Everything You Need To Know About CBD and Bodybuilding

In a world full of protein, creatine, and pre-workout there might be room for one more supplement, CBD. While CBD is known to have several health benefits, is it safe for natural bodybuilders? CBD has been gaining popularity for many years as more data has come out deeming it safe for long-term use as well as separating it from its counterpart, THC. Natural bodybuilders have been using CBD for years to soothe sore muscles, reduce joint and arthritis pain, improve sleep, and much more! In this article, we will go more in-depth as to why if you’re a bodybuilder, CBD may be a great supplement for you. 

What Is CBD?

Out of the 113 naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa L. plant, CBD is one and it turns out to be its lesser-known child. CBD is removed from Hemp plants that contain under 0.3% THC concentration. CBD is extricated from the flower of the cannabis plant to produce a crude paste-like substance. This paste-like substance is then blended in with fatty bases, for example, hemp oil (extracted from hemp seeds) or MCT (created from Coconut), permitting it to be ingested.

What Is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the central psychoactive component— a component that affects a person’s neurological function— of cannabis and one of the 113 cannabinoids (compounds found in cannabis) discovered in the plant. THC is the substance liable for the greater part of cannabis’s mental impacts. It acts similar to the cannabinoid synthetics produced naturally by the body. Cannabinoid receptors are packed in specific spaces of the mind related to deduction, memory, joy, coordination, and time discernment. THC adheres to these receptors— proteins that create a response in the body— and initiates them and influences an individual’s thinking, focus, coordination, as well as thinking abilities, focusing skills, etc.

THC can prompt hallucinations, alter thinking patterns and cause daydreams. Overall, the impacts set in 10-30 minutes after ingestion and last around two hours. Impairment in physical activities may proceed after the apparent state of ‘high’ has come to an end. THC has its own psychoactive benefits, however, caution needs to be taken due to legalities in some states and vehicle driving impairment. 

CBD: Cannabis Vs. Hemp

Hemp plants and cannabis contain THC and CBD alongside 540 different substances or even more. The major dissimilarity between the two plants is the measure of each compound they contain. Hemp contains more CBD and less THC while cannabis contains more THC and less CBD.

 

In particular, the advantages of CBD don’t alter whether the CBD is hemp-inferred or cannabis-inferred. This is because the chemical combination of CBD is irrespective of which plant it is derived from.

 

Notwithstanding, the measure of CBD accessible for extraction relies upon the source. Hemp plants have greater concentrations of CBD, making them the better alternative for producers and manufacturing companies.

 

Note that all CBD items should have under 0.3% THC. Even those produced using cannabis-inferred CBD must contain less than the given concentration.

CBD for Bodybuilding:

CBD is useful for weight training and muscle development. Recent researches have recommended that CBD oil can be of great use to muscle enthusiasts and bodybuilders due to CBD’s healing properties for inflammation and muscle recovery. CBD not only assists with sore muscles and tissue but also improves your immunity and general health.

Advantages of CBD For Bodybuilders:

 

There are several ways in which bodybuilders can benefit from CBD. Some of them are described below in detail:

Anti-inflammation and Muscle Recovery: One of the advantages of CBD identified with muscle. Acute inflammation is important for bodybuilders. It is a brief cycle that helps eliminate foreign bodies by killing them. After it accomplishes this interaction, the antibodies eliminate residue while fixing damaged cells. If you have ever trained intensely, you are probably aware of the pain that accompanies this type of inflammation. This pain is good news but what you are trying to avoid is chronic inflammation that results in muscle breakdown. This type of inflammation can also make it unappealing to work out those muscle groups again until they’re completely recovered. This results in slow muscle progression. CBD can help diminish the constant inflammation of chronic nature without thwarting muscle-building activity. Cannabinoids have strong anti-inflammatory properties that help in muscle recovery.

Increased Energy: It is difficult to perform an intense exercise when you feel lazy. CBD helps regulate the glucose levels in your body that affect the insulin (a hormone that controls glucose levels in your blood) levels produced by your body. By keeping a lower level of insulin, more glucose is burned into energy, instead of changing it over to fat. Just as seeing better muscle-building results, you may feel motivated toward working out harder.

