CBD is often mentioned in the conversation surrounding sports recovery with one 2021 study finding that it “seems to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic, anxiolytic, and pain-relieving properties which can be potential mediators of recovery in athletes during regular training and competition.”
And as the colder months start drawing in now sports recovery feels particularly hard during the cooler months!
Dan Khoury, the co-founder of the UK’s #1 CBD brand TRIP, knows first-hand the struggles, after undergoing knee surgery.
Dan, along with his wife Liv, found CBD in 2018 when weeks before their wedding, Dan was injured playing football and needed knee surgery. Told he wouldn’t be able to walk down the aisle, he tried everything and discovered CBD oils were a real game changer – finally finding some calm and able to get a good night’s sleep at last.
Against the odds, Dan made an incredible recovery and was the last man standing on the dancefloor! He credits CBD with his recovery – so much so, that he and Liv left their job in finance and law to start TRIP.
What is CBD for exercise?
Cannabidiol, or as it is more commonly known, CBD is the non-psychoactive molecule found in hemp plants. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is a network of cells and receptors that helps the body achieve optimal balance and may help with reducing stress and anxiety, alleviating pain and soothing inflammation. It may also help you to sleep better and support the immune system.
CBD is commonly used as part of an overall wellness routine, whether that means starting your day with a few drops of CBD oil to bring you back into balance, grabbing a CBD drink with your lunch to help boost productivity, or taking CBD in the evening to help you wind down.
Many also use CBD after a workout to help with recovery, as CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation, which can be a lifesaver after a tough workout.
Can I use CBD oil and exercise?
You may be thinking, if CBD oil helps me wind down, should I take it while I exercise?
The great thing about CBD is that it helps you find balance without feeling drowsy. It can help you to feel calmer, less stressed, more focused and could even help you during your workout.
CBD is non-psychoactive, so you can take it before working out, before driving or going to work, it won’t affect your ability to complete these tasks.
Why take CBD oil for fitness?
CBD has become increasingly popular, especially within the fitness and sports communities. Many sportsmen and women have come to advocate CBD, praising the way it helps them to recover after intense games, matches or training sessions.
This ranges from rugby to golf and even to MMA fighters. From Ben Franks of the All Blacks to Mike Tyson, many sportsmen and women acclaim the benefits of CBD to help with nerves pre-game and to aid recovery afterwards, with Saracens player George Kruis praising the way it helps to “put [their] bodies back together.”
Some people, like Dan, have said they find CBD can help them sleep better, by helping them to wind down before bed. By getting a more restful night’s sleep you are further aiding your body to recover faster.
Should you use CBD before or after the gym
CBD is very personal, so you can integrate it into your routine whenever it works for you. You may find that taking some CBD oil before a yoga class helps you to calm down, focus up and be just a little more zen. While you can also grab a cold can of a CBD drink as a refreshment after class which could help with muscle recovery!
Can CBD help gym recovery?
Research shows CBD may have “anti-inflammatory” and “pain-relieving properties.” Dan found CBD after suffering a knee injury and it helped soothe the pain, reduce inflammation and helped him sleep much better, which majorly contributed to his recovery!
Building CBD into your workout routine might help you to soothe those aches and pains and make you ready to get back in the gym.