Man recovering from a workoutWhat’s the most important part of working out?

Well, it’s all pretty important. But the recovery time is definitely high on the list.

CBD is emerging as way for bodybuilders and athletes to push themselves beyond the limit and keep going strong. CBD can act as a pain killer and help to reduce inflammation, so introducing it to your daily workout routine can help you to reduce your recovery time.

How does it work? Read on to find out!

What is CBD?

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a chemical found in cannabis, especially the hemp plant. The extracted product does not get you high, though. There are multiple medical applications for CBD, and the potential benefits of CBD are still being discovered.

How does CBD interact with your endocannabinoid system?

CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system, located throughout the nervous system. Depending on the dosage and the way you are ingesting it, you can experience different types of effects. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for several functions your body goes through every day.

The endocannabinoid system helps to control pain and inflammation. When CBD enters your body, it binds with the receptors in your brain to help you manage such things as pain.

It also travels through your bloodstream and starts to help reduce instances of inflammation because of a variety of conditions, including from working out.

Man running with CBD tinctureHow can CBD work for your exercise routine?

When you are working out, whether you are lifting weights, jogging, or any other type of activity that puts stress on your body, you will need time to recover. That recovery will be even faster with the help of high-quality CBD products. If you use CBD before and after a workout, it can provide the following benefits:

Workout Recovery

While most athletes take CBD after their workouts to help treat inflammation and to dull the pain from building new muscles, you can take it before to preemptively fight inflammation before it starts.

Pain Reduction

A reduction in the level of pain you feel after a workout is one of the main reasons you will want to introduce CBD into your workout routine. The CBD binds with the receptors in your brain to help lower pain. CBD works to reduce the inflammation caused by lifting greater and greater amounts of weight.

Controlling your pain can help you push your workouts further and further. You will also find your recovery time shortened as your muscles learn to relax around your workouts.

Joint Pain

Exercise usually puts a strain on your joints. Lifting weights, jogging, and dancing can all put stress on your joints; this leads to chronic pain and inflammation. It also can be really painful. Using CBD helps to reduce the pain in your joints and keep you moving your best.

Muscle Pain

Part of muscle buildings is pushing your muscles to the limits and surpassing them. A good workout leaves you feeling satisfied and with a little deep muscle soreness. Taking CBD can help you to reduce that feeling in the depth of your muscles after a workout as it reduces the inflammation.

Woman using CBD Salve stickHow to use CBD to treat exercise pain and strain

There are multiple ways to use CBD to help treat you pre or post-workout pain and inflammation. Not all are good for your workouts, such as smoking it, as it can reduce your lung capacity over time.

Creams & Lotions

There are different types of creams you can apply directly affected areas. They are not always as effective as other products, but they are relatively safe to use. They are also great for targeting specific areas of discomfort.

Edibles

Edibles are a terrific way to ingest CBD after a workout. You only need a couple of drops under your tongue or to enjoy one of many edible treats that your body quickly absorbs through the lining of your stomach or intestines. The CBD enters your bloodstream and starts to do its work not long after you ingest it.

How much CBD should you take?

CBD is not addictive and does not get you high like THC, but it can take time to figure out what works best for your body. Start with smaller doses and be ready to experiment with different products to figure out what works best with your workout. Your body type and physical activity level can play a part in how much or little you need to take.

Before you start looking to add CBD to your workout, look up the rules and regulations for CBD in your state. CBD, while legal in most areas, can still be a controlled substance in others. Each state has a department of health website you can visit to find out what products are legal and available in your area. They often have a list of dispensaries you can visit for CBD as well.

Woman measuring CBD oil tincture dosageWhen you start looking for your right dose of CBD, do not assume you need a higher dose because you are a bigger or larger person. You need to know how the CBD will react in your body and how it can change it. CBD can cause problems with other types of medication you may need to take, so talk with your doctor before you start taking the CBD so you know how it might alter your medications.

Your doctor also may be able to recommend a particular strain or type of CBD to help treat yours after workout pain or injury. You can also talk with your local dispensary to find out what might work best with your workout. You may need to try different products in various doses before you find the one that works best for your body.

Is CBD Legal?

CBD, if made from hemp, is legal across the United States. CBD manufactured from hemp must contain 0.3 percent or less of THC for use in any product where CBD is an ingredient. It is important to be mindful of the CBD quality before you buy because not all CBD is pure and tainted materials are on the booming market.

The Hemp Bill of 2018 legalized operations to grow and produce products made with hemp. Since CBD is no longer a controlled substance, manufacturing it into anything from bath oils to supplements is legal as long as the levels of THC are at or below the 0.3 percent limit.

Man running for healthy exercise with CBDFinal Thoughts

CBD can be an extreme benefit to your workout. It can help you deal with chronic pain from pushing your muscles to the limits and help reduce joint inflammation from repeated movement injuries. As you start to look for a CBD product that is right for you, be prepared to try different types of CBD in different forms, and tune into how your body reacts to each. CBD can help you with your pain, but always be aware of how your body feels before you use it as long-term injuries are more than a pain.