CBD products are in full demand right now and the benefits make it obvious as to why.
With a hot and growing industry continuing to rise, CBD companies have taken full advantage of this new craze that everyone is talking about. A safe and effective way to tackle any unwanted pain, aid in recovery, and assist with many other bodily functions, it’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to CBD. We are always trying to look for the next great product to boost our overall health and fitness lifestyle and CBD fits right into that mold.
While CBD is a substance extracted from the cannabis plant, this has some people on edge for fear of the mind altering effects associated with THC. This is where the difference lies. CBD is a wonderful alternative to an effective sports treatment because it doesn’t have the mind altering effects of THC and is legal in most places. Knowing the difference between CBD and THC and how they work in our bodies is very important to understand so we don’t stunt our overall growth and performance short.
CBD can come in many forms which is a benefit to everyone because its variety allows for your preference or means of consumption to exist. Finding a good quality CBD supplement can be challenging with so many companies right now saturating this incredibly popular market. Looking at labels and reading into certain companies can help narrow down your search as to the best CBD products around.
Check out our list of the top CBD supplements here!
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. Next to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is the second most abundant ingredient in the plant. It is a naturally occurring substance used to promote relaxation and calm and is not psychoactive, unlike its counterpart THC.
THC gives you that euphoric feeling because it works as an activator to the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor, binding to it and activating the reward system to impose those feelings most associated with THC. CBD by contrast is a bad binder when it comes to attaching to the CB1 receptor and won’t induce those traditional “high” feelings. What it can do is either inhibit THC or promote the effects of it by helping with the many benefits it provides (1).
There are a few types of CBD to try, each having their own unique properties but benefiting you all the same. Full spectrum CBD is when it is extracted from the plant but other forms of plant matter remain attached. Cannabinoids have therapeutic properties while terpenes give it a fragrance. Flavonoids have properties like anti-inflammatory aid and neuroprotective ones. This induces the “entourage effect” because you are hit with all these different compounds from the plant.
CBD is another form where a purification process leaves you with almost all pure CBD. This is flavorless and odorless and is often cheaper. You can mix this into anything food or beverage for a versatile form of CBD.
How CBD Works?
CBD works to target the endocannabinoid (eCB) system by binding to receptors that play a role in many bodily functions. The eCB system is an essential body system responsible for bodily homeostasis and maintaining a healthy biological environment in response to those things that happen both internally and externally. This plays a big role in mood, sleep, pain relief, appetite, immune system health, and a host of others. Acting as sort of a bridge between our body and mind, CBD works to internally connect all of our bodily forces at play to work together while tackling external issues when it comes to mental health.
Benefits Of CBD
Aid In Muscle Soreness & Pain Relief
CBD can react with the neurotransmitters of the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and help improve chronic pain (2). That unwanted muscle soreness you feel after a workout can last longer than you would like. This can hinder your next few workouts, but CBD can aid in the healing and recovery process to help you throughout the day and performing at a high level for each and every workout after.
Lower Stress & Anxiety Levels
CBD can act on your brain’s receptors to regulate mood and other forms of social behavior to mimic that of serotonin. This can help make you feel good as well as relaxed, thus working to lower levels of anxiety and stress (3). For athletes leading up to a competition, or just those who want a healthier state of mind, CBD can work wonders for your mental health.
Crush Cravings & Boost Metabolism
CBD works as an appetite suppressant, so you crush those cravings that hit you late at night. It can also help with the regulation of your hormones that deal directly with metabolism. So while you eat less of that junk food with reduced cravings, you will burn more calories and shed some pounds with an increased metabolism. This can give you that shredded athletic physique you desire while improving all aspects of your performance for whatever your respective sport.
Featured CBD Supplement To Boost Athletic Performance
Finding the right CBD product can be challenging but it is absolutely possible with the right approach. Knowing what you are looking for in terms of either topicals, tinctures, or pills can help narrow down your search. One great company, cbdMD, produces amazing CBD products perfect for boosting your athletic performance. Let’s take a look at just one of their great supplements.
cbdMD CBD Recover Tub
Recover is a CBD cream made from soothing herbal ingredients and pain killing medicine to help relieve any muscle soreness and pain. Superior Broad Spectrum hemp extract works with histamine dihydrochloride, to provide temporary relief and increase blood flow, while other ingredients like arnica, aloe vera, and MSM, provide a creamy, moisturizing base. Perfect for sore muscles and joint pain, Recover is a great supplement for you.
cbdMD Recover Tub offers soothing CBD cream with pain killing and herbal ingredients for a warming sensation while providing temporary relief from minor aches and pains.
For more great CBD products, check out cbdMD and browse their great selection.
Check out our list of the Best CBD Supplements for more great pain relieving products!
Wrap Up
CBD is a supplement that has taken the world by storm. Cannabis has long been thought to have these great properties but the fear of a mind altering substance has caused a lot of debate around this plant. With the process of extracting CBD to benefit your overall health and wellness, people everywhere can now reap the benefits of CBD without the unwanted side effects of THC, the mind altering substance in cannabis. From pain relief, to lower levels of stress and anxiety, to increased metabolism and less cravings, this supplement can really work to boost your overall athletic performance to keep you on top of your game. Give CBD a try and set yourself up for the most success you can when it comes to your athletic ability and performance.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Harvard Medical School Health Blog (2018). “Cannabidiol (CBD)- what we know and what we don’t”. (source)
- Boyaji, Shafik; Merkow, Justin; Elman, R. Noel M.; Kaye, Alan D.; Yong, R. J.; Urman, Richard D. (2020). “The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. (source)
- Medical Cannabis Network (2020). “Effects of CBD oil on mental health: anxiety disorders”. (source)