Cannabidiol (CBD) is slowly but steadily making an entry into the global fitness industry. For the uninitiated, CBD is the second-most popular extract obtained from the cannabis plant, the other compound being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The fundamental difference between cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol is that THC induces psychedelic effects, whereas CBD does not. That might explain why cannabidiol is popular in medical cannabis products, whereas THC is mostly found in recreational cannabis products.
Fitness experts now believe that supplementing with CBD-infused products might also go a long way in enhancing athletic performance.
But with thousands of CBD-based products out there, knowing which product works for your fitness goals isn’t a walk in the park. Fortunately, we’ve simplified the search process by unveiling the best CBD products for your workouts.
How Does CBD Enhance Your Workouts
- CBD can treat pain
Using CBD before, during, or after your workouts can go a long way in relieving workout-induced muscle pain and soreness. CBD is especially effective against the delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), which refers to the muscle pain experienced several hours after engaging in energy-intensive workouts.
- CBD may alleviate inflammation
Cannabidiol boasts potent anti-inflammatory and vasodilation properties. CBD attenuates workout-induced muscle and joint inflammation by interfering with the body’s inflammatory messenger activity.
And as a vasodilator, CBD can improve blood flow throughout the body while also eliminating toxic by-products of intensive workouts, such as lactic acid.
- CBD can relieve anxiety
CBD can treat anxiety by increasing the levels of ‘happiness’ hormones, such as serotonin. With fewer racing thoughts in your mind, it’s a lot easier to focus on your workouts, reducing workout-related injuries.
- CBD may boost sleep quality and duration
CBD has been cited for its ability to shorten sleep latency while prolonging sleep duration. High-quality CBD gummies UK products from renowned brands might also boost your sleep by lowering rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration.
REM is the sleep phase marked by lucid dreaming. According to sleep experts, reducing REM sleep translates to dream-free and more restful sleep.
Top CBD Products for Workouts
- Inhalable products
Vaping is one of the most popular ways of consuming CBD for workouts. One significant advantage of inhalable products is that they deliver cannabidiol directly to your system.
Vaping also boasts a higher bioavailability compared to other methods of CBD administration, such as edibles. In other words, more cannabinoids enter your bloodstream when you vape a CBD-infused e-juice compared to snacking on CBD-infused gummies. However, the effects of vaping tend to wear off faster.You can buy premium quality hash products from anywhere which will help you during workouts.
Since vaping comes with a faster onset time but short-lived benefits, CBD-infused vape oils are ideal for short, energy-intensive workouts like aerobics.
- Smokable products
Smoking is another way you can consume cannabidiol for workouts. Indeed, the CBD market isn’t short of smokable products like dried hemp extracts. Like vaping, smoking comes with a faster onset time and higher bioavailability but with short-lasting effects. So, smokable CBD products like dried hemp flowers are perfect for short exercises.
However, it’s also worth pointing out that smoking isn’t the healthiest way to consume CBD for workouts. While cannabis is generally safe, the combustion process that occurs when you smoke could introduce potentially toxic chemicals into the cigarette smoke, including heavy metals and carbon monoxide. When swallowed, these chemicals might wreak havoc in your lungs, ultimately affecting your athletic performance and overall respiratory health.
- Oral tinctures
Tinctures are one of the oldest ways of consuming CBD for workouts. Like inhalable and smokable products, CBD oral tinctures come with a faster onset time and higher bioavailability.
To administer tinctures, you simply drip a few drops underneath your tongue, hold down for a few seconds, and then swallow. CBD tinctures come in varying bottle sizes, including small bottles that you can easily carry in your back pocket or gym bag.
- Topicals
The CBD market teems with hundreds of topical products, including creams, ointments, salves, balms, shampoos, etc. Topicals are intended for external application and work best for localized pain or inflammation. For instance, it’s more convenient to apply a CBD-infused balm on a sore thigh instead of going through the rigor of vaping or smoking cannabidiol.
Since CBD topicals are intended for external use, you don’t have to worry about cannabidiol getting into your entire system. So, even if you’re using CBD products that contain significant THC levels, there are virtually no risks of intoxication.
- Edibles
CBD edible products come in all shapes and sizes, including gummies, baked goods, chocolate products, confectionery products, beverages, etc. CBD-infused edibles offer maximum discretion, which makes them ideal for stealth users. You can easily pop and chew a gummy bear or drink a CBD-infused health supplement without your fitness partner ever knowing that you consumed cannabidiol.
Another thing to know about CBD edibles is that they generally have a slower onset time. However, their effects last longer in your system compared to inhalable and smokable products. That makes them especially perfect for post-workout recoveries, such as treatment of DOMS.
Conclusion
There are scores of CBD products that you can use to optimize your workouts. When choosing such products, insist on those containing CBD obtained by the Carbon Dioxide Extraction method. Also, check the ingredients carefully and ensure that you understand their potential impact on your body. For instance, while full-spectrum CBD products deliver compounded health benefits, overexposure to THC could induce euphoria and sedation, making it difficult to focus on your workouts.
Ikram Ullah is a seasoned content writer and editor hailing from Faisalabad, Pakistan, boasting a decade of rich experience in SEO and content writing. He is particularly distinguished in the realm of technology content writing, where he excels at demystifying complex technological concepts, making them accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Throughout his career, Ikram has made significant contributions to various websites, showcasing his commitment to technological advancements and his skill in creating informative and compelling content. His portfolio includes work for littlebyties.com, republicansunited.com, and invisiblelocs.net, each reflecting his dedication and expertise in the field.