Why Athletes Should Use CBD Hemp Oil
CBD hemp oil has been steadily growing in acceptance and popularity over the years, as more researchers are finding benefits to using hemp oil. CBD hemp oil is derived from a hemp plant, which is a type of cannabis plant. CBD stands for cannabidiol, a cannabinoid that works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to maintain homeostasis and help regulate various physiological systems.
Athletes subject their bodies to constant wear and tear, which results in pain, inflammation, and sometimes even anxiety and stress related to such high pressure to perform. CBD hemp oil can help reduce these effects by regulating the nervous system and by helping the body achieve homeostasis.
Unlike its cousin, THC, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive. Therefore, users don’t have to worry about feeling high after taking CBD oil. This makes the compound ideal for athletes who need to be sober to perform at their best. So, what specific benefits does CBD hemp oil offer athletes?
CBD Hemp Oil Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation in athletes is easily identified by pain, swelling, soreness, itchiness, and redness. Because athletes push their bodies to the limit, their bodies respond by fighting against this external stress with inflammation. CBD interacts with receptors in the immune system that cause inflammation and essentially calms them down. For athletes, the best way to use hemp oil to reduce inflammation due to physical activity would be through taking it sublingually, as this results in the highest “bioavailability” or body absorption.
CBD Hemp Oil Relieves Pain for Athletes
Much like CBD oil can reduce inflammation in athletes, it can also tackle pain that may be the result of inflammation or injury. CBD encourages the body’s endocannabinoids to function at a better rate by binding with them and making them stronger. Since the endocannabinoid system helps stabilize the nervous system, pain receptors are less likely to respond to stimuli. Therefore, using CBD hemp oil helps neutralize pain receptors in the body, making athletes feel less pain without unwanted side effects that other painkillers may cause.
CBD Hemp Oil Helps Manage Anxiety & Stress
With so much pressure to perform, especially before significant events, athletes are readily susceptible to anxiety. Similarly, athletes put their bodies through high amounts of stress to achieve their best performances. Fortunately, many studies have found that hemp oil reduces anxiety in some patients, including those who suffer from social anxiety. It does this by activating serotonin production and reducing cortisol secretion. While the effects of CBD hemp oil on athletes who experience anxiety and stress has not specifically been studied, there is enough evidence from other studies that lead medical experts to believe CBD hemp oil can help athletes as well.
