The Surprising Benefits of CBD Products: What You Need to Know
Over the last few years, Cannabidiol — more commonly referred to as CBD — has become a widespread, respected tool for many ailments. It’s one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, and it offers dozens of powerful, all natural therapeutic effects. CBD products are becoming more popular as people learn about the amazing properties of this compound. In this blog post, we will discuss the many benefits of CBD products and everything you need to know about them.
What is CBD?
CBD is the forefront of the wellness movement
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 cannabinoids (a group of compounds) extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. Known for its powerful, all-natural, therapeutic effects, many athletes take it for both wellness and recovery. It can reduce inflammation and treat pain.
Cannabis, Hemp, Marijuana...What’s the Real Difference?
One of the most commonly asked questions is what differentiates hemp and marijuana. Currently, hemp, marijuana, and Cannabis, get thrown around interchangeably, but they are VERY different, so let’s break it down for you.
What are the benefits?
Cannabis:
Cannabis is a plant that has two different types, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. Marijuana is a type of Cannabis that is in both the Cannabis Sativa and Indica family. Hemp is a type of Cannabis that is in the Cannabis Sativa family and it was made to have high levels of CBD and low levels of THC.
So where does CBD come in?
Cannabis plants have both THC and CBD. Marijuana has a high level of THC while hemp has very low levels- 0.3% or below. Hemp is not psychoactive because it has such low concentrations of THC (meaning it will not get you high).
Many individuals and especially athletes are concerned about the levels of THC in their CBD products and potential drug test implications, at MOTUS Specialists Physical Therapy, we rely on the extensively tested CBD products from Resilience that offers an array of options which are 100% THC-Free.
How else is Hemp different?
Aside from its chemical makeup, cultivation and appearance, hemp also drastically differs from marijuana in terms of uses. While marijuana is widely recognized for recreational and medicinal purposes, hemp is used for anything from foods (hemp oil), textiles, skin care, and of course, its powerful medicinal benefits when used as a topical or dietary supplement.
What is the Resilience CBD lotion?
Resilience is a company that makes CBD products that are geared toward the active and the athletic. They offer some of the most innovative CBD products on the market, and their CBD lotion has proven to be a great therapeutic tool at MOTUS. Resilience CBD Sports Cream is made of rich, high-quality ingredients, like Nano Emulsified Hemp CBD, coconut oil, aloe vera, and lemongrass. This product is made to nourish the skin while providing the many benefits of CBD.
How does it work?
The human body has what’s called an endocannabinoid system, a system that creates enzymes called endocannabinoids which communicate with cells in the body. Through this communication, these enzymes help to control stress, sleeping patterns, cognitive abilities, and inflammation. CBD is a phytocannabinoid that assists our bodies with this process by augmenting the endocannabinoids our body is already making.
When you ingest CBD via gummies or a CBD beverage, the CBD goes into your bloodstream and gives your body’s cannabinoids the boost they need to help with full body recovery and relaxation.
Topical application, as with our CBD lotion, provides relief to a specific area. It allows the CBD to supplement localized cannabinoid receptors wherever the lotion is applied. That makes it a great tool for people with specific points of injury or pain.
Some people who have yet to try CBD products are hesitant for fear that this hemp product will affect their perception. However, CBD is not at all psychoactive. The Resilience CBD lotion was designed specifically to do nothing more than enhance athletic performance and overall well-being.
What are the benefits of using CBD for sports recovery?
CBD for athletes
Megan Rapino. Rob Gronkowski. Currently, many professional athletes have been supporting the use of cannabidiol CBD. Research on CBD remains limited, but promising showing benefits for treating several health conditions relating to athletic competition such as joint pain and muscle soreness.
Because it can enhance the body’s natural ability to regulate stress, sleep, and inflammation, CBD lotion offers a number of benefits applicable to many patients. The biggest, broadest appeal of our Resilience CBD lotion is that it serves as a safe, noninvasive tool to alleviate pain of many types. Patients with stiff joints or sore muscles can find instant relief from their discomfort by applying CBD lotion. CBD itself has been studied as a treatment for general pain and specific chronic conditions.
#1 Helps Reduce Pain, Soreness, and Inflammation
When we work out or engage in high-level physical activity, our muscles and joints are required to do a lot. Not only are they subjected to microtears (particularly when lifting weights), but they’re also susceptible to swelling as a result of greater blood flow.
These problems are generally minor, but aching muscles and soreness can make everyday activities difficult. The good news is that CBD influences have been shown in numerous studies to help relieve physical discomfort. More specifically, topical CBD is particularly effective at alleviating post-workout tension and soreness when it activates the endo-cannabinoid receptors located deep within muscle fibers.
CBD oil is known to contain anti-inflammatory effect that help reduce swelling and joint pain. A study on rats showed that CBD oil was more effective in reducing post-exercise inflammation as compared to ibuprofen.
More specifically, topical CBD creams reduce inflammation and muscle pain by interacting with the following:
- Cytokines – Small proteins that are activated when the body is under stress, cytokines may contribute to swelling. CBD has been shown to help alleviate this issue by disrupting the release of cytokines.
- Adenosine – One of many neurotransmitters in the body, adenosine can help reduce swelling and irritation. CBD promotes the release of adenosine, thereby activating adenosine receptors in the brain.
