To be at the top of your game requires proper nutrition, optimal health and overall wellness. Unfortunately, injury is part of it, and getting back out on the playing field is a must.
Recovery after a proper workout and a big night of rest pre game are crucial to peak performance. The natural properties of Cannabidiol can not only help keep you on the court playing at a high level, but get you back out there sooner and in top condition as well. To begin with, cannabinoids already exist in your body. Scientists have identified what they call the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that modulates the activity of neurons. (1)
Many of the things athletes struggle with that severely impact performance are injuries, lack of sleep, and performance stress. As an athlete, I used to experience all of these. When I played, CBD was not around and random drug tests were a thing. The good news is that it’s 2020 and CBD is legal in most parts of the world. The NFL has just announced they won’t be testing for Cannabis use which means CBD is completely in the clear. CBD is also WADA safe and not prohibited for competition in major sports and the olympic games. It doesn't get you high and has many benefits that can help every level of athlete. Cannabidiol and all Inflamade products are THC Free, which is the cannabinoid that gets you high and makes you fail a drug test.
PainÂ
CBD can not only help with strains and cramps, but it can help reduce swelling and soreness. A study published in the journal Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2) shows that CBD can help your body feel better. It promotes flexion and movement in tight muscles (3). It can loosen and take away pain. Before your exercise or therapy, lathering up in CBD cream can help soothe and calm, while priming for peak performance. Afterward, recover with less pain and rest easy. Sore? Try a CBD massage to loosen up tension or stimulate nerve issues.
Ingested, it can help by having calming effects, in addition to pain management.
Check out our other post on naturally reducing inflammation!Â
Sleep / Focus
At night, falling asleep quickly is important to rest and recovery, and waking up refreshed- ready to play. Research studies on CBD also demonstrate that it helps moderate sleep routines for improved sleep quality and duration.(4) We have observed that a serving of 25-50mg of CBD will help most adults fall right asleep, and stay asleep. Everyone is different and experiment as needed. If you didn’t feel any effects, try doubling the dosage for the next time. We all have different target dosages for a desired response to CBD. It doesn’t get you high and also there is no hangover in the morning.
A serving of 5mg in the morning with coffee can be the perfect starter to the day. Clear headed, and focused, you’ll be ready to take on anything with a laser like zen. For most, a 10-15 mg dose should relieve pain symptoms and loosen the joints or a stiff back. Additionally, it has been shown to increase serotonin levels, reducing anxiety and stress (5).
Head injury? CBD has been shown to potentially help with post concussion like symptoms and trauma, improving memory and focus and improving recovery. Alongside a gluten free diet, one can hope to speed up the healing process. I found CBD after suffering my worst concussion yet, and this was a good solution to improve my memory and sleep afterward.
Over time, ingesting CBD daily can reduce pain levels inside the body, helping it heal faster while promoting movement and fluidity throughout the body.
Alternative to Opioids
According to the CDC, in 2016 opioids were involved in more than 42,000 deaths in the US. Opioid pain medications (i.e. morphine, codeine, oxycontin) are highly effective for pain management, but carry a significant risk of addiction and death by overdose. Cannabinoids are not as effective as opioids for relieving acute, high-intensity pain (6) but can be a substitute. We have been working with patients coming off of opioids in addition to prescription sleep medicine.
At the end of the day remember to try different dosages until you find out what works best for you. Chances are that you will find some relief like other athletes!Â
- Pacher, P. “The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging Target of Pharmacotherapy.” Pharmacological Reviews, vol. 58, no. 3, 2006, pp. 389–462., doi:10.1124/pr.58.3.2.
- Burstein S. “Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation.” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 23, no. 7 (April 1, 2015): 1377–1385. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2015.01.059.
- Barnes MP. “Sativex: clinical efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of symptoms of multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain.” Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, vol. 7, no. 5 (April 2006): 607–615. doi:10.1517/14656566.7.5.607.
- Pava MJ et al. “Endocannabinoid signaling regulates sleep stability.” PLoS One. Published online March 31, 2016. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152473.
- Blessing EM et al. “Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders.” Neurotherapeutics, vol. 12, no. 4 (October 2015): 825–836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1.
- Hammell, D.c., et al. “Transdermal Cannabidiol Reduces Inflammation and Pain-Related Behaviours in a Rat Model of Arthritis.” European Journal of Pain, vol. 20, no. 6, 2015, pp. 936–948., doi:10.1002/ejp.818.