinal value. The compound has proven effective against numerous ailments, particularly those whose primary symptoms include pain, anxiety, seizures, inflammation, nausea, and insomnia.

But what’s all the fuss about cannabidiol in the sports industry? Read on for everything there is to know about CBD and sports nutrition.

Common CBD Products Used In the Sports Industry

Like other cannabis-based products, such as THC gummies, cannabidiol comes in numerous formulations.

The following are standard CBD formulations you’re likely to encounter in the sports industry;

● Inhalable products, such as CBD concentrates and CBD-containing e-liquids

● Topicals, including CBD salves and ointments

● Edibles, such as CBD chocolates and gummies

● CBD oral tinctures

● CBD oil

● Encapsulated CBD products

Each of these products allows you to enjoy cannabidiol’s immense medicinal properties. Choosing one CBD good over another is purely personal and largely depends on your desired effects. For instance, topical products would be suitable when relieving inflammation on specific muscles or joints.

Reasons Behind CBD’s Use in Sports Nutrition

CBD May Relieve Pain

Fitness buffs and professional athletes struggling with acute or chronic pain can benefit immensely from CBD-infused supplements.

Cannabidiol relieves pain by improving the signaling of the vanilloid receptor.

The vanilloid receptor is an endocannabinoid receptor involved in pain transmission. It’s also known as the capsaicin receptor or the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily-V member 1.

CBD May Treat Inflammation

Joint and muscle inflammations are part and parcel of professional athletics. But without prompt treatment, inflammation can induce workout downtimes or even affect your performance in a high-stakes match.

Cannabidiol is loaded with polyphenols, plant compounds noted for their anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD mainly treats inflammation by inhibiting cytokines, the proteins involved in initiating inflammatory messenger activity.

CBD May Aid Blood Circulation

Efficient blood circulation can enhance athletic performance. More blood flowing throughout the body ensures that all the vital organs, such as the heart, liver, and muscles, receive sufficient nutrients and oxygenated blood. This can go a long way in preventing oxygen deficiency, a phenomenon known to reduce athletic performance.

Cannabidiol is a potent vasodilator. As with any vasodilator, CBD aids blood circulation by expanding constricted blood vessels.

Cannabidiol’s vasodilatory properties can help to improve blood circulation while also reducing the risks of certain cardiovascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis.

CBD May Alleviate DOMS

Delayed onset of muscle soreness, commonly abbreviated as DOMS, is a term for the excruciating pain experienced in muscles and joints 24 – 72 hours after engaging in strenuous workouts. The pain may also be accompanied by tenderness and inflammation.

DOMS generally resolves on its own. However, you can speed up the recovery process using cannabidiol-infused sports supplements. CBD generally treats DOMS by exerting its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties on the affected muscles.

Cannabidiol’s vasodilatory properties may also come in handy for athletes battling DOMS.

An increase in blood flow throughout the body ensures enough supply of oxygenated blood to the inflamed muscles. The mechanism can also help get rid of inflammation by-products, such as lactic acid.

CBD May Improve Your Focus

Poor mental focus is a leading cause of workout-related accidents. It can also affect your odds in a high-stakes game.

Reduced mental concentration may result from a wide spectrum of causes. The most common ones are stress and anxiety.

Administering cannabidiol-infused sports supplements before hitting the gym or the pitch might help to heighten your mental focus. That’s due to the compound’s anti-anxiety benefits.

Studies have established CBD’s inhibitory role on the stress hormone cortisol. This produces antianxiety effects, which translate to optimized mental performance.

CBD May Boost Sleep

Having a good night’s sleep is crucial to athletic performance. After hours of vigorous activities on the pitch or in the gym, your muscles need ample time to repair and recharge for the day ahead. Much of that repair happens during sleep.

Therefore, improving your sleep quality directly translates to better athletic performance.

Cannabidiol is a powerful sedative that can boost your sleep by reducing sleep onset time. CBD can also improve sleep by treating certain causes of insomnia, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Does The Law Say About CBD In Sports Nutrition?

Cannabidiol laws vary across various states and countries worldwide.

In the United States, you can legally use cannabidiol-infused sports supplements provided that the products contain maximum tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 0.3%. THC is the main psychotropic chemical in marijuana.

Note that the prevailing CBD laws in the US may not necessarily apply to your jurisdiction. So, it’s prudent to check your local cannabidiol laws before using any CBD products.

However, the saving grace is that CBD doesn’t appear among the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s list of banned substances. In fact, the agency has explicitly pronounced itself on cannabidiol by claiming that it doesn't prohibit products formulated with pure CBD. Athletes only need to ensure that their CBD-infused supplements are considerably low in THC.

Summary

The place of cannabidiol in sports nutrition cannot be discounted. CBD boasts numerous health benefits that athletes can enjoy.

CBD and Sports Nutrition: Everything You Need to Know