To understand how CBD is believed to impact workouts, it’s
important to recognize what CBD is. Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of more
than 100 compounds called cannabinoids contained in cannabis. Similar in
structure to endocannabinoids, which the body naturally produces (and may be
responsible for runner’s high), cannabinoids are most well-known for their help
with decreasing depression, anxiety, insomnia, and pain.
However, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, not all of
cannabis’s cannabinoids cause a psychoactive effect or “high,” CBD
counteracts these effects and may trigger multiple health benefits. The most
intriguing advantage for exercisers is reduced inflammation.
“Any workout, especially a rigorous one, causes microscopic
damage to the body’s muscles and tissues”, explains Dr. Alan Beyer, sports
medicine doctor and executive medical director of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute
in California. “It’s this inflammation that triggers the body’s repair
processes, allowing tissues to grow back stronger and fitter. However, too much
inflammation left unchecked can contribute to excessive muscle damage and poor
workout results. Inflammation is also a hallmark of exercise injuries including
strains and sprains”, he says.
For this reason, exercisers commonly integrate
anti-inflammatory measures – such as eating antioxidant-containing foods and
taking ice baths – into their workout routines to aid the workout process. They
may also try to curb achy muscles and joints through the use of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like ibuprofen.
While studies currently debate exactly when exercisers
should try to curb inflammation and when they should just let the body recover
on its own, they also suggest that CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory
compound. For example, a 2018 review published in Frontiers in Neurology
concluded that CBD is an effective way
of improving pain and mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis since it
reduces inflammation.
“CBD for exercise-induced inflammation is absolutely
the next big area we need to explore,” says Thorsten Rudroff, an exercise
scientist and director of the Integrative Neurophysiology Laboratory at
Colorado State University, and the Frontiers in Neurology study co-author.
“However, most of what we know about CBD and exercise is based on
anecdotal reports,” he says. “There’s basically no research on the
topic. We need to investigate CBD’s effects on inflammatory biomarkers [compounds
like C-reactive protein in the body that occur with inflammation] in athletes
and exercise recovery.”
He explains that he has seen a dramatic increase in the
number of older adults and collegiate and professional athletes consuming CBD
edibles and oils. By taking them immediately after exercise, they aim to recover
quickly and effectively. Some believe that CBD reduces the body’s tendency
to break down tissues and promotes muscle growth.
Meanwhile, Beyer posits that CBD is most promising as a way
to help patients recover from exercise-related injuries. He often recommends
that his patients apply CBD salves to the injured area.
“CBD penetrates transdermally to reduce inflammation in
the injured tissues,” Beyer explains, noting that overuse of NSAIDs, especially in conjunction with exercise, can damage
the kidneys. For example, in a 2017 Emergency Medical Journal studying
ultramarathoners, those who took ibuprofen every four hours during a 50-mile
race were about 18 percent more likely to finish the race with acute kidney
damage.
While some people are looking into the research, others are experiencing
the effects of CBD first hand. Workout enthusiast are interested on how this
supplement can help on a regular basis.
CBD is quickly becoming a vital part of many workout
routines. In capsule or oil form, CBD is an important part of any holistic
health and wellness routine. Whether you’re a professional athlete, amateur
jogger or busy mom, this beneficial supplement made from hemp can help.
Whatever style of fitness regimen you prefer, muscle development and muscle
recovery play key roles in overall health and wellbeing.
Since the World Anti-Doping Agency lifted its ban on CBD,
many fitness professionals and athletes use CBD as the staple for their
high-performance fitness regimens to build muscle and boost stamina. CBD can do
a lot of ‘good’ for the human body. That being said, it’s important to use the
highest quality CBD from natural hemp oil, from a CBD supplier you can trust.
Bargain priced “CBD” products frequently contain very little CBD content by
volume. If you’re going to buy CBD oil, be sure it is 100% premium and pure from
hemp.
CATABOLIC HORMONES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN BUILDING MUSCLE
Catabolic hormones are those in the body which cause a
breakdown of muscle tissue. For athletes and others with the goal of increasing
muscle mass and improving muscle tone, reducing the levels of catabolic
hormones, such as cortisol, is imperative.
Cortisol is a hormone that reduces protein synthesis and
actively prevents tissue growth. Excessive cortisol levels are usually the
culprit when those who work out diligently fail to achieve the muscle building
results they expected from their rigorous fitness routines.
A woman seen from behind holding a weight on her shoulders.
Some top athletes are now working out with CBD. CBD oil can reduce the effects
of anxiety and promote more restful sleep, all of which promote a better
workout.
Some top athletes are now working out with CBD. CBD oil can
reduce the effects of anxiety and promote more restful sleep, all of which
promote a better workout.
The key to understanding cortisol’s negative effect on
muscle-building is to recognize that cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the
day. The hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland. Cortisol levels are usually
higher in the morning, decreasing throughout the day, and at their lowest at
night. This explains why muscle recovery happens most efficiently while we
sleep.
Of course, cortisol does provide some important benefits, or
the body wouldn’t produce it. Cortisol is instrumental in the liver, helping to
remove toxins from the body. Cortisol has other roles in the immune system
regulating blood sugar levels, and enhancing short-term memory. At natural
levels, cortisol is quite beneficial and CBD oil can help maintain a healthy
cortisol balance.
