CBD for Post-Workout Recovery: Does it Work

Learn how CBD can help with post-workout recovery by reducing inflammation, soreness, and more. Try adding these top CBD products to your daily fitness routine.

Our fitness routines are becoming more sophisticated every day. Instead of focusing on performance only, we now understand how important it is to recover properly before going back to the gym.

Fitness is a science, and exercise enthusiasts are constantly seeking new supplements and treatments to maximize gains. One of the latest trends is CBD.

You may have heard of CBD oil topicals or specially formulated CBD oil tinctures .

But what is CBD exactly, what happens to your body when you exercise that results in muscle pain and soreness, and how can CBD post-workout support?

CBD For Post-Workout Recovery

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 substances found in cannabis plants. It has the ability to interact with specialized cellular receptors found in the body.

CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp This means it doesn't give you the "high" feeling you get from the psychoactive ingredient, THC.

Legally, hemp contains 0.3 percent THC or less, so the majority of CBD products you can buy in the United States won't cause feelings of impairment.

Potential Benefits of CBD For Muscle Recovery

CBD has been researched for several potential fitness benefits. Many athletes use these products to treat:

• Muscle soreness : CBD might help take the edge off when it comes to muscle soreness after a workout. It interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system, which may reduce discomfort.
• Inflammation: Exercise naturally creates tiny tears in your muscle fibers and causes inflammation. This can be painful, but CBD may speed up the process.
• Trouble sleeping: Quality sleep is key for muscle recovery, but your last workout may be keeping you up at night. You can try adding CBD supplements to your bedtime routine for better rest.
• Stress: Stress is another contributor to trouble sleeping, which is necessary for your body to heal. CBD supplements may also provide calming support.

Overall, CBD is known for providing overall fitness support. If you work out frequently or live an active lifestyle, you may be able to benefit from these supplements.

How to Use CBD For Post-Workout Recovery

CBD products for post-workout recovery come in many forms, including:

You can find a range of products, from full plant extracts containing incredibly small (but detectable) amounts of THC to broad spectrum and isolated CBD products containing no detectable THC.

Topical formulas, such as creams, balms, lotions, and gels, are applied directly to your skin. These products may include other ingredients, ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to herbal remedies.

Topicals provide general support locally. So if your knee is a little sore after a workout, that's where you would apply it.

CBD products such as bath bombs and salts also fall into the topical category, and most athletes use them for a sense of overall relaxation or to soothe overworked muscles and joints.

You can also take oral hemp-extract products like CBD oil capsules , edibles like CBD infused gummies , and CBD oil tinctures. These are taken by mouth (swallowed or eaten).

The Science Behind CBD For Fitness

Consumers and athletes who use CBD for recovery report a wide range of possible benefits. It can be seen as a general fitness support tool.

Medical professionals and researchers have shown interest in CBD's potential for sports medicine. It's already being used to address joint-related areas in 19% of patients , according to a recent study.

The primary research projects relating to the topic of CBD oil for muscle recovery center around better sleep , managing inflammation , and minimizing the release of the stress hormone, cortisol.

The Workout and Recovery Process

Every time you train, you tear your muscles.

In order to build muscle tissue (muscle hypertrophy) through exercise, you have to break it down first.

For example, intense resistance training causes trauma to muscle fibers, which creates microtears in the tissues. After your workout, your body starts to realize that some damage occurred, and starts addressing the problem.

This begins the recovery phase.

During muscle recovery, your cell organelles stop working properly. When this happens, nearby satellite cells go to work and make repairs and, with the aid of natural growth hormones, hypertrophy begins.

The bulk of exercise recovery happens during sleep . Sleep allows your body and mind to actively concentrate on recuperation in ways that just aren't possible while you're up and active.

The process of building muscle is a long one. You'll go through several cycles of working out and recovery before you see results. This is where supplements like CBD come in to support.

Types of Post-Workout Soreness

There are two types of muscle soreness you'll encounter during and after your workouts.

