CBD For Athletes: Can You Use CBD For Athletic Recovery?

Today, we know that a thorough recovery from arduous exercise produces better outcomes. Fitness is now a science; diehard exercise fans always look for the newest programs, techniques, and supplements to enhance results.

But is there a link between CBD and muscle rehabilitation?

According to preliminary research, using CBD after exercise may aid in muscle recovery, rebalancing, and growth. Sadly, the use of CBD for athletic recovery is still up for debate among scientists and medical professionals. Years of additional investigation are still needed.

But what precisely is CBD, what happens to your body when you exercise, and what are researchers looking at when it comes to using CBD for muscle recovery?

CBD: The Fast And Simple Version

One of the more than 100 compounds identified in cannabis plants that can interact with specific cellular receptors in the body is CBD, or cannabidiol if you are feeling fancy. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is made up of these receptors, aids in the body’s maintenance of homeostasis or balance. Hemp, a non-intoxicating form of cannabis, has the highest concentration of CBD.

US regulations say hemp must contain no more than 0.3 per cent THC. THC generally produces the “high” that marijuana smokers seek. Cannabis is usually prohibited when a plant has more THC than what is legal by law.

Strenuous Exercise Results In Muscle Growth After Recovery:

Building muscle tissue through exercise (or muscle hypertrophy, for nerds) begins with tearing it down. Intense resistance exercise, for example, generates muscle fibre stress – essentially microtears in the tissues. Following your workout, your body recognises that some harm has happened and begins to address 

the issue. This marks the start of the recovery period.

Giving your muscles enough time to recover after a workout is vital in sports performance, but recovery time might vary depending on your health and workout habits.

During sleep, a significant amount of exercise recovery occurs. Sleep allows your body and mind to focus on healing in ways that are simply not feasible when you are up and doing things like scrolling through endless Netflix options or creating fitness memes to share on Instagram.

How CBD Can Help Athletes With Muscle Recovery

Workouts aim to tear down muscle fibre, which is subsequently rebuilt to form stronger muscles. However, the athlete will likely experience discomfort or stiffness while the recuperation process continues. CBD can help with athletic recovery in two ways: before and after the workout.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness:

DOMS is muscle soreness caused by any hard exertion. The muscle ripping and scarring cause this as it grows stronger and more prominent. The body usually produces an immunological reaction, which results in inflammation. Athletes can use pain treatment CBD balm for pain relief or any cannabis-infused product after a workout to reduce inflammation and DOMS.

Conversely, cannabis can be effortlessly used to loosen up muscles before an exercise, decreasing later discomfort and agony. This is especially true if athletes apply cannabidiol topically to the muscles and joints where inflammation is most prone, including problematic locations like your knees.

Anti-Catabolic:

Cannabidiol can act as an anti-catabolic because it reaches and binds to endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body. Catabolic hormones contribute to muscle loss. However, cannabidiol acts as a catalyst for an anti-catabolic response, lowering the risk of muscle loss while assisting athletes with recovery and growth.

Inflammation And Swelling:

CB2 receptors are primarily found in the immunological and nervous systems, and CBD coupled to CB2 receptors performs its most muscular anti-inflammatory action in these systems. While athletes require some inflammation to have the optimum immunological response to physical activity, too much inflammation causes discomfort and soreness.

CBD aids in modulating the immunological response, keeping it in balance, and reducing bruising, despair, and pain before and after physical activities. 

Athletic Injuries:

Unfortunately, athletes suffer from various injuries, particularly those related to overuse or training, such as tennis elbow. CBD can assist athletes in avoiding training and performance delays by easing soreness and fitness problems. Cannabinoids are known for their antispasmodic qualities. Therefore, cannabidiol will aid with any type of muscle spasm. Furthermore, cannabinoids are safe to consume before, during, and after exercises and injuries.

How Does CBD Help With Athletic Recovery?

Sleep Quality:

Because the CB1 receptor that cannabis acts on plays a role in inducing sleep, cannabidiol can promote recovery by potentially enhancing the quality and length of sleep. 

Relieves Stress:

Cannabinoids aid in regulating dopamine, the reward chemical, transmission at specific places in the brain, and the prevention of anandamide, the bliss chemical’s breakdown. 

Muscle Relaxation:

Cannabidiol’s function to control the body’s neurotransmitters results in fewer chemicals triggering synapses and clearing the residual neurotransmitters to prevent continuous activation.

Pain Relief:

Cannabis can lower inflammation by modulating cytokines and inhibiting anandamide breakdown, which contributes to pain relief.

Controls Appetite:

CBD has a role in energy metabolism and feeding behaviour because the CB1 receptor signals to maintain ‘whole body energy homeostasis.

Impressed? Yet, tired of searching for the best CBD products near me?

Shop for the best quality doses of cannabinoids from Healthy Vibez CBD.

What Cons Are Associated With Using CBD For Athletic Recovery?

Although CBD has many advantages for being a natural product, there are two key drawbacks that athletes should be aware of.

Full Spectrum Products May Cause A Drug Test Failure

The Farm Bill of 2018 makes Full Spectrum cannabidiol legal in all 50 states if it contains no more than 0.3% THC. According to the World Doping Agency, CBD products containing just cannabis are permitted.

Use Isolate CBD or Broad Spectrum CBD Products to avoid any sort of test rejection.

Stigmatization In Society:

Many individuals are unaware that cannabinoids do not come from marijuana. The stigma is fading as people understand that cannabis does not get you high, yet many remain in the dark.

Does CBD Have A Toxic Effect?

Cannabidiol has no intoxicating properties, and using CBD isolate products or broad-spectrum CBD means that the THC is not present in them. Only full-spectrum cannabis does not remove the THC. That means that if you are susceptible to drug testing, it may be preferable to avoid full-spectrum CBD.


Although most people accept cannabidiol, the most commonly reported adverse effects include tiredness, diarrhea, and changes in appetite or weight. There is also some evidence that it may interfere with other medications and have an influence on our reproductive systems. There is some evidence that cannabis might diminish sperm production and cause the death of an embryo or fetus. So, consult a doctor before beginning to take cannabidiol.

CBD For Athletic Recovery: Which Product To Consider?

There are three varieties of cannabis, each with its own set of benefits. These are:

CBD isolate is a pure substance that only includes CBD and has modest effects.

CBD is present in broad-spectrum products alongside other cannabis components, such as CBN, but not THC. 

Full-spectrum products have slightly higher THC contents, but if purchased from a trustworthy source, this should still be at a trace level.

Final Verdict:

A growing body of data supports using CBD for athletic recovery, and this is due to our endocannabinoid system, which is one of our physiological systems that plays a part in many areas of our health. 

Regarding sports, data and clinical trials indicate that CBD can help by reducing tension, relaxing muscles, enhancing sleep quality, reducing inflammation, and even positively influencing your eating habits.

So what are you waiting for? Go! Grab your recovery partner from Healthy Vibes CBD.