CBD in competitive sports – the most important information for athletes

The areas of application of CBD are diverse, from cooking and the production of textiles to use in the medical field. But CBD now also plays an important role in the area of general health. More and more competitive athletes use the potent plant to support their bodies when it comes to sports.

The difference between CBD and THC

The cannabinoids CBD and THC differ fundamentally in their mode of action. Both active ingredients are only two of the more than 100 cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, which have enormous potential. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient, which has a psychoactive effect on our organism, is best researched and is probably the best known among cannabinoids among laypeople. The cannabinoid binds to nerve cell receptors in our body in order to exert its effect from there by increasing dopamine release from the brain through consumption. As a rule, the effect of THC sets in after about 10-30 minutes and lasts for about 2 hours. With cannabidiol (CBD) the whole thing looks a little different. CBD is not intoxicating and is therefore legally and freely available in the US without a prescription. Cannabidiol works in conjunction with our endocannabinoid system by, like THC, docking on various CB receptors in our body. The active ingredient has a calming effect and has an enormous number of properties which make it particularly interesting in the medical field.

Medicinal properties of CBD:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Relaxing
• Soothing
• Soothing
• Mood enhancing

However, like almost all substances, CBD also has one or the other side effects. However, these side effects occur extremely rarely and mostly only when used incorrectly.

• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• Nausea, dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth

What role do the CB receptors play?

As already mentioned, there are so-called CB receptors in our body. This is on the one hand the CB1 receptor and on the other hand the CB2 receptor. The cannabinoids dock onto these CB receptors to develop their effect. Together with the endogenous ligands, these CB receptors form the endocannabinoid system, which plays a major role in the effects of cannabinoids on our body. The endogenous ligands in turn are substances that bind to receptors in order to subsequently exert a receptor-mediating effect on the cells.

CBD as a dietary supplement in sports

Since September 2017, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) CBD has officially removed the list of prohibited doping agents. So now every athlete has the opportunity to take advantage of CBD without being afraid of being punished.

As a dietary supplement in connection with sports, cannabidiol is a helpful substance to help the body recover after a training session. This recovery is essential if you want to do sport successfully. Because every athlete knows that the body is only able to build performance and muscles in the regeneration phase. Due to the exceptional calming effect of CBD, the muscles can relax more easily and the body is easier to rest, which ultimately also leads to improved sleep.

The pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effect of CBD

Inflammatory processes in our body essentially serve as protection to protect us from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Such processes occur in our body almost every day, with a variety of causes. As a result, the body is able to eliminate additionally damaged cells. And as long as these inflammatory processes do not develop into a permanent state, they do not pose any danger to our organism. CBD supports the body in maintaining its immune system by participating in the modulation of the factor TNF-α. This signal substance is expelled from the body during inflammatory processes and triggers fever, for example. In addition, CBD inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, which plays a strong role in the occurrence of severe inflammation. For this reason, many top athletes now use CBD oil after training to increase muscle regeneration. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, the oil supports the protection of the cells, which accelerates the regeneration of the muscles and reduces muscle pain.

Healthy sleep – the be-all and end-all for every athlete

If you want to stay powerful and fit, you should ensure that your body gets enough and above all a restful sleep. Sleep provides a variety of processes in the body, which are extremely important to stay fit the next day and stay healthy in the long term. With too little sleep, the body is no longer able to focus and absorb things. In addition, our body releases various growth hormones during sleep, which are crucial in terms of regeneration and muscle growth.

If you want a restful sleep, you have to ensure that the body is free from tension, stress and restlessness. Cannabidiol can also be used to calm the mind and body. The reason for this is that according to numerous studies, CBD ensures in the body that the release of the stress hormone cortisol is prevented.

Conclusion

When you look at all the benefits related to CBD in competitive sports like this, it’s no surprise that more and more competitive athletes are turning to the cannabinoid to support their bodies. Of course, the substance works differently for everyone. It is important to work gradually and carefully on the dosage and, above all, to ensure that the products that are taken are of high quality.