Extreme sports, such as skateboarding, snowboarding, in-line skating and mountain biking, all come with their fair share of risks, mainly in the form of injuries. Those who engage in these sports know the risks that are involved and are willing to do anything that it takes to be the best in spite of the chance of getting hurt. But injuries do happen, which can be anywhere from mild to career-ending and even life-threatening.
Those who are extreme sports athletes do have means for keeping their bodies as strong as possible, as well as their mental states, as we all know that athleticism is just as much of a mental game as it is a physical one. And, now we’re finding out that a lot of athletes are turning to CBD, as it offers a natural, holistic means for providing properties to the body that may be able to fend off pain, inflammation and even stress that occurs before a big competition.
What is the Direct Connection Between Cannabidiol and Extreme Sports?
CBD is cannabidiol, which is the dominant compound found in hemp, a member of the cannabis genus. Unlike marijuana, its cousin, hemp is legal and non-psychoactive, and so it does not put athletes at risk of legal trouble or getting high.
It’s a type of compound known as a cannabinoid, and cannabinoids are unique in that they are the only compounds that feed the body’s endocannabinoid system. This is an important bodily system that that manages homeostasis by sending cannabinoids like CBD to various cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. Each receptor regulates a particular adjacent bodily process to help it function more efficiently. There are cannabinoid receptors in the skin, muscles, brain and every bodily system found in mammals.
Properties of CBD
Let’s now examine the specific known properties of cannabidiol, which have been demonstrated in peer-reviewed studies performed over the last decade.
CBD for Pain
Of course, pain and athletics go hand in hand. Not only does pain occur as a result of an injury but can occur due to the intensive training that extreme sports athletes must undergo in order to be in top physical shape.
Research has shown that cannabidiol offers both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties to the body, by regulating both the inflammatory response that causes inflammation to occur, and by regulating the function of pain receptors to minimize pain sensitivity.
CBD for Recovery
Whenever we exert ourselves, our bodies need rest. Resting allows the body’s self-healing response to take place, which allows us to recover so that we come back stronger and without risk of injury. But many of us don’t have the time to recover, and this is especially true for extreme sports athletes who may be training long hours daily without taking time off to heal.
Because of the inflammatory-fighting properties for which cannabidiol may provide, many have found that taking cannabidiol helps speed up the recovery process by minimizing inflammation that comes from overexertion. Meanwhile, the overall regulatory effects of cannabinoids may offer more widespread recovery by promoting homeostasis.
CBD for Concussions
A more fascinating bit of research regarding cannabinoids comes from its potential to help with symptoms caused by a concussion. Concussions can occur during any athletic endeavor, but the risky nature of extreme sports makes them all the more likely. This type of traumatic head injury can result in headaches, memory loss, dizziness and even brain damage.
Findings show that cannabidiol may help prevent serious impacts caused by a concussion by regulating the neurological function that can become damaged by this type of event, while also potentially helping with the symptoms including pain.
CBD for Stress and Anxiety
Extreme sports are all about high pressure. Athletes must push themselves to great lengths in order to win. This can lead to anxiety and stress, especially when you consider the long hours of training that can be quite tiring to the brain.
CBD has been found to offer calming properties through the regulation of neurotransmitters that control mood, which is why so many people take it for stress and anxiety. In terms of extreme sports athletes, cannabidiol may help improve mood to allow for less performance anxiety, more confidence and more motivation to win.
CBD for Muscular Spasms
Muscle spasms are a common side effect of training, as overuse of the muscles can cause the tissue to spasm uncontrollably. They can be mildly annoying or extremely painful and debilitating, and the good news is that CBD may help, as research indicates that it offers unique antispasmodic properties.
How to Use CBD as an Extreme Sports Athlete
Using cannabidiol for extreme sports does not come with a one-size-fits-all approach.
- First, if you’re on medications, you should talk to your doctor before incorporating it into your routine.
- CBD comes in a wide range of delivery methods, including vapes, capsules, gummies, and of course, tinctures. Each delivery method has its own onset time and duration of effects.
- Experiment with different products, and even consider doubling up if you feel that different delivery methods serve different purposes.
- We recommend taking hemp daily to allow the compounds to accumulate in the body for maximum effectiveness.
Overall, the Hemp Plant Has Plenty to Offer for Extreme Sports Athletes
With its unique regulatory properties found in cannabinoids like CBD, which may have an impact on everything from inflammation to stress. If you participate in extreme sports, consider the various cannabidiol products that are widely available, and check out the uniquely potent and bioavailable formulas at FTP.