 

Better Sleep: Bodybuilding is not only physically demanding but also mentally demanding. The mental tole that competing can take on your mind can inhibit you from securing a full night of complete rest. A lot of muscle recovery also occurs in your sleep and helps you heal faster. Lack of rest and sleep results in difficulty in converting protein into muscle. This is where CBD jumps in. CBD is proven to induce better sleep which in return helps heal damaged muscles.

 

Reduced Stress: High cortisol (a hormone that regulates stress levels) levels result in declined muscle growth. Producing this stress hormone in excess will hinder your muscle growth. CBD aids in reducing stress levels in a person and that automatically reduces the production of cortisol.

 

Pain relief: Conventional medications can help diminish body aches and stiffness, yet some people, particularly weight lifters and bodybuilders consider CBD to be a better alternative. There is developing proof that non-psychoactive elements and compounds, such as Cannabinoids (CBD) have antispasmodic properties, implying that they decrease muscle fits and spasms after trying out a new exercise.

 

Weight Loss: CBD may facilitate weight loss considering the effects it has on the brain and body. On the body, it is mainly due to the result of the effect on the natural endocannabinoid system (molecules similar to cannabinoids made by your body). CBD works with other cannabinoids to conceivably trigger the activation of receptors like endocannabinoid and serotonin. This may assume a part in weight reduction or other basic metabolic capacities.

Disadvantages of CBD For Bodybuilders:

 

CBD has shown plenty of benefits for bodybuilders and everyday adventurers alike, however, it’s important to be aware of some of the minor and rare disadvantages of CBD. 

Research shows that CBD can interfere with an enzyme known as cytochrome which helps metabolize certain medications in your liver. By consulting your doctor about the reaction between CBD and your medications, you can prevent it from meddling with drug metabolization. 

It is also important to make sure the CBD products you choose are certified by the FDA and don’t contain any banned substances for your bodybuilding organization. When CBD products are not carefully tested and FDA certified the likelihood of there being adverse effects is much greater. 

Possible adverse effects of CBD include:

• It could react chemically with other drugs or alcohol
• It may cause diarrhea
• Its use may result in gastrointestinal problems
• It may cause loss of appetite
• It can incorporate sedation and drowsiness when taken with alcohol or other drugs.
• It may result in a dry mouth

How Does CBD Work?

 

All cannabinoids produce impacts in the body by collaborating with cannabinoid receptors, which make up the endocannabinoid framework. The body produces two receptors:

CB1 receptors: These are present throughout the body but are found in abundance in the brain particularly. Their function is to coordinate movement, emotion, mood, pain, thinking, memories, etc.

CB2 receptors: These are commonly found in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain.

THC attaches to CB1 receptors while CBD stimulates the receptors so that the body produces endocannabinoids. These are the body’s cannabinoids.

CBD Before or After Working-out?

 

While CBD can be utilized both pre-exercise and post-exercise, there is marginally more proof that CBD has benefits when utilized pre-exercise. If you want to encounter the impacts of CBD instantly during your exercise, you can take it around two hours before you begin working out. Using CBD before exercise gives time to your body to retain the product and affect the body when in need. CBD post-workout will help with muscle recovery and minimize muscle soreness. 

Forms of CBD:

CBD is available in several forms. Some forms are consumed while others are applied. You can get CBD in: 

• Capsules
• Oils
• Gummies
• Tinctures
• Creams
• Powder

 

Depending on the state you live in, CBD products are widely available and can be found in most pharmaceutical stores. 

Precautions:

Just like any new supplement or medication, CBD should not be taken without careful consideration and research. CBD can be a great addition to any bodybuilding routine, just make sure you are aware of the precautions you should take. 

• CBD should not be taken without the consultation of a doctor.

• Be cautious about the dosage of CBD if you are new to using it.
• You should take CBD under strict supervision and be sure not to take an amount that is higher than the suggested one.
• It is important to check the labels of the products you are using so you know exactly how much CBD you are consuming.
• Do not use CBD if you have medical issues or allergies.