CBD for Athletes: What Are the Benefits?

Airi Macaluso

Medical Hemp Expert, Hemp Wellness Consultant, and Long-Time Cannabinoid Writer

It’s no secret that athletes often put their bodies through a lot of stress. While this stress isn’t always a negative thing, many athletes notice that they are feeling some wear and tear or even pain. There are many ways to treat this pain with over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as physical therapies. However, long-term use of these medications can lead to other health problems.

While these medications are being called into question, both amateur and professional athletes alike are considering more natural remedies. CBD offers a solution with many known benefits, and many athletes are curious to see how CBD could be beneficial to them.

How Is CBD Beneficial for Athletes?

Athletes may be prone to injuries solely based on the amount of physical exertion they are frequently expending. As athletes push themselves harder and farther than they have ever before achieved, they are more likely to deal with pain, inflammation, and other problems that may slow them down or sideline them for an extended period of time. Let’s take a look at how CBD can help athletes of all kinds.

1. Athletic Recovery

Sleep is essential to the recovery process for athletes. However, many athletes struggle with sleep due to the extreme level of stress that the body is put through during training and competition. Unfortunately, the recovery process is drawn out when athletes don’t get enough sleep, leading to a vicious cycle of adding more strain on the body without a full recovery between workouts.

For some athletes, the solution is OTC or prescription sleeping pills, while others find that these aren’t the right option for them.

CBD is a great alternative to sleeping medications for athletes that have difficulty sleeping. According to a study in The Permanente Journal, CBD is effective at calming the central nervous system, which can help the mind and body relax into a state of deeper sleep. By getting better sleep, athletes can recover more quickly, leaving them in better shape to continue strenuous activities.

2. Inflammation

In addition to pain, athletes are prone to dealing with inflammation, which is a natural response to both physical stress and injuries. However, if an athlete is dealing with chronic inflammation, not only can that impede their ability within their desired sport, but it can also cause health problems.

In one study, researchers determined that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation within the body and accelerate wound healing, both of which are incredibly valuable to athletes. Due to its anti-inflammatory nature, CBD is being looked at for treating conditions, such as arthritis, which involve a lot of swelling in joints.

3. Pre-Workout

Many athletes use pre-workout powders and drinks to help with performance, as well as focus and energy. These substances often contain protein and other valuable nutrients for an athlete, but many contain a lot of added sugars, extra caffeine, and beta alanine—an ingredient that can cause itching and discomfort during workouts when taken in high amounts.

Research now suggests that CBD might promote energy in some people, making it a great pre-workout option for athletes looking for a new alternative. In addition, when taken prior to a workout, CBD can help reduce fatigue and the burning sensation felt in muscles during strenuous workouts.

Is CBD Legal for Athletes?

While CBD is legal for consumption, professional athletes must abide by certain rules to be eligible to compete in their sports. While there are many substances that are prohibited, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) took CBD off of their list in early 2018, meaning that athletes can use products containing CBD without any issues, as long as they contain 0.3% THC or less. It is important to note that THC has not been removed from that list and neither have synthetic cannabinoids that mimic THC.

While CBD is legal for competitive athletes, many still worry about drug testing. CBD shouldn’t show up on a drug test as long as the THC threshold is not broken. A false positive is rare, but should you receive a positive result for THC, you can request an additional drug screening. If you are going to be drug tested for competitions, it is best to speak with a physician prior to using any products containing CBD.

What Athletes Can Benefit from CBD?

Many different types of athletes can benefit from CBD usage. From football players to ballet dancers, and every sport in between, a lot of physicality and energy are required to perform well. Any athlete that experiences inflammation, pain, fatigue, or difficulty recovering could benefit from CBD in one form or another.

For athletes experiencing aches and pains, our Full Spectrum CBD Sports Cream is a great topical option that will treat injuries or pain at their sites. We recommend our sports cream for athletes and people with active lifestyles to help speed up recovery and ease physical discomfort during and after a workout.

CBD oil can also be used in or as a pre-workout support. We recommend that a full dropper is placed under the tongue for quick absorption or added to a pre-workout beverage.

For more information on our products, please feel free to contact our customer service team. We are happy to assist you in product selection or answer any questions you may have about our full-spectrum hemp oil products.