CBD and Exercise, the surprising effects of CBD

When it comes to exercise you could say there are two kinds of people: those who love it and those who hate it. When it comes to CBD, however, the science is showing that the natural supplement’s benefits extend far beyond just relaxation or easing pain. So even if your preference in activity is sports rather than sitting on the sofa eating pizza and ice cream, read on to see the surprising ways CBD can help you reach your fitness goals.  What is CBDCBD (cannabidiol) is a natural component of the hemp plant. Together with another cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they are the most abundant of the many phytocannabinoids known today. Unlike THC however, CBD does not get you ‘high’, it doesn’t make you feel drowsy and if anything it should be used to improve your mental focus.CBD oil can be used directly in lotion or oil form. It is taken as a tincture (liquid solution) or spray and can also be vaporized by heating without the need for burning (but of course, smoking anything is never the best way for you).So let’s see how CBD could help you achieve your fitness goals.  

CBD reduces pain and inflammation

If you are used to exercising regularly, then you will be no stranger to the occasional ache or muscle pain that can result from overdoing it or sustaining an injury. Whilst this can be a positive sign of pushing yourself to your limits, it also means you might be less inclined to work out at all.Fortunately CBD may help reduce some of these aches and pains by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals from peripheral nerves in your body to your brain, effectively reducing your perception of pain. It does this by activating our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for regulating our response to pain.CBD oil has also been shown in clinical trials to reduce inflammation, which is another common complaint in active people. Inflammation caused by increased blood flow to muscles during exercise can lead to soreness and tightness. CBD again helps here by blocking the enzyme FAAH that is responsible for controlling our body’s response to inflammation.  

CBD helps you exercise longer and harder

You will undoubtedly have heard that the best way to burn fat is through regular aerobic activity, ideally in intervals of around 10 minutes with short rest periods in between. Whilst this may be true for general weight loss or toning up, it’s not necessarily an effective way to build muscle mass.Now here’s where CBD can help you. First of all it will work to reduce your perception of pain and also help you relax, so that the anxiety that is often associated with exercise can be relieved. More importantly though, CBD has been shown to improve exercise endurance by blocking the uptake of adenosine in our cells. Adenosine acts to make us feel fatigued and plays a major role in limiting your performance.So if you are working out to build up your stamina for an event like a marathon, then CBD can help counteract the fatigue factor that is associated with high intensity workouts. By eliminating this feeling of exhaustion you will be able to go the extra mile (or kilometre!) to get that lean physique you want.CBD will also improve your exercise performance by reducing inflammation and pain associated with high intensity training, so if you are keen to increase your strength as well as endurance then CBD could be your ally in this cause too.  

CBD can help you focus and relax

So you have decided to take up a new sport. You’ve recently seen an advert for personal training sessions at your local gym or fitness centre, so you decide to give it a try. Being in a more natural environment with lots of other upbeat, positive people can be great if you are looking for motivation – but all that social interaction can slow you down if you are trying to complete a timed circuit.CBD has been shown in clinical trials to not only reduce anxiety but also help to improve your learning and memory. This is especially important in sport, where we need to perfect the motions required for our chosen activity. By relaxing your mind you will be able to focus better on your performance. In addition, CBD is non-toxic and non-addictive so will not cause any negative side effects. So if you are looking to take your fitness training to the next level then CBD could help you achieve it.  

CBD can make exercise more enjoyable

Here is another analogy. You’ve decided to sign up for a gym membership. You’re looking forward to the varied and exciting range of activities on offer, but as you drag yourself out of bed early in the morning or when it’s starting to get dark outside, your commitment starts to wane.CBD has been shown to help counter feelings of depression and fatigue which can affect people with low motivation levels. So by taking CBD oil you can help yourself to get out of bed and enjoy exercise, even when you are tired or feeling down.If exercise is really a chore for you then consider trying CBD edibles if your gym offers cooking classes or use a spray before going to the gym with your friends – this way you will be able to relax and hopefully enjoy the exercise.  

CBD can help you recover from exercise more quickly

If exercise is enjoyable then you will be keen to do it regularly, but if you are sore or stiff after a workout then this will make exercising difficult for at least 24 hours. In addition, some people experience swelling of their joints or muscle soreness which they describe as feeling like a bad ‘knot’ in their muscles.CBD is thought to work on our CB2 receptors, which are responsible for reducing inflammation. By using CBD before and after exercise you may be able to reduce some of this swelling – so you will feel more comfortable and be able to get back to exercising sooner. This also means you will be able to achieve your specific fitness goals faster too.  

CBD can make it easier to sleep

A good night’s rest is essential for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. But if you are a fitness enthusiast with lots of energy then getting sufficient shut-eye while your body recovers from exercise can be difficult. When we don’t sleep well our metabolism slows down, meaning the calories we consume are less efficiently turned into energy. This is a recipe for weight gain, which is the last thing we want if we are trying to get fit!CBD has been shown in clinical trials to improve sleep quality by decreasing insomnia and promoting relaxation of the mind. Research suggests that CBD could also help with feelings of depression, anxiety and pain.By using CBD following exercise and at night, you can get the right balance of relaxation and rest. This will help you to feel great and start exercising again tomorrow with a spring in your step!There you have it. Enjoy your way to fitness with CBD benefits with an array of CBD products and different options to explore.