CBD in Sports: What Athletes Should Know About CBD

Professional athletes put a considerable amount of stress on their bodies. Intensive training schedules and the physical demands of competition often cause tired, aching muscles, stiff, painful joints, and a significant amount of soreness and inflammation.

Since training and post-workout recovery are essential to career success, an increasing number of professional athletes are incorporating hemp-derived CBD into their daily routine. Knowing some of the many reasons professional athletes are turning to CBD could help you decide if CBD might also be beneficial for you.

Is CBD Legal in Sports?

The legality of CBD for professional athletes depends on the sport. While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed cannabidiol from their list of banned substances, acceptance is not universal. Some leagues allow players to use CBD (and even THC) while others do not. It’s been reported that what most sports organizations seem to have in common is concern about players testing positive for THC.¹

How Does CBD Work?

CBD is the commonly used scientific abbreviation for cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis. CBD works by mimicking the effects of neurotransmitters made in your body and interacting with the receptors of the largest regulatory system in your body, your Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

To better understand how CBD could be beneficial for athletic training and recovery, it’s helpful to know how your ECS works and how cannabinoids keep essential systems functioning efficiently. Here’s a brief explanation:

The Endocannabinoid System

Your Endocannabinoid System regulates nearly every essential function in your body. ECS signaling influences your immune system, muscle function, emotional responses, pain perception, and more.

Many researchers believe the ECS regulates the processes of homeostasis², the critical internal balance that all living organisms need to survive.³

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are the chemical messengers of your Endocannabinoid System. Your body is wired to respond to two types of cannabinoids, those made in your body (endocannabinoids) and those found in cannabis (phytocannabinoids). The cannabinoids made in your body are synthesized on demand and quickly broken down by metabolic enzymes. CBD works by mimicking the effects of the cannabinoids made in your body and interacting with the receptors of your ECS.

When Should Athletes Take CBD?

CBD can be used before, during, or after your workout. Many professional athletes use multiple CBD products, alternating or combining them as needed. For example, an athlete might start their day with a CBD tincture, use a topical after working out, and a nighttime gummy to promote restful sleep. There is no reason to worry about combining CBD products.

4 Tips on CBD Dosage for Athletes

The CBD dosage that works for you will depend on the type of product you are using, product potency, and the way your body responds to CBD. A dosage that works well for someone else could be significantly more or less than you need. To determine the dosage that’s best for you, consider the following suggestions:

• #1 Start with a Small Serving Size

  Your goal should be to determine the smallest amount of CBD you can use for maximum benefits. You can do this by starting with a small serving, anywhere from 2-30mg, and work from there. That means you might begin with a few drops of a tincture or half a CBD gummy to test the waters.

• #2 Keep Track of How CBD Affects You

  Many first-time CBD users find it helpful to keep a written log of their experience. You might start by making a list of the effects you’re looking for and track any changes to how you feel throughout the day. You can also use your journal to track dosages so you can make adjustments based on your observations.

• #3 Don’t Be Afraid to Increase Your Serving

  If you don’t experience the effects you were hoping for, don’t be afraid to increase your serving size. But keep in mind that it can take days or weeks to experience the full effects. Some people choose to increase their amount of CBD with every serving until they are pleased with the results, while others decide to give their current serving size a week or more before making changes. It’s your call.

• #4 Test Small Increases

  Since everyone responds to CBD differently, the trick to finding your ideal serving size is to make changes in small increments. For example, if you start with 15mg of a CBD tincture, you could easily try 30mg at the next dose, but your ideal might be 20mg. If you progress too quickly, you might never know that 20mg works just as well.

CBD Products and Packs for Athletes

While the reasons a professional athlete might have stiff joints, aching muscles, or difficulty sleeping might be different than yours, their careers depend on their ability to rest and recover. If you are looking for a safe, natural product to help with concerns often shared by professional athletes, you may want to consider one of the following products:

• CBDol Topical Salve

  When the effects of a strenuous workout threaten to keep you on the sidelines, consider the potential of CBDistillery’s™ CBDol Topical CBD Salve. CBDol combines 500 mg of full spectrum hemp extract with the therapeutic potential of eucalyptus, wintergreen, arnica, and lavender. You can use CBDol before, after, or during your workout, or anytime you are looking for targeted results.

• CBD Nighttime Gummies

  Whether you experience sleep disruptions caused by lingering stress or changes in your routine, CBDistillery™ Nighttime Gummies could help you fall asleep faster and sleep more comfortably through the night. Each CBDistillery™ Nighttime Gummy contains 30 mg of CBD and 1.5 mg of melatonin, a safe, natural, sleep-promoting supplement. Our flavorful CBD gummies contain 0.0% THC.

• The Pettis Fight Pack

  Recover like a professional athlete while enjoying significant savings with The Pettis Fight Pack, three products used by UFC fighters Sergio and Anthony Pettis at a discounted price. CBistillery’s™ Pettis Fight Pack includes a 30 mL bottle of our 1000mg Isolate CBD Tincture, our 500mg CBDol Topical Salve for targeted relief, and a 30-count bottle of our 30mg CBD Nighttime Gummies, so you can rest, recover, and stay in the game.

Supporting Athletic Recovery with CBDistillery™

The lifestyle of a professional athlete can cause a significant amount of physical discomfort. A growing number of elite athletes are using hemp-derived CBD for it’s potential to support their fitness efforts and enhance post-workout recovery. Of course, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to experience CBD’s health and wellness potential. You may have reasons of your own.

To learn more about the Endocannabinoid System and the many potential benefits of ECS support, visit CBDistillery™ to download The Ultimate CBD User Guide. Then consider taking a moment to view our quality selection of CBD tinctures, topicals, capsules, and CBD pet products.

1. USADA. (2018 October 23) Athletes: 6 Things to Know About Cannabidiol.
2. Journal of Young Investigators. C Sallaberry and L Astern. (2018 June 01) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator.
3. Scientific America. K Rodolfo. (2000 January 03). What is Homeostasis?
4. USA Drug Test Centers. J Schwab (2019 October 01) Can You Fail a Drug Test Due to CBD?