You may have started noticing that CBD is starting to show up in some unexpected places - in the world of fitness, sports, professional athletes, and even major leagues. Given the recent buzz, we figured you might be curious about the benefits of CBD for fitness and how you can put it to use within your wellness routine.

CBD for Fitness - How it Works 

Before we get into specific CBD fitness benefits in-depth, it’s helpful to know  how CBD actually works in the body. CBD is a cannabinoid that’s produced by the hemp plant naturally. When consumed, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is crucial for the optimal functioning of your body and health. The ECS at its core is a complex network of receptors that works as a messaging system between all other physiological systems. With one mission or goal in mind - to maintain homeostasis or the overall balance of health, or feeling “well”. In doing so, the ECS regulates and modulates everyday functions like - 

• Appetite
• Pain
• Mood
• Sleep/wake cycle
• And beyond 

With that under our belt, let’s move on to the way CBD and ECS can produce CBD fitness benefits for optimal recovery, comfort, and performance. 

The Top CBD Fitness Benefits

Together, the ECS and CBD’s unique effects can potentially provide a plethora of potential benefits for exercise and general fitness:

• Muscle relief - The biggest benefit of CBD for fitness is its relief of muscle soreness. Because CBD is naturally anti-inflammatory, it makes sense that it would help, especially considering NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are often recommended to relieve achy joints associated with working out or conditions like arthritis. In 2020 the International Journal of Physical Education, Sports, and Health studied CBD’s effects for post-work benefits specifically. The results showed the participants who were administered CBD after working out experienced a quicker recovery and less soreness 24-96 hours after their activity. Even more, the study found the participants also experienced improvements to ‘exercise induced muscle damage’. 
• Pain relief- Whether you’re in shape or not, it’s normal to experience some pain with fitness routines or being an athlete. On the flip side, you may be hesitant to work out because of existing pain. Either way, CBD may be able to help. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, CBD is also believed to be a natural analgesic agent. Many experts believe it's these two effects that can be so beneficial for helping promote relief pre- and post- workout. 
• Promotes rest & recovery - Ask any professional athlete - for peak performance, rest and recovery is crucial. Without feeling grogginess from regular sleeping aids, CBD promotes healthy rest and helps you wake up feeling more rejuvenated. In fact, another recent 2020 study was published by Pharmacological Research that stated, CBD isn’t just beneficial for treating pain and inflammation, but also “...can be considered a promising compound in the sport domain to help athletes to manage injury, anxiety, stress or sleep disorders.”
• Lack of unpleasant side effects - Professional athletes don’t have a tolerance for side effects or anything that will prevent them from peak performance. Unlike other sleep, stress reduction, or pain aids, CBD has minimal side effects, and none at all for some. It’s a win-win, all the pros, without the cons. 

Want even more evidence? Let’s talk about CBD in professional sports circles.

CBD in Sports

The most telling sign of CBD’s efficacy for treating inflammation from working out and fitness routines is that the pros are taking it serious. Not only has Major League Baseball partnered with a well-known CBD company but athletes themselves are becoming more and more vocal about their use. Like Calvin Johnson, former NFL and future hall-of-fame wide receiver, who not only has his own cannabis company, but a CBD performance line too.

To add to the list, the following athletes have been vocal about their use or have partnered with CBD brands - 

• Megan Rapinoe, US Olympian, USWNT
• Bubba Watson, Pro Golfer
• Klay Thompson, NBA Player, Golden State Warriors

How to Use CBD Fitness Products

Now that you’re fully caught up on how CBD for fitness works, its benefits, and how pro athletes are using it, it's time to learn how to implement CBD into your own fitness routines. Here are some CBD health and fitness best practices to ensure you use the plant to the fullest. 

Go Full-Spectrum

CBD products that are full-spectrum are “whole-plant” by definition. That means, the extract is unrefined and contains all the natural goodness that the hemp plant produces. In addition to CBD, that includes up to 0.3% THC, and other minor cannabinoids with their own unique benefits like CBG, CBC, and CBN. Even further, full-spectrum products will contain natural plant terpenes. 

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that produce hemp’s signature scent, and are also being widely researched for their medicinal benefits. For instance, two abundant terpenes Caryophyllene and Limonene, both have studies backing their anti-inflammatory effects. Last but not least, full-spectrum blends are capable of producing what’s known as the entourage effect. A proven phenomenon that shows cannabinoids and terpene amplify one another’s effects when consumed together vs individually, for more profound and effective relief.  

Use Topically and Orally

With product advancements, CBD is now infused into oils and edibles for consumption or into creams to externally target specific areas of pain or soreness. For CBD fitness benefits, it’s best to use both. 

When consuming orally, CBD and other beneficial compounds interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system for its unique effects to be felt. When applied topically, CBD is absorbed through the skin and able to provide relief to targeted areas of inflammation or soreness. 

The Final Word - CBD for Fitness

Last but not least, where can you find quality full-spectrum CBD fitness products you can trust? Look no further than Peaceful Lane. We take pride in our family owned farm-to-counter CBD products, that include both consumables like nips, chocolates, and oils, in addition to CBD recovery creams, or topicals, too. 

Add all natural plant powered CBD to your fitness routines for recovery with virtually no side effects. Explore our collection of full-spectrum CBD, and find peace from relief. Shop now at Peaceful Lane.