Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained popularity in the sports arena due to a growing amount of research that has revealed its beneficial properties. In this article, we will explain in detail the effects of CBD on high-performance athletes and discover how CBD has become an essential tool for optimizing the performance of elite athletes.
What are the benefits of CBD for high-performance athletes?
- Analgesic properties: CBD attacks pain by interacting with receptors and regulating pain signals, which leads to a decrease in discomfort. This property is especially beneficial for athletes who suffer from chronic pain, as it allows them to cope more comfortably with their training sessions.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: In recent years, more and more athletes are opting for CBD instead of ibuprofen, as the latter has more side effects on the body. Muscle inflammation is a common complaint in sports, and CBD has become an effective alternative to treat it.
- Anti-nausea properties: In high-intensity workouts, it is common to experience feelings of dizziness and nausea due to the extreme physical exertion athletes undergo during training sessions and competitions. Several studies have confirmed CBD’s remarkable effectiveness in reducing nausea and preventing vomiting in these circumstances.
- Antioxidant properties: These properties contribute to a faster recovery, as they directly combat fatigue and post-workout muscle discomfort. CBD can help reduce the appearance of stiffness after physical activity.
What is CBD used for in sports?
For a considerable time now, athletes have incorporated the use of CBD oil to speed up their recovery process. When a person is dedicated to sports, their body faces rigorous efforts that can cause damage to the joint, tendon and muscle level, manifesting itself in the form of small injuries. The key to an athlete’s performance lies in their ability to recover, as the sooner they recover, the sooner they are ready to return to their training or competition. Athletes turn to CBD to fight inflammation, relieve chronic pain, relieve nausea and promote muscle relaxation.
CBD exerts its action through interaction with cannabinoid receptors in the body. To this day, the exact nature of this interaction is still not fully understood, but researchers have revealed that, although not directly linked, CBD influences CB1 and CB2 receptors, activating them in a specific way that stimulates the healthy functioning of our endocannabinoid system, thus taking advantage of the diverse properties of CBD globally. such as its anxiolytic, antioxidant, antibacterial effect, among others. In addition, CBD has been found to affect another cannabinoid receptor, the TRPV1 receptor, responsible for the body’s response to pain and inflammation, from which its analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities derive.
An extensively researched aspect focuses on the relationship between CBD and an endogenous cannabinoid known as Anandamide, which is naturally produced by our body and binds to CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 receptors.
Anandamide is responsible for that feeling of euphoria that is experienced after exercising, commonly referred to as the “runner’s high”. CBD has the ability to slow down the breakdown of Anandamide, thus prolonging the feeling of well-being and relaxation associated with it.
How can CBD be used?
In the case of muscle pain, athletes are advised to use recovery balms and CBD creams.
In Spain, regulation is mainly limited to the topical use of CBD. However, in other countries, such as the United States, there is a wide variety of formulations available for distribution, which allows greater control and precision in the determination of effective doses for each individual.
Legality of CBD in high-performance competitions
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an international organization founded in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee, has as its main objectives scientific research and education within the sports community. In addition, it seeks to develop a sports world free of doping. Until January 1, 2018, any derivative of cannabis was prohibited, but as of that date, the World Anti-Doping Agency excluded CBD from the list of prohibited substances. Therefore, at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, CBD had a prominent presence due to its benefits for physical activity and health.
In recent years, numerous athletes have joined the use of CBD as a natural remedy to combat chronic pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and nausea. The use of CBD in sports is experiencing steady growth, and as research progresses, we are likely to discover new properties and applications of this cannabis derivative.
Bibliography and Digital Sources
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- Murray, R. M., Quigley, H., Quattrone, D., Englund, A., & Di Forti, M. (2016). Traditional marijuana, high-potency cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: increasing risk for psychosis. World Psychiatry, 15(3), 195–204.
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