It doesn’t have to be a new year for you to want to start being healthy, or even for you to start pushing yourself harder and keep getting those personal memories. Whether you’re a fitness novice or a professional athlete, you probably want to keep up to date with the latest fitness news and fads.
With so many products claiming that your workouts are better, easier and help you achieve these body goals, you’ll probably end up trying all the tricks in the book. Whey protein (or maybe hemp protein), pre-workout smoothies, special diets and even specialized gym equipment … There are countless supplements.
But what if there was one you hadn’t tried yet? Could you use CBD oil in conjunction with your workouts?
What is CBD oil and how does it work?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the compounds found in the cannabis plant. Known collectively as cannabinoids, these compounds are the ones that produce the effects that cannabis has on the body when ingested. THC is perhaps the most famous of these plant compounds, as this is what makes marijuana users feel “high.”
However, CBD is a compound that does not cause intoxicating effects. Therefore, it is safe to consume, and produces only minimal side effects (such as a dry mouth, which is easily fixed by drinking a drink). As a result, CBD is legal all over America, which is why the sale of CBD oil is underway. By extracting cannabidiol from the cannabis plant by extracting CO2, companies create PremiumJane CBD oils and tinctures that can be added to your daily routine.
CBD works with the endocannabinoid system of our bodies to create some pretty fantastic effects. This system, shortened to the ECS, consists of a network of receptors throughout the body, along with compounds called endocannabinoids that we produce naturally. Endocannabinoids typically bind to the corresponding receptors in order to regulate and control a number of biological functions, such as temperature, immune system response, and inflammation. However, sometimes our body does not function as well as it could, which is why taking CBD could help.
By using CBD oil, you can help restore your body’s balance, as the cannabinoid can bind to CB2 receptors in your immune system and organs to promote well-being.
Does this mean that CBD could be used in relation to fitness?
CBD and general well-being
If you enjoy going to the gym or jogging in the evening, you’ll know how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Before we start talking about how CBD can increase your workout, let’s talk about how it can be used to promote your day-to-day health.
Natural control of appetite
Part of any fitness routine is eating well. They say abs are done in the kitchen, and they are not wrong! If you want to lose weight by going to the gym, CBD can be a good thing to take along with your workouts.
Metabolism is controlled in part by the endocannabinoid system, with receptors found throughout the digestive tract. In addition, CB1 receptors are found in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which controls appetite. A pharmaceutical company once developed a diet pill called Rimonabant, which worked by blocking CB1 receptors to control appetite; the drug was discontinued due to psychological side effects, but this shows that blocking the CB1 receptor works to reduce appetite.
CBD also blocks the CB1 receptor in some way and has no psychological side effects, making it a safe alternative to Rimonabant. So, if you want to lose weight, it may be a good idea to find a bottle of CBD oil!
Stress and mood
If you’ve ever tried going to the gym when you really don’t feel like it, you’ll know how hard it is to push yourself. It’s important to stay motivated and in a good mood before you start pumping iron, lest you give up before you push yourself to the max.
It turns out that CBD could help. Some studies have looked at the effects of cannabinoids on stress, with a 2011 study * administering CBD to people with social anxiety. After taking the oral solution, participants who received actual CBD experienced a significant reduction in symptoms, while those who received a placebo noticed very little change.
With stress and anxiety related, there is a possibility that CBD may reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress and, as a result, potentially increase your mood. And that could make for better workouts!
Sleep regulation
Another important aspect of a healthy lifestyle is getting enough sleep. If you don’t sleep properly, you’re not functioning properly, and that means you won’t be able to get the most out of your exercise.
Well, a study * at the University of São Paulo tested the effect of CBD on the sleep-wake cycle in rats. Male rats were separated into groups and given different concentrations of CBD, with sleep recordings made during light and dark periods. The researchers found that rats treated with 10 mg or 40 mg of CBD had a higher percentage of increased sleep, with reduced REM sleep in these same groups. As a result, the rats had a deeper sleep, which means they were better rested.
