Could CBD Be the Answer to Better Post-Workout Recovery?
Whilst using cannabis as a pre-workout supplement may seem like a crazy idea, more and more professional athletes today are using it to recover from an intense workout or competition. After a hard training session or long workout, you may be feeling tired, sore, and even a little bit nauseous. In this situation, you might consider taking some Ibuprofen or Aleve. However, what many people do not realize is that drugs such as these can actually become extremely dangerous when taken regularly over a long period of time. Cannabis offers a less toxic and more powerful alternative for workout recovery.
#1. CBD Oil Post-Workout
After a great workout where your head is clear and you are feeling mentally refreshed and revitalized, you might be wondering if getting ‘high’ would actually do you any good. However, the good news is that there’s no need to deal with the ‘head high’ effects of cannabis if you want to use it as a post-workout recovery supplement. In the highest concentrations of the marijuana plant, there are eighty-five known cannabinoids, of which THC and CBD are the most well-known. Whilst THC tends to cause the ‘head high’ and is usually found in higher concentrations in your typical street weed, CBD has been found to counter the high caused by THC and is found in strains grown for maximum therapeutic and medical applications.
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#2. Choosing a Post-Workout Strain
When using cannabis for both physical and mental recovery post-workout, it’s important to make sure that you are using the right strain to get maximum benefits. Pain relieving, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory properties are primarily found in Indica strains and strains which contain maximum CBD. Indica strains of cannabis tend to be one of the most popular for CBD usage in sports, since they provide a deeply relaxing body high, helping the athlete to relax both mentally and physically. It is recommended that you choose a strain which is non-psychoactive and high in CBD, to take full advantage of these beneficial post-workout effects.
#3. Some Main Benefits
If you are wondering why you should try CBD as a post-workout supplement, then there are many great benefits to be had. Firstly, CBD is an analgesic, helping to reduce and alleviate any pain both during and post-workout. In addition, both CBD and THC are extremely effective in managing post-exercise inflammation, along with helping the muscles to relax and improving the sleep, which is essential to muscle growth and recovery. Cannabinoids are also known to have antispasmodic properties, making them an effective supplement choice for athletes who tend to suffer from muscle spasms post-workout. They are also an effective choice of medication for the prevention of nausea and vomiting after exercise. Lastly, for athletes in certain sports who need to take in more calories than average, such as MMA fighters or powerlifters, cannabis can help to increase the appetite.
Would you ever consider using CBD as a supplement post-workout? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.