Athletes are always looking for new ways to improve their training and recovery. One trend that's getting attention is the use of CBD oil to help with recovery. This article explains how CBD oil can help athletes recover and discusses its advantages and potential drawbacks. We will use scientific studies to understand CBD's role in athletic recovery fully.

Introduction

This article will discuss the potential upsides and downsides of using CBD oil to help athletes recover. We will review current research, analyse the positive and negative effects of CBD on recovery after training and competitions, and give advice on how much to take and how to prepare it. By the end of this article, readers will better understand how CBD could help athletes recover and what they should think about before using it regularly.

Research Overview

Scientists have begun to pay attention to CBD's potential benefits for athletes. A 2018 review in Frontiers in Neurology explored how CBD may reduce inflammation and pain, which are essential for athletes' recovery. The review highlighted that CBD can influence the endocannabinoid system, which helps maintain the body's internal balance and regulates pain and inflammation.

In 2016, the University of Kentucky conducted a study on the effects of CBD on arthritic rats. The results showed that CBD significantly reduced joint swelling and pain, suggesting it could help treat pain and inflammation in humans. While these findings lay the groundwork for understanding CBD's potential benefits for athletes, further research, including clinical trials with human participants, is necessary to yield more conclusive results.

Benefits of CBD for Athletes

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Athletes often use CBD because it can reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the body's response to physical stress, but too much inflammation can slow recovery and cause lasting discomfort. CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system to control the immune response and lessen inflammation. A study in the *Journal of Experimental Medicine* discovered that CBD reduced chronic inflammation and pain in mice and rats. This shows that it has the potential to be an anti-inflammatory treatment for athletes.

Pain Relief

After intense training sessions, athletes often suffer from muscle soreness and joint pain, requiring effective pain relief. A study in The Journal of Experimental Medicine indicates that CBD can reduce pain by interacting with brain and immune system receptors. This suggests that CBD could help in athletic recovery.

Improved Sleep Quality

Quality sleep is essential for healing because it helps the body repair and regenerate tissues. Some research suggests that CBD can improve sleep by calming the nervous system. In a 2019 study in *The Permanente Journal*, 72 adults with anxiety and poor sleep tried CBD. After the first month, 66.7% of them reported better sleep. This shows that CBD might help improve sleep, which in turn can aid in the recovery process.

Muscle Recovery

Athletes often get muscle damage and feel sore after strenuous activities. CBD can help muscles recover faster because it reduces inflammation and pain. A study in Frontiers in Physiology suggested that CBD can lessen muscle damage and speed up healing, which can be helpful for athletes who want to improve their recovery speed.

Anxiety Reduction

Athletes often feel a lot of mental pressure and worry, whether from the stress of competing or the physical demands of intense training. Studies have found that CBD can help reduce anxiety. For example, a study in the *Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry* showed that CBD significantly reduced anxiety in people who had to speak in public. This suggests that CBD might be helpful for athletes in managing their anxiety and stress.

Negative Aspects and Side Effects

Potential Risks

Remember that CBD has many benefits, but although rare, some may experience side effects. Common side effects of CBD include tiredness, changes in appetite, and diarrhoea. These side effects are generally mild but may concern athletes who need to perform at their best.

Drug Interactions

Athletes using CBD should be cautious about possible drug interactions. CBD may change how certain medications work in the body, especially those processed by the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Athletes who are on prescription medications should talk to a healthcare provider to prevent any negative interactions.

Special Populations:

Older Athletes

Older athletes might find CBD helpful for reducing inflammation and easing pain. However, they need to be careful because CBD could interact with other medications and affect metabolism. They need to talk to a healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for them to use.

Pregnant and Nursing Women

Little is known about the potential risks of CBD, so it's best to avoid using CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding since there isn't enough research on its safety for the developing fetus or infant.

Allergens and Allergic Reactions

It's important to note that while allergic reactions to CBD oil are uncommon, they can still occur. These reactions can manifest as mild skin irritation or more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing. Before using CBD oil extensively, conducting a patch test on a small area of the skin is crucial to ensure no adverse reactions.

Be aware that CBD products may include additional ingredients that could lead to allergic reactions. For example, some CBD oils contain coconut or almond oil, which can trigger allergies. Always check any CBD product's ingredient list to ensure it doesn't contain potential allergens.

Dosage and Preparation

Forms of CBD

Oils: You can take oils in different amounts, but they might taste strong.

Capsules: They have set amounts for easy use and privacy.

Edibles: A tasty way to take CBD, but they might take longer to work.

Topicals: Best for targeting specific areas, but might not work for the whole body.

Nasal Sprays and Inhalers: They work fast and are getting more popular.

Recommended Dosage

Determining the right amount of CBD for you is different for everyone. The best dose depends on your weight, how your body reacts to it, and the specific condition you are treating. Most people start with 10-20 mg of CBD per day and can increase it slowly until they feel the effects they want.

Legal Considerations

THC Content

Athletes using CBD need to check the product's THC content. THC is the part of cannabis that can affect the mind, and the amount of CBD products can differ. In the UK, CBD products must have less than 0.2% THC to be legal. Athletes should make sure their CBD products meet this rule to avoid legal problems and possible positive drug tests.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Athletes are now allowed to use CBD because the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed it from the list of prohibited substances. However, it's essential to remember that THC is still banned. Athletes should be cautious about the THC levels in their CBD products to prevent unintentionally violating doping regulations. To comply with WADA regulations, athletes should choose CBD products that have third-party testing and clearly labelled THC content.

Famous Athletes and CBD

Endorsements and Usage

Many well-known athletes have supported and praised CBD's benefits. For example, former NFL player Rob Gronkowski has openly shared how CBD has helped him manage pain and recover from injuries. In a similar vein, MMA fighter Nate Diaz has publicly used CBD oil to assist with his post-fight recovery. These endorsements show that professional athletes increasingly recognise CBD's potential advantages.

Summary

This article explores how athletes can benefit from CBD oil in their recovery. We looked at studies from *Frontiers in Neurology* and *The Permanente Journal* to understand the potential advantages of CBD, such as reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and improving sleep. We also discussed how CBD can help with anxiety and muscle recovery. Certain groups, such as older athletes and pregnant or nursing women, must be aware of potential risks and side effects. It's essential to consider their specific circumstances. Athletes should understand the different forms of CBD and appropriate dosages to make informed decisions about using it for recovery. Legal issues, such as THC content and WADA regulations, are also crucial for athletes to consider.

Before trying CBD, be sure to consult a healthcare professional. While it may help with recovery and well-being, more research is needed to understand its benefits and risks for athletes. As research continues, we will have more information to guide the use of CBD in the athletic community.

Sources:

1. Pisanti, S., Malfitano, A. M., Ciaglia, E., Lamberti, A., Ranieri, R., Cuomo, G., ... & Bifulco, M. (2018). Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. *Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 175*, 133-150.
2. VanDolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019). Clinicians’ Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. *Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94*(9), 1840-1851.
3. Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. *European Journal of Pain, 20*(6),