Acute muscle soreness, or AMS, occurs during or immediately after your workout. It's that tight, fatigued, burning sensation you feel in your muscles. Generally speaking, AMS subsides quickly, and shouldn't interfere with the rest of your day or your next exercise session.

You will feel delayed onset muscle soreness , or DOMS, for a few days after your workout. This type of muscle soreness will give you those intense aches, and can affect anyone from beginners to elite athletes.

Eccentric exercises, where you both contract and lengthen a muscle, lead to more intense feelings of DOMS. And since many weight training exercises fall into this category, you can see why so many people find themselves looking for post-workout supplements for support.

CBD Recovery Options from cbdMD

cbdMD formulates CBD products with athletes and fitness enthusiasts in mind. Here are some of the best products for your CBD post-workout routine.

CBD Freeze

Provides support for: DOMS, AMS, and joint pain associated with minor injuries.

CBD Freeze is a topical gel formulated with pain-fighting menthol and hemp extracts with CBD concentration options of 750, 1500, and 3000 mg per three-ounce bottle. CBD Freeze also comes in two different packaging options - a squeeze tube and an award-winning CBD topical roller .

The directions for use are easy - simply apply CBD Freeze to the affected area up to four times per day.

Along with easy application of CBD oil for recovery, menthol provides an almost immediate cooling sensation to muscles and joints.

CBD Recover

Provides support for: DOMS, AMS, and joint pain associated with minor injuries.

CBD Recover is a topical cream that combines broad spectrum hemp extracts with histamine dihydrochloride, an FDA-approved topical pain reliever. cbdMD makes the product available in CBD concentrations of 750, 1500, and 3000 mg per three-ounce container, plus packaging options of a squeeze tube or tub.

Like CBD Freeze, CBD Recover is recommended for use on affected areas up to four times per day.

CBD Recover 750 mg CBD topical cream for pain relief provides a great option for those looking to start a routine that combines CBD oil and exercise recovery.

CBD PM

Provides support for: General recovery through better sleep.

CBD PM with added melatonin serves as a terrific option for those who wish to use CBD oil for muscle recovery.

First, we have mint-flavored CBD PM tinctures, winner of the 2020 Product of the Year Award in the CBD sleep aids category. Simply hold your desired serving under your tongue for 30 to 60 seconds, and swallow for absorption through the digestive tract.

Next, CBD PM softgel capsules provide an oral option for those who do not care for the taste or feel of oils. As with any other supplement that comes in a tablet or capsule, users simply swallow the softgels for absorption through the digestive system.

Like all cbdMD tinctures and capsules, CBD PM utilizes cbdMD's Superior Broad Spectrum hemp extract formula.

Other CBD Post Workout Options: Tinctures, Capsules, and Gummies

Provides support for: General wellness applications

Unlike topical formulas for pain relief or specially formulated oils for enhanced sleep, people generally use CBD oil tinctures, capsules, and gummies for general support and wellness.

Some individuals take their chosen CBD product at specified times of day, like morning, night, or both. Others may mix and match products, using a tincture every morning, but also snacking on gummies as part of their CBD post-workout routine.

However, it's also possible to use CBD oil tinctures in a smoothie, protein drink, or snack bar as a way to ingest CBD post-workout.

CBD For Fitness: Creating a Routine

Using CBD oil for fitness comes with tons of potential benefits in your daily life. Try incorporating some of cbdMD's products into your post-workout routine for a wellness boost.

Here's an example of a CBD oil and exercise recovery routine:

• Morning: CBD Recover as needed, particularly after challenging days in the gym.
• Late Morning: Protein shake with berry-flavored CBD post-workout.
• Evening: CBD PM softgel capsule 30 minutes before bed for a healthy wind-down.

To learn more, you can check out some more incredible articles on the cbdMD blog , including topics like CBD and sleep and the pro athletes who use CBD for post-workout recovery.

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