Sports science has always been boundary-pushing and willing to embrace new training, nutritional, and rehabilitation methodologies. Recent science and research have had a lot to say about CBD creams and oils, from CBD oil for pain management to regulating sleep and anxiety. CBD binds with endocannabinoid receptors in the body and has been evidenced in various studies to help with pain, sleep irregularities, epilepsy, and emotional regulation.
This is a wide range of applications, but how can sports and CBD oil working hand in hand in your life?
Mental health, CBD oil, and sports
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to sports performance, motivation, and recovery isn’t physical—it’s mental and emotional. Depression, anxiety, or sleep problems can seriously damper an athlete’s performance and willingness to work.
Fortunately, CBD has been found useful for a wide variety of mental health and sleep conditions in a number of studies. Some of these neurological, mental, and emotional regulatory health issues include:
- PTSD
- Generalized anxiety
- Insomnia
- OCD
- Mood disturbances
- Substance use
- Anxiety and depression
- Epilepsy
By regulating underlying mental and emotional health, or by mitigating something as severe as epilepsy, CBD allows athletes and sports enthusiasts to put their energy where it belongs. Instead of being left to wade through mental health issues alone, they can use CBD to help them focus on their performance and the joy of sports.
Inflammation and recovery
CBD doesn’t just help with the mental game. CBD can also be highly effective in pain management. There’s a growing body of science supporting CBD oil for pain management. Let’s look into some of the specific ways this can optimize sports performance.
CBD cream and CBD oil are potentially highly effective in relieving pain and inflammation. Because CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system in the body, it very rarely interferes with other medications and provides a safe, healthy alternative to many pain killers.
This puts less strain on an athlete’s body in the long run and can help sports enthusiasts manage pain, recover more quickly, and enjoy a healthier level of performance.
Additionally, unlike other pain medication, CBD has not been found to be habit-forming and can even help athletes get off addictive pain medication.
CBD and drug tests
For all the many benefits of CBD, some athletes are concerned that CBD oil might make them fail a drug test.
First off, though CBD is a cannabinoid, it is very different from its high-inducing counterpart, THC. Most CBD oil has little to no THC. This eliminates the psychoactive component some might associate with cannabis oil for pain relief and leaves the consumer with a vast range of health benefits instead.
However, FDA regulation is still very much in its early stages, and CBD oil and THC levels are only beginning to be monitored at the federal level. Some suppliers may not be entirely honest or knowledgeable when it comes to THC content in their cannabis oil for pain relief. Buy your CBD cream from a reputable, transparent, and scientifically aware supplier who keeps up with the latest legislation to ensure your CBD product is perfect for you.
Conclusion
CBD oil has many powerful benefits that can better an athlete’s performance and everyday life in many ways. Its mental health benefits can help strengthen an athlete’s motivation, mental stamina, and emotional wellbeing, thereby leaving more room in life to focus on sports. Conversely, CBD can also aid in the physical side of athletic performance. By reducing inflammation, managing pain, and supporting rehabilitation, CBD can work perfectly with traditional sports training methodologies and add new depth to sports science.
