What is CBD, and what is in it that can help me with my recovery?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a highly popular natural remedy for many common ailments. CBD is the most commonly referred to a compound of cannabis, however, there are over 100 chemical compounds. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.[1] In 2018, clinical research on cannabidiol included preliminary studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain.[2]
CBD can be taken into the body in several ways, including by inhalation of cannabis smoke or vape, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, topically, and by mouth in the form of various edibles. It may be supplied as CBD oil containing only CBD as the active ingredient (no included tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] or terpenes), a full-plant CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or as a prescription liquid solution.[2] CBD does not have the same psychoactivity as THC,[3][4] and may change the effects of THC on the body if both are present.
Since CBD is known to ease inflammation, reduce muscle spasms, relieve pain and anxiety it is no doubt that it can be a good supplement for avid exercisers to include in their overall active lifestyle. Athletes are finding that taking CBD is a great alternative to NSAIDs, which are known to cause kidney issues, bleeding ulcers, and even seizures. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters (5). This is why many athletes are keeping easy to apply CBD, such as Fit Hot Mess Roll-On Freeze, in their gym bag. The immediately soothing and super strong (500mg) liquid CBD goes to work immediately due to the added ingredient of Yerba Mate (an analgesic herb) and uncaria tomentosa extract (anti-inflammatory plant extract) to help with faster muscle recovery.
What Causes Muscle Fatigue After Strenuous Exercise?
Not all muscle soreness is the same. There are two types: acute muscle soreness (felt immediately) and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Acute muscle soreness is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. This type of soreness resolves rather quickly, unlike its counterpart, DOMS, which can take 24-72 hours to peak. DOMS is caused by myofibril tears (muscle strains). The microtrauma results in an inflammatory response with intramuscular fluid and electrolyte shifts.
We do know that biochemical markers (such as creatine kinase and lactic dehydrogenase) are found in the blood of DOMS sufferers, which is consistent with muscle fiber disruption.
Swelling, altered muscle firing patterns and pain is thought to be the reason why muscle strength, motions, and function is impaired in DOMS sufferers.
(Black et al 2008, Cleak et al 1992, MacIntyre et al 2001, Cheung et al 2003, Dutto and Braun 2004, Paschalis 2007).
What are DOMs? Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is exercise-related muscle pain. It develops after excessive and unaccustomed exercise. It is particularly prevalent if that exercise has an eccentric component.
Eccentric exercise is an exercise where the muscles are contracting whilst lengthening – eg downhill running, long-distance running, plyometric exercises, and landing drills.
While consuming foods with anti-inflammatory properties has shown promise, one must factor in the high amount of sugar in such food, including pineapple or watermelon, in order to achieve any noticeable results. As an alternative, CBD use is growing among athletes as it’s calorie-free and, if you use a good CBD cream or roll-on, there is immediate relief.
Most people consume protein powders and add nutritional foods into their routine as post-workout meals to replenish energy lost and to assist in muscle recovery. CBD is more powerful than these post-workout meals when it comes to fast muscle recovery and reduction of fatigue after rigorous workout or training.
To sum it up, if your doctor says it’s OK and you’re game to try CBD instead of popping traditional anti-inflammatories, go for it. Try it for a few weeks while varying the delivery method and dose to find what works best for you. Who knows? By tomorrow, you could be recovering faster from your workout and have one less excuse to skip leg day.
References:
- Campos AC, Moreira FA, Gomes FV, Del Bel EA, Guimarães FS (December 2012). “Multiple mechanisms involved in the large-spectrum therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in psychiatric disorders”. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences (Review). 367 (1607): 3364–78. doi:10.1098/rstb.2011.0389. PMC 3481531. PMID 23108553.
- Boggs, Douglas L; Nguyen, Jacques D; Morgenson, Daralyn; Taffe, Michael A; Ranganathan, Mohini (September 6, 2017). “Clinical and preclinical evidence for functional interactions of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol”. Neuropsychopharmacology. 43 (1): 142–154. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.209. ISSN 0893-133X. PMC 5719112. PMID 28875990.
- Boggs, Douglas L; Nguyen, Jacques D; Morgenson, Daralyn; Taffe, Michael A; Ranganathan, Mohini (September 6, 2017). “Clinical and preclinical evidence for functional interactions of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol”. Neuropsychopharmacology. 43 (1): 142–154. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.209. ISSN 0893-133X. PMC 5719112. PMID 28875990.
- Iseger TA, Bossong MG (March 2015). “A systematic review of the antipsychotic properties of cannabidiol in humans”. Schizophrenia Research. 162 (1–3): 153–61. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.033. PMID 25667194
- Darkovska-Serafimovska, M., Serafimovska, T., Arsova-Sarafinovska, Z., Stefanoski, S., Keskovski, Z., & Balkanov, T. (2018). Pharmacotherapeutic considerations for use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases. PMC US National Library of Medicine-National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
- Kevin P Hill, Palastro, M. D., Johnson, B., & Ditre, J. W. (2017). Cannabis and Pain: A clinical review. US National Library of Medicine-National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549367/