CBD FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY?

CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in hemp, is at the center of a new frontier in plant power. With reported benefits including pain relief, anxiety relief, sleep cycle regulation and reduction of inflammation, scientific institutions around the world continue to unlock uses and benefits, leading to legislative changes in the US and other countries making CBD widely accessible.

Today, CBD is consumed by people from all walks of life to combat a variety of symptoms and ailments, but the fitness community has been one of the primary drivers in the CBD explosion over the past few years. Power lifters swear by it; MMA fighters praise it; long-distance runners rely on it; and fitness professionals from all categories are incorporating CBD into their daily health regimens.

But why the significant CBD adoption among fitness enthusiasts? With a molecular structure similar to endocannabinoids produced by the human body, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are reported to accelerate recovery, boosting blood flow and oxygen to the cells and allowing people to bounce back more quickly after workouts.

If you haven’t yet used CBD to complement your training, here’s what you need to know.

 

Why are we often times sore and stiff after a workout? 

When you work out, you’re actually causing muscle fiber damage at a microscopic level. That’s why we can be sore for hours and even days after an intense training session. If you hit the same muscle groups multiple times in a week – depending what you’re training or how you train – those muscles don’t have adequate time to repair. The muscles become inflamed, which causes pain, soreness and tightness. 

How does CBD go to work after we train? 

“I work out five days a week typically and not only deal with muscle stiffness and soreness, but often times joint pain as well,” said Scott Paskoff, a fitness enthusiast in Southern California who recently underwent a major health transformation.

Paskoff was turned on to full-spectrum CBD oil from a family member who was getting remarkable relief from muscle soreness and stiffness after workouts. “I started seeing big differences in my ability to bounce back after a tough session, allowing me to get more out of each workout without having to stress about having to pause my training for three or four days to heal.” Like countless others, he’s become a CBD oil advocate, taking between 30-40 mg per day.

 

Are there studies that support CBD's anti-inflammatory power?

When it comes to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, research has been compelling. An article published in Frontiers in Neurology highlighted the findings of over 100 studies showing that CBD can reduce inflammation and pain while increasing mobility in multiple sclerosis patients. Ongoing studies are generating similar findings related to CBD’s role in minimizing inflammation.

In a Men’s Health article, Dr. Perry Solomon, founding member of HelloMD stated, “Broadly speaking, it does decrease inflammation when it's rubbed on muscles as an ointment or taken orally.”

 

 

So should I use CBD to ease soreness and accelerate recovery? 

Rather than handling muscle pain and inflammation with traditional over the counter meds, CBD offers a naturally occurring way to address these issues while promoting a more restful night’s sleep, which also helps in the recovery process.

Start with a smaller dosage and gradually increase based on need, result and desire. Honcho & Hoss 600mg full-spectrum CBD oil droppers hold 30mg, providing a month’s worth for those who consume a standard dose of 30mg daily.   

So try it out. If you’re like many others, you might just find yourself recovering faster and feeling better.