The stereotype of the lazy stoner sitting on the couch all day smoking pot is an image that has long been stamped in our mind. But like many things in the world lately, this stereotype is changing, and surprisingly, more people are now using cannabis to optimize their fitness journey.

When you think about it, it feels like a contradiction. Why would someone who is trying to get healthy consume something like cannabis for fitness? However, when you learn about the incredible benefits of cannabis and how it is changing the lives of many people for the better, linking cannabis to fitness starts to make sense.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis sativa is a plant where natural compounds, primarily cannabinol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is derived. A high percentage of THC is generally found in marijuana, and it is the cause of the psychoactive effects people experience when they smoke it. On the other hand, CBD products with less than 0.3 percent of THC do not have psychoactive effects, so you won’t get high.

As a result, CBD has been making a name for itself as the safe, natural compound that benefits people with various health issues ranging from mental health to chronic disorders. While the research is limited, doctors have observed positive evidence of CBD potentially aiding people with infertility issues, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more. Moreover, the FDA has approved the only CBD oral solution administered to children as young as two years of age and older who have a severe form of epilepsy.

Researchers have yet to understand how CBD works in the body, but we know so far that it works on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The latter is a vital system in human beings and animals with a spine that manages crucial functions such as body temperature, fertility, appetite, mood, and sleep. The ECS continually strives for balance in the body — known as homeostasis, and it does so with the help of receptors running through the mind and the body.

From the research conducted, researchers have learned that CBD interacts with the receptors by signaling to them. In doing so, it implements change. CBD comes in many forms, from CBD oils to cannabis edibles, creams, e-liquids, and more. It has never been so easy to consume this natural compound.

How cannabis can help

Now that you know more about CBD, here are five incredible ways this natural compound can help improve your fitness journey.

CBD encourages alertness

Sluggishness, sleep deprivation, and sore muscles can cause tiredness and a less than ideal workout. Moreover, a lack of focus can lead to injury and a roadblock in your fitness journey. CBD can help you feel more energetic to crush your fitness goals.

It does so by reducing the amount of cortisol our body produces. When we are not feeling our best, stress can quickly take over, and as a result, our body releases more cortisol in our body, which is the hormone that helps us designate between the “fight or flight” mode.

When the body is continually releasing cortisol, other vital bodily functions are ignored, and this can lead to a weak immune system and a lack of focus. With CBD, the cortisol levels can be controlled. As a result, you can stay focused on your goal.

CBD reduces inflammation

Inflammation is a common thing when you are continually pushing your body through exercise. While rest and workout rotations are essential to minimize the risk of injury, CBD can reduce inflammation to heal faster.

Researchers conducted two separate studies to determine whether CBD lowers inflammation.  In one study, doctors administered a dose of CBD to rats that had arthritis, and in another study, CBD was given to rats suffering from multiple sclerosis. In both studies, researchers observed that inflammation in the joints eased thanks to CBD, which meant less pain for the rats.

CBD promotes better sleep

Sleep is critical for every human being but even more so for highly active people. Sleep deprivation can lead to lower glycogen production and carbohydrates, which are typically stored for energy when a person is working out. Muscle recovery slows down when we are tired, and we are less focused.

CBD can help promote better sleep thanks to its double effect. In low doses, CBD promotes alertness, while in high doses, CBD cuts down the time it takes to fall asleep. Moreover, since CBD does not have psychoactive effects, there is no risk of experiencing paranoia or anxiety of taking a psychoactive drug. Instead, it eliminates these worries for you to sleep more soundly.

CBD eliminates your anxiousness

It can be hard to focus when anxiety is overwhelming. While exercise is excellent to fight anxiety and depression, CBD can help too, by encouraging the ECS’s receptors to release more of the happy chemicals in the body.

Studies have shown that CBD may encourage the release of serotonin and dopamine in the body. These are essential chemicals that produce those feelings of well-being and happiness.

CBD for digestive health

An intense workout can lead to a lack of minerals and a drop in our sugar levels, leaving us depleted and nauseous. The best way to help the body is by consuming the right macronutrients, including a fair amount of fiber and protein.

However, for some people, an intense workout can leave them feeling so nauseous that eating becomes a challenge. CBD can help by stimulating our appetite. In doing so, you will meet your nutrition goals and free yourself from that queasy feeling.