This is good news for those who are not sleeping well, as CBD could help you get the sleep you need to live a healthy lifestyle.
CBD as pre-training
Much of the evidence on CBD as a good pre-workout supplement is anecdotal. That’s not to say it’s unfounded, though. Let’s take a look at how it can be beneficial to take it before a workout and what it can do for you during exercise.
Increased endurance
Some people have reported using CBD as a pre-workout to increase their endurance and greatly improve their gym sessions. But is there any truth in that?
To be honest, the scientific evidence is still incomplete at this time. There are anecdotal reports about this, and there is really no harm in trying it yourself, as CBD has so few side effects.
However, we wanted to point out in this section that different cannabinoids can hinder your resistance. In fact, Brook Henry, PhD, an assistant research scientist at the University of California, has mentioned that one study looked at the effect of THC on exercise. The study found that smoking THC cigarettes reduced runners’ endurance. Of course, the effects of THC are very different from those of CBD, so the latter may not have these negative effects. That said, if you want to try CBD as a way to increase endurance, try getting an oil with very little THC.
Discomfort during exercise
When you exercise, your body produces more of a certain endocannabinoid called anandamide (AEA), which reduces pain and inflammation. CBD administration increases the power of AEA because it prevents it from being metabolized, meaning that “there is a plausible biological pathway that could explain how CBD administration could reduce exercise-related discomfort.” Dr. Henry.
Cortisol production
Cortisol is a hormone released in response to physical or mental stress. It is released by the adrenal glands and tends to be present at high levels during lifting. Cortisol is considered within fitness circles as the enemy of bodybuilders because it prevents muscle buildup. Anyone who knows a lot about fitness knows that even toning and losing weight requires lifting some type, which means that cortisol could interfere. However, cortisol levels rise after about 1 hour of lifting, which is worse for bodybuilders because they are the ones who are most likely to lift weights for a significant amount of time.
In general, the more exercise you do, the fitter you will be and the better your body will cope with physical stress; thus, you release less cortisol. But what if there was a way to reduce cortisol production sooner, so that you could build muscle faster?
Well, another study * conducted at the University of São Paulo, which looked at the effects of CBD on cortisol (among other things). The study found that while placebo also caused a reduction in cortisol levels, CBD caused a much more significant decrease in hormone levels. The researchers concluded that CBD interferes with cortisol production, which could be a great incentive for regular gym users to use the supplement.
CBD for sports recovery
Several athletes, including NFL Derrick Morgan and UFC wrestler Chris Camozzi, have opened up about their use of CBD as a vital part of athletic recovery. But why do professionals use this compound?
Pain reduction and anti-inflammatory effects
Scientists have been increasingly looking for CBD as a potential analgesic. One study *, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, supported previous claims that inflammatory pain was reduced in rats when CBD was given as treatment.
This is because CBD has been shown to be an anti-inflammatory. A study * by R. Gallily et al. found that CBD effectively reduced swelling and leg pain in mice.
Although both studies were performed on rodent models, it is clear that CBD could be a very effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory, meaning that it could benefit athletes during the recovery process.
Reduction of muscle spasms
Athletes often experience muscle spasms as a result of muscle tension, dehydration, or damage to muscles or nerves.
By reducing pain and inflammation in the muscles, CBD can also reduce spasticity and act as a muscle relaxant, preventing muscle spasms from occurring.
Final verdict on the combination of CBD with your workout
It seems that CBD could be a great help for people who want to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. Along with the anecdotal evidence that CBD oil could be excellent for increasing endurance as a pre-workout supplement, there is scientific evidence that it could benefit you by reducing pain, inflammation, and cortisol production. and helping you sleep better.
So, to answer the question “how can CBD be used for the perfect workout?”, You could use CBD products before or after a workout to maximize the success of your gym.
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