CBD Products: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts

The hemp-derived chemical compound is all the rage among athletes looking to manage pain, alleviate stress, and enhance performance. Here's what you need to know before trying them out yourself.

What is CBD, and how is it supposed to work?
CBD is one of the 104 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant that lack the psychoactive properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the one responsible for getting you high. Googling “CBD health benefits” yields articles that tout its healing properties for everything from pain relief to anxiety, and studies that examine its effectiveness in treating neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. These claims make it an intriguing option for athletes looking to ease sore muscles after a workout, manage chronic pain, or stress less over a big race.

Is it legal under doping rules?
Yes! As long as it's CBD Isolate (like ours!) vs. Full Spectrum - read our blog to learn the difference, here!

How do athletes use it?
1. To alleviate chronic pain
Certain CBD products, including tinctures, topical creams, and bath bombs, promise relief from aches like lower back pain or injury. Matthew Meyer, 26, a running coach and competitive athlete in New York City, swears by a topical CBD-infused cream to ease residual sensitivity in his tibia stemming from an old stress fracture.

2. As an ibuprofen alternative
Popping an ibuprofen or Advil is a common practice for many athletes after a hard race or rough-and-tumble sports game. Lately, CBD has been touted as a more natural form of relief for minor aches and pains, too.

3. For routine recovery
Studies show that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and can help individuals fall asleep, which accelerates the entire recuperating process. This is the idea behind products like CBD pain rollers and lotions. Pat Haymaker, 32, takes CBD after a tough workout to enhance what he’s already doing to recover: “[CBD] helps relax my muscles so I can foam roll even deeper, and work out the kinks while ignoring the pain a bit more.”

4. To reduce game-day stress
This might be the area with the most encouraging evidence, as countless studies performed with actual human subjects (not rats) have shown that it has anxiety-reducing properties.

5. To perform better
When you feel better - physically and emotionally, you perform better. Period. 

Ready to see the incredible benefits of our line of CBD products for yourself? Shop the full collection, here!

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