Benefits of CBD Oil for Fitness

CBD oil seems to be all the rage these days. People are turning to this non-psychoactive cannabis product to help with everything from anxiety to migraines. 

Among them are many fitness enthusiasts hoping to improve workout recovery and protect against injury, arguably the most important aspects of staying fit and healthy.

Although research evidence remains limited, many active individuals and athletes, including big names such as American football star Rob Gronkowski and British rugby players George Kruis & Dominic Day, claim CBD helped them relieve pain, inflammation, and improve overall recovery.

How can CBD oil support your fitness? What does the research say? Here’s what we know about the leading trend in natural health and wellness…. 

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. These natural compounds can provide beneficial effects through their interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. 

Unlike THC, the cannabinoid most people know about, CBD doesn’t cause the dreaded cannabis high. This means you use CBD to get all of the benefits of cannabis without any of the unwanted intoxication.  

People take CBD for a wide variety of health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation, seizures, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and much more. It’s most commonly used in the form of an oil tincture extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis with extremely low (<0.2%) THC levels.

CBD Oil’s Fitness Benefits

Athletes, gym-goers, and other fitness enthusiasts take CBD oil in the hopes of relieving pain and inflammation, as well as improving sleep, protecting against injuries, and enhancing overall recovery.

Although there are many studies supporting these and other potential benefits of CBD, most of the current evidence is restricted to animal and cell culture research. 

Accordingly, researchers stress that more human studies are needed before we have concrete proof of these and other benefits of CBD. 

Pain & Inflammation and CBD

Everyone has experienced pain, soreness, inflammation, and other types of physical discomfort from working out. Although these issues are normal they can easily spiral out of control and become chronic, keeping you from doing your best in the gym and affecting your day-to-day life.

According to research, CBD has potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help. One reason why CBD is particularly popular among athletes is that unlike standard pain medications, which can cause significant side effects and even dependency and withdrawal symptoms, CBD is considered remarkably safe.

CBD and Sleep

Good sleep is another major component of staying fit and healthy. This is especially true for active individuals because working out can make it more difficult to sleep well by causing soreness, inflammation, and making it harder to unwind if you exercise in the evening. 

Early research suggests that CBD can help with insomnia and other sleep issues, improving your recovery and energy levels in the process. 

CBD and Brain Protection

One of the less-discussed potential fitness benefits of CBD is protection against brain trauma. Many sports — including the likes of rugby, boxing, and American football — can cause concussions and other types of brain injuries. Research has shown that CBD is neuroprotective, which means it protects neurons (brain cells) from all sorts of damage.

CBD and Tight Muscles

Another potential way CBD can help you stay fit is by helping with muscle spasms and cramps that commonly occur during or after working out. In fact, multiple studies have shown that CBD can help your muscles relax.

Indirect Fitness Benefits of CBD

CBD oil can also help improve your overall health and fitness indirectly. For example, it can reduce anxiety, which can occur during workouts, competition, and throughout your daily life. Indeed, anxiety and stress are among the most common reasons people turn to CBD oil.

Another way CBD can be beneficial is by relieving nausea and other digestive issues, which can make it easier to perform in the gym and eat sufficiently to promote optimal recovery. 

How does CBD Oil work?

Most of CBD’s benefits are believed to result from its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This complex system helps the body maintain a state of internal balance by regulating key processes such as pain, inflammation, sleep, immunity, and brain function. It was discovered only about two decades ago.

Additionally, CBD interacts with other brain chemicals and receptors that regulate pain, inflammation, and other essential functions. 

Buying CBD Oil in the UK

If you’re interested in trying CBD oil in the UK, it’s wise to do some research beforehand. The British CBD market is filled with many low-quality products because of the industry’s rapid growth and lack of strong government regulation. 

To verify that you’re buying a quality CBD oil, you should consider key factors, such as third-party testing, customers reviews, and the reputation of the company. 

Independent third-party lab tests are crucial to confirm that the CBD oil in question contains as much CBD, THC, and any other cannabinoids as the company claims. Meanwhile, reviews give you a good idea of whether other shoppers found the oil useful as well as details such as shipping and customer service. 

Finally, knowing clear information about the company and its manufacturing process is also helpful. Trusted companies are members of the UK’s Cannabis Trades Association (CTA) and are transparent about where they source their hemp and which methods are used to make CBD products.

Although you can find CBD oil in some UK health food stores and high-street shops, CBD products are most widely available on the internet. Here, you can buy CBD oils from individual brands or from marketplaces selling products from multiple companies. 

One such British marketplace that meets all the above criteria is CBD Shopy, check out their selection of CBD oil products for sale and enjoy a 5% discount using coupon code HOYLES5 valid until 2020-02-29.This company is a member of the CTA, has positive customer feedback on independent review website Trustpilot, and only sells high-quality oils backed by third-party tests.