CBD’s ANTI-CATABOLIC PROPERTIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP
From research done on the Endocannabinoid System, we know
that CBD oil consumed engages CB2 receptors in the limbic and paralimbic
regions of the brain, the control centers of the Endocannabinoid System
responsible for regulating sleep and mood. Nearly 25 percent of Americans
struggle to achievedeep REM sleep. However, with the support of CBD, regular
deep REM sleep can be achieved to augment protein synthesis for building muscle
tissue at the most optimum time when growth inhibiting cortisol levels are at a
minimum. This is one indirect way CBD helps to manage cortisol levels.
A preliminary study published in September by the Brazilian
Journal of Medical and Biological Research suggests CBD works directly with the
Endocannabinoid System to interfere with cortisol secretion as reported by the
US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, where
subjects experienced a significant decrease in cortisol levels in their blood.
This means that CBD can slow the breakdown of muscle mass and help athletes to
build more muscle.
We know about CBD’s calming anti-anxiety and mood-regulating
effects when working in natural harmony with our Endocannabinoid Systems. It’s
easy to see how CBD’s multiple and very beneficial therapeutic effects, and its
direct anti-catabolic action all combine to keep cortisol at the properly
balanced levels to benefit our systems.
WHY HIGH-STRESS WORKOUTS AND OTHER STIMULANTS MAY BOOST
CORTISOL LEVELS
Increasing levels of the hormone testosterone with intense
periods of weight lifting is the well-known mechanism for building muscle mass,
but the level of cortisol which also increases during an intense workout has
the exact opposite effect.
Cortisol levels rise significantly in response to stress no
matter what time of day or what the situation. That’s why the fitness community
calls cortisol “the stress hormone.” An intense heavy workout routine is a source
of physical stress. That’s in addition to the unavoidable day-to-day
environmental stresses everyone experiences.
High intensity workouts can actually produce harmful stress
hormones in the body. Working out with CBD may counteract some of these
negative effects of intense exercise.
When cortisol levels soar in response to extreme workout
stress, the high amount of the catabolic hormone can cause high blood pressure,
lower bone density, and eat up muscle tissue negating the positive benefits of
the workout. In the worst-case scenario, unregulated cortisol can cause the
physical condition to nosedive. That’s the exact opposite result of what your
fitness regimen is trying to achieve.
This is (unfortunately) similar to the effect that caffeine
causes. It has been demonstrated that as little as 2-3 cups of coffee per day
can cause cortisol levels to rise. However, CBD oil’s natural stimulating
effects provide all the energy-boosting benefits without the jitters while
maintaining cortisol at beneficial levels.
Pre- and post-workout CBD oil supplements can balance
cortisol levels to let you optimize results from your workout time. But, as
always with CBD, there is good news and more good news.
CBD BOOSTS STAMINA AND HELPS YOU ‘FIRE ON ALL CYLINDERS’
Stamina is something that each person desires for their
workout or work day.
The most understood feeling of stamina is what we all know
as the “runner’s high” that you can get from any long-form workout. For years,
endorphins have gotten the credit for maintaining stamina through long,
cardio-focused workouts. However, recent research has shown that the
endocannabinoid system is the true generator of the legendary “runner’s high.”
Findings show that it’s the rush of anandamide, the natural endocannabinoid
compound regulated by CBD via the Endocannabinoid System, which deserves the
credit for the sudden onset of the euphoric, pain-free, calm sensation.
Now within a CBD-optimized homeostasis where you are “firing
on all cylinders,” stamina and energy levels are improved, breathing is
well-regulated, and CBD’s anti-inflammatory action keeps muscles cramp-free
while balancing dopamine at proper levels to promote smooth movement and
balance. Some scientists refer to this homeostasis as “the Goldilocks Zone.”
It’s that state in which mind, body, and spirit function together and
everything is “just right.”
CBD BOOSTS STAMINA BY REGULATING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
The last key to building muscle and boosting stamina is maintenance
of our blood sugar levels. Contrary to common belief, we can do this through
more ways than just a balanced diet.
A runner is crouched on the starting line, ready to race on
a track. Using CBD oil can actually boost stamina, which is just one of several
benefits of working out with CBD.
Using CBD oil can actually boost stamina, which is just one
of several benefits of working out with CBD.
Chronic inflammation has long been established as a cause of
insulin resistance resulting in Type 2 diabetes. As reported by Diabetes.co.uk,
the immune system, cell growth, sugar metabolism and heart function all also
appear to prospectively benefit from CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.
When blood sugar is regulated, less insulin is present and
therefore less fat is stored. When less fat is stored, your body works in an
anti-catabolic mode to help produce more muscle.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE WORKING OUT WITH CBD
CBD oil’s anti-catabolic properties are making it the most
recommended supplement in fitness regimens where increasing muscle mass is a
primary goal. CBD’s additional benefits for runners, yoga enthusiasts,
professional athletes and more in the health and wellness world strongly
suggests that this is not a fad, but a supplement that is becoming the norm.
More and more people are beginning to second-guess western medicine and are
looking for a more natural way to help fight disease and pain – and CBD is
increasingly the answer.
CBD can be ingested in capsule form, oil form or topically
as a cream. CBD creams and salves also have a place in the fitness industry for
topical inflammation, pain relief and flexibility – three things that are key
to a safe and successful workout. It’s important for each fitness enthusiast to
research the different ways to leverage CBD’s benefits and test dosages to see
what works best for your body. The future is bright with CBD.
Stop by CBD MED in Baytown today to discuss your fitness and health goals with one of our professional staff members. We are here to help educate and provide information about the health benefits of CBD.
