By Eliza Sterling

A wave of elite athletes from various sports domains are uncovering the impressive benefits of a natural remedy, cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, to enhance their training performance and expedite recovery. As hailed by weightlifters, soccer stars, and triathletes alike, CBD is evolving as a hot favorite and is set to dominate the sports supplement category in 2022.

CBD, sourced from the plant cannabis Sativa, is a legal, therapeutic compound, known as cannabinoids, boasting a repertoire of health benefits without any odds of addiction or psychoactive effects. Unlike THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), another compound from the same plant, CBD doesn’t induce any feeling of high. In the UK, CBD is sold as a food supplement and is available in various forms ranging from fast-acting oral sprays, topical creams to gummies, and slower-releasing capsules.

According to Dr. Elisabeth Philipps, a prominent neuroscientist specializing in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and cannabinoid medicine, CBD works by interacting with the body’s ECS. This network of receptors located in the brain, muscles, skin, and gut plays a vital role in managing various bodily functions like sleep patterns, metabolism, immune health, mood, gut function, pain response, and hormone balance. CBD activates these receptors, aiding a healthy body and mind.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), acknowledged the wellness potential of CBD and lifted its ban on the substance in 2018. This provided a green signal to athletes and sports therapists to explore the benefits of CBD on sleep enhancement and inflammation reduction. Profoundly know as the “CBD Olympics,” the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games witnessed the extensive use of CBD supplements by athletes.

However, the quality and regulation of CBD products are crucial, especially for athletes, since WADA still prohibits all other cannabinoids. A few sports-focused brands have stepped into the arena, offering certified safe CBD isolate products for drug-tested athletes.

A budding supplement market with limited research, CBD product quality must be carefully reviewed before use. Here are some potential benefits, multiplying CBD’s popularity among athletes:

Enhancing Sleep Quality:

Insomnia is a common problem among athletes due to injuries, pain, and anxiety. CBD helps regulate the body’s ECS promoting REM sleep, thus improving daytime alertness and focus. Besides, it also helps reduce pain and anxiety, thus eliminating the need for sleep medication.

Pain Management:

From sore muscles to persistent sports injuries, CBD proves effective in relieving pain and speeding up recovery. Early research even suggests CBD as a potential healing agent for traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Alleviating Anxiety:

Pre-event nerves can be quite a hassle. CBD acts as a stress buster, ensuring athletes remain calm and focused during significant events. The compound manages anxiety naturally, promoting a calm state of mind.

Immunity Boost:

Intense training can often take a toll on an athlete’s immune system. CBD can effectively balance the immune system functions, keeping the athletes healthy and well.

Gut Health:

Many athletes experience gastrointestinal symptoms due to the stress of training and the regular use of anti-inflammatory medications. CBD may help reduce inflammation in the gut, easing digestive issues in athletes.

As quoted by Chemmy Alcott, Britain’s greatest-ever skier and a CBD enthusiast, “I was living in pain every day for 10 years and then I discovered CBD.”

CBD, nutrition, supplements, sports training, athletic recovery, insomnia, pain management, anxiety, immunity boost, gut health