Sports cause soreness, injuries big and small, and a natural need for repair. While there are no one size fits all solutions to the negative effects of athletics, some forms of hemp come pretty close. There are also multiple product types that will help with different ailments. Hemp tinctures are great for building a strong base level of recovery, making them great for long term use and preservation of fitness. Topical gels are great for spot treatment of inflammation, soreness, and general pain. And hemp herb is the quickest way to absorb the benefits of hemp into the body, making it great for immediate pain reduction. Now before you dive into a pool of CBD oil, here’s everything you need to know.
What causes soreness after a workout?
A good workout will leave you feeling it the next day, even if you’re already in shape. Particularly strenuous workouts will leave you sore for multiple days, and can cause some inconveniences in everyday life. Who else dreads going up a flight of stairs after leg day? If you’re wondering what is causing that excruciating pain, it’s due to microscopic tears in the muscle fibers according to the UK’s National Health Service study. Those muscles build up inflammations, which triggers the body to repair the damage, causing the muscle soreness.
Cool. So what exactly is CBD again?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that comes from the leaves, flowers and stalks of hemp or marijuana cannabis. It is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis sativa plants.
I can legally buy CBD?
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial hemp is completely federally legal, however every state has its own laws and unfortunately there are a few states that have a ban on smokable products. While this is unfortunate, the laws are changing at a rapid pace. It is highly recommended to check with the governing authority in your state before purchasing or using any hemp products.
“Broadly speaking, CBD does decrease inflammation when it’s rubbed on muscles as an ointment or taken orally.”
Can CBD really help fight post-workout soreness?
In my personal experience as someone who works out 6 days a week, CBD oil has really helped me alleviate pain and be able to push myself harder in my workouts. I have had some serious injuries I’ve been dealing with like a dislocated shoulder and torn meniscus. The inflammation I get in my shoulder and knee can be debilitating at times, but with daily use of CBD tinctures and topicals, I am good to go.
How should I use CBD for recovery?
Beyond CBD oils and tinctures, CBD is often sold in infused balms, lotions, capsules, edibles, vape pens, and more. Basically, you just need to decide if you’d like to ingest it or rub it on for relief.
Again, you're mostly on your own to determine exactly how much CBD you should take to feel its effects. The dosing guidelines above should give you a good jumping-off point, but CBD is a subjective chemical that reacts differently in everybody. Once you feel the desired effect, though, you won't have to up the dose. Which means if you use CBD oil for recovery, you can just fill the pipette to the same spot every time.
To sum it up, if your doctor says it’s OK and your'e game to try CBD instead of popping traditional anti-inflammatories, go for it. Try it for a few weeks while varying the delivery method and dose to find what works best for you. Who knows? By tomorrow, you could be recovering faster from your workout and have one less excuse to skip leg day.