There you have it; five reasons why CBD can help optimize your fitness journey. So, will you be giving this natural compound a try?

CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is the second most active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the first. As an essential component of medical marijuana, CBD derives from the hemp plant. The hemp plant is a cousin of the marijuana plant. Even though CBD is an element of marijuana (it’s just one among hundreds), it does not cause a psychoactive “high” as THC does. But, it does have many medicinal and healing benefits, including muscle recovery.

In a 2018 review of 132 published studies in Frontiers in Neurology, researchers proved that CBD decreases inflammation and improves mobility and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. CBD’s antipsychotic, antiemetic, neuroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory characteristics help reduce inflammation and pain. The review’s findings suggest that people with post-workout inflammation and pain can also benefit from CBD.

CBD is taken in several ways, including by ingesting it, inhaling it, or applying it to the skin. The various forms of CBD are edibles, pills, concentrates, flowers, or topicals. Since CBD is marketed as a supplement and not a medicine, the FDA does not regulate it. The FDA does not oversee the safety and purity of supplements. That said, it is difficult to determine just how much CBD you should take for muscle recovery. It may take some time to adjust your dosage to what your body requires for muscle recovery. One thing is for sure, when you take CBD and how you take it affects your recovery. For post-workout recovery, you must take CBD immediately after your workout. And, it should be in the form of ingestion.  One of the best ways to ingest CBD is with chewy CBD gummies. CBD from the authorized marijuana dispensary is highly effective and provides longer-lasting effects.

There are over 14,000 published medical and scientific studies proving the health benefits of CBD. And, they found five specific benefits of CBD for muscle recovery.

1. CBD Can Reduce Muscle Inflammation. CBD can help reduce inflammation, making it a critical component to post-workout recovery, and applying ice to prevent or reduce inflammation after a workout is not enough. Those who are working out strenuously or are athletes need more. That is where CBD comes into play. By inhaling, ingesting, or applying it to the skin, you can reduce inflammation that has already occurred, giving you faster recovery time. According to studies, CBD inhibits some inflammatory molecules, therefore shortening recovery time and relieving tension and inflammation in the tissue.

2. CBD Might Decrease Muscle Tension. Post-workout muscle tension is usually an indicator that there is an injury to a tissue. If this has ever happened to you, you know how painful it can be. So painful that you need to take something to help reduce the pain. Most athletes turn to muscle relaxers for this type of pain. But, muscle relaxers are benzodiazepine drugs that have side effects like depression, trembling, dizziness, confusion, and sedation. CBD, on the other hand, is not known to produce any side effects and is all-natural. CBD is beneficial for treating post-workout muscle tension.

3. CBD Can Help Reduce Pain. CBD is thought of as a miracle painkiller. A natural alternative, CBD can reduce pain through three mechanisms by stopping pain transmission in the brain and spinal cord, decreasing inflammatory messenger activity, and reducing muscle ache sensitivity.

4. CBD Can Improve Sleep. Sleep is essential to your health, including muscle recovery. With quality sleep, you can improve your fitness level because muscles recover while you sleep. The body goes through many processes during sleep, including restoring damaged proteins, removing cellular debris, converting lactic acid to glucose in the liver, and stimulating stem cell differentiation into muscle fibers. On the other hand, sleep deprivation can boost cortisol levels, decrease the insulin-like growth factor, and reduce testosterone production. CBD can help these processes, resulting in better quality sleep.

Insomnia is prevalent and is associated with increased health risks. A May 2020 study revealed how cannabinoids help improve sleep in patients with chronic insomnia disorder. And, as believed, subjects found improved sleep after taking a pharmaceutical-grade oral oil solution containing 10mg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 200mg cannabidiol (CBD). The study does not address how much THC is affecting sleep quality.

5. CBD Can Improve Energy Levels. For fitness lovers and athletes, being low in energy can be detrimental. It could be the result of many reasons, including some medical conditions, so it is a good idea to see your doctor first. CBD works in conjunction with the body’s endocannabinoid system with its cannabinoids that help restore and manage a natural balance or homeostasis in your body. This process allows for steady, increased energy.

With these five health benefits of CBD for muscle recovery, you can improve your fitness level and quality of workouts. If added as a supplement, you may notice faster muscle recovery with every workout.