But the activation of swell-reducing receptors isn’t the only way CBD sports creams can comfort sore muscles. Some creams also contain menthol which provides a cooling sensation to soothe overworked muscles.
Athletes often push their bodies to the extreme, leading to unbearable muscle soreness and pain. CBD has been shown to be an effective analgesic agent, providing pain relief.
#2 Helps Promote Muscle Recovery
One of the main reasons athletes can physically bulk up is because, during consistent conditioning, our muscles can become stronger to take on harder and harder challenges. However, with great challenges comes great responsibility. In this case, you’re looking at muscle recovery. Giving your muscles ample time to recover can actually improve your performance and decrease your potential for injury. However, this doesn’t mean you have to take off the better part of a week to let your muscles recover (although in some cases, this may be wise).
Recovery is an important part of training and conditioning, and both professional athletes and weekend warriors will find that CBD lotion can enhance the process. When your muscles work out, they undergo tiny tears. The body quickly heals these tears, which is what causes muscle growth. However, these tears are also the cause of delayed onset muscle soreness. Your muscles need time to heal in between workouts. Our CBD lotion can improve the process with its anti-inflammatory effects.
Applying topical CBD can help promote muscle recovery so you can efficiently and safely meet your next fitness goal. To that end, there are two main ways CBD helps to promote muscle recovery:
- Cortisol regulation
- Sleep aid
Cortisol Regulation
Whether you’re running up and down the soccer pitch or practicing parkour, strenuous exercise causes the body to release cortisol. Put simply, cortisol is a hormone the body produces in response to stress. Too much cortisol can lead to the following:
- Muscle fatigue
- Decreased strength and power
- Anxiety and sleeplessness
- Lowered immune response
As such, too much cortisol can actually prevent muscle growth and recovery. Fortunately, CBD can help regulate the body’s cortisol production, speeding up post-workout recovery time.
Sleep Support
It’s no secret that good sleep is essential to maintaining peak performance. That’s because, without a restful sleep, your muscles can’t adequately repair themselves. CBD helps improve sleep quality by soothing sore muscles and stiff joints, allowing for a more restful and REM-filled night’s sleep. As stated above, CBD sports cream also helps regulate sleep-disrupting cortisol levels to overall improve sleep quality.
#3 Improved Joint Function
CBD oil is known to have anti-arthritic properties and helps improve the overall functioning of the joints. This is especially beneficial for athletes as it can help reduce the chances of developing arthritis in the future. CBD oil can help reduce inflammation and joint pain, allowing for a more fluid range of motion.
In 2017, a group performed a study on rats to determine whether the anti-inflammation properties of CBD could be used to block pain from osteoarthritis. They found that CBD treatment reduced inflammation and prevented joint pain. The conclusion was that CBD can serve as a safe, therapeutic tool for osteoarthritis joint neuropathic pain. As an athlete, using CBD lotion as part of your training can allow you to push through soreness so that you can reach your performance goals and keep up with the activities you love.
#4 Protection Against Brain Damage
CBD oil is also known to protect the brain from damage that can be caused by concussions. A study on mice showed that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces cell death following a concussion. CBD oil helps by reducing the production of cytokines, which can cause inflammation and cell death. CBD oil may also help protect the brain by increasing adenosine levels. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that has anti inflammatory effect and protective properties.
While much of the research on CBD remains inconclusive, the current body of evidence suggests that CBD may provide several health benefits for athletes. CBD is non-addictive and does not have any psychoactive effects, making it a safer alternative to a traditional pain reliever.
CBD has been shown to have a variety of medical and therapeutic benefits. CBD can be used to manage pain, inflammatory pain, anxiety, and even seizures. CBD products are becoming more popular as people learn about the amazing properties of this compound.
5 Additional Health Benefits of CBD
1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety Levels
2. Improved Sleep
3. Improved cholesterol profiles
4. Bone Health
5. Mood Regulation
Is CBD legal for athletes?
Yes. The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has recently removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances. This means that CBD is now legal for athletes in all sports. Starting at the beginning of 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances – in or out of competition. The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) did the same. There is an important caveat: ONLY CBD was removed from the prohibited list. The psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, is still prohibited in competition, as are synthetic cannabinoids. So, athletes should be aware that CBD oil products can contain varying levels of THC.
Is Resilience CBD lotion for me?
If you’re already receiving therapy from MOTUS, talk to us about incorporating Resilience CBD lotion. The application of this lotion can be useful to any patient receiving treatment for things like tension, joint pain, or muscle tears.
CBD lotion is also a good tool for many athletes who are looking for a more comfortable recovery, and to relieve muscle soreness.
CBD lotion is helpful for many chronic and acute pain conditions, as well as inflammatory skin disease. A recent study published in 2020 found that the topical application of CBD can provide significant pain relief in people with peripheral neuropathy conditions.
CBD is a wonderful tool and a great way to enhance performance and recovery, and to improve your overall quality of life.
References
- Holly T. Philpott et al – Attenuation of early phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis
- B. Palmieri et al – A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars
- Xu, Dixon H et al – The Effectiveness of Topical Cannabidiol Oil in Symptomatic Relief of Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremities
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3 Ways to Level Up Your Rehab and Injury Prevention With Us
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