CBD for Muscle Relief
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Choosing the right supplements and nutrition products for working out is crucial to ensuring long-term success with your goals in and out of the gym, and just as important, but often overlooked, is finding the right products for pain relief.
In particular, muscle relief, which is why I’m going to talk about CBD and how it can help with muscle aches and pains, and potentially aid in recovery for training.
Now, if you’ve followed along on the site and know me, I’ll always stress that I’m not a medical expert, only someone that is curious and willing to experiment when it comes to supplements and (almost) anything that can aid my workouts.
With that in mind, CBD has always intrigued me as a potential addition to a supplement stack for recovery, so I figured I should help you see the possible benefits of CBD for muscle relief.
What is CBD
If you’re unaware of what CBD is, I’ll give you a quick rundown to get you caught up to speed.
Contrary to what many think, CBD is not the same as THC.
That is to say that CBD is not psychoactive like THC is. CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is the second of two major chemical compounds that marijuana/cannabis is comprised of, whereas on the other hand, THC is the chemical most closely associated with getting high.
CBD is a very important chemical for the fact that it’s very versatile. Many hemp products are comprised of this cannabinoid chemical and it has possible health benefits. The most common of these benefits help with anxiety, stress, muscle pain/aches, appetite, blood pressure, sleep, and even more serious benefits for seizure disorders (epilepsy) and MS (multiple sclerosis).
Now that we have a bit of context about CBD, let us get into some of the pressing questions regarding it.
Is CBD Safe
An ever-important question to ask about any supplement, ingestible, food, etc. that you have to ask is whether or not it’s safe.
Unfortunately, it differs from person to person. CBD isn’t the same as THC so it doesn’t get you high as it’s not a psychoactive cannabinoid, but it can have different effects on different people given that it impacts brain chemicals.
In a general sense, CBD is safe and can be highly beneficial in small amounts, especially for those looking to get muscle relief for working out, need help with minor anxiety, something to help reduce stress, etc.
CBD is not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women as it can negatively harm the baby, so it is not recommended for them. This also applies to children, with the exception of children over the age of 1 with the prescription form of CBD known as Epidiolex, but consult with your doctor about this.
Along with those limitations, it should be taken in low doses for people with liver disease. This is important for fitness enthusiasts as a lot of supplements can have negative side effects on liver and kidney function, like exceeding recommended doses of protein powder or creatine (kidney) or oral steroids (liver).
Lastly, high doses of CBD are ill-advised for people with Parkinson’s as it can possibly increase muscle spasms and tremors.
Is CBD Legal
Another major concern is whether CBD is legal or not.
Again, CBD is different from THC so it’s less regulated than its counterpart and is offered in a prescription form, but it is also legal in all 50 U.S. States, Canada, Australia, U.K., Japan, France, most of Europe, and partially legal in many places like Germany, Austria, Denmark, etc.
For most regions where CBD is legal, there are requirements about the legality of CBD products, usually meaning that it must not contain THC content of about 0.2%, and each state differs from one another in the U.S., but for the most part, CBD is legal.
How Can You Use CBD for Muscle Relief
Now for the part you really want to know - is CBD good for muscle relief?
The short answer is yes, but like every supplement or dietary product, it’s never that black or white.
Before I get into why it’s a subjective experience for each person that uses CBD, let us look at why or how CBD is useful for muscle relief and athletic performance.
CBD can help with muscle and pain relief because it has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a good, natural remedy for an aching body after lifting or sports. Many athletes use it as a way to provide support for a demanding regiment.
Along with the anti-inflammation, CBD can be useful in the overall foundation of building a body that can recover well because it’s useful for relaxing mentally as well. Being able to de-stress helps the body relax, loosening up muscles. Tight muscles, either from stress or lack of stretching, are a major cause of injury in the gym or during sports, and they can be helped with more sleep as well.
Using CBD to improve sleep quality is another major benefit it has which directly impacts your recovery. The more sleep you get, and the better sleep you get, the easier it is for your body to recover.
Things to Consider About CBD Use
We’ve gone over a bit of context surrounding CBD but it never hurts to get a little refresher on what you need to consider about CBD use.
Firstly, your health status. Even though you might be a perfectly healthy individual, it doesn’t mean CBD is for everyone. CBD is not psychoactive like THC, but it can increase anxiety in some users because it is still a chemical that impacts brain activity. Along with the warnings for pregnant women, children, and people with particular health conditions (Parkinson’s, blood pressure concerns, etc.) it is not a slam dunk alternative medicine, so consult with your doctor before taking any CBD products.
Secondly, you want to make sure it’s legal wherever you live. It’s easy to look up the legal status of CBD now as it’s becoming increasingly accepted and available. In addition to this, if you’re an athlete competing in sports or competitions, you want to consult with their governing body/rules to see if CBD is an accepted substance to avoid the risk of disqualification or punishment.
Lastly, you want to consider why you’re taking CBD. If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you came here to find an alternative for muscle relief and recovery, which is possible with CBD, but it’s not always the case. You should do a self-inventory check on whether you’re looking for help with stress, appetite, mood, sleep, or otherwise. Just because CBD is good for muscle and pain relief, doesn’t mean it’s the only thing it can help you with.
CBD Products To Try
Once again, I’m not a medical expert, I don’t claim to be and furthermore, I’m no CBD expert either, but I’ve tried a handful of CBD products to see which ones worked and which ones I would consider sticking with and have found a few I liked.
Here are some CBD products that may be useful for muscle/pain relief and general health improvement for your fitness goals.
Physicians Grade Cool Mint Roll-On Relief
An excellent option for people who hate applying gels or creams is Physician’s Grade Cool Mint Roll-On Relief CBD.
Pure CBD isolate, clinically tested, and containing 750mg of CBD per container, it’s a useful product to have in your gym bag for easy roll-on relief for specific muscle groups that need relief.
CV Sciences CBD Gummy
Many CBD products also come in an ingestible form, and CV Sciences CBD Gummy is one of those many options.
Each container holds 30 servings of gummies, each with 10mg of CBD from hemp extract.
This is a popular option because it comes in a delicious flavor (Cherry Mango) and it allows you to adjust your serving sizes according to your needs.
Myaderm Advanced Sport Fast Acting CBD Cream
For those needing serious CBD relief for muscle pains, Myaderm Advanced Sport Fast Acting CBD Cream packs 2400mg into each container.
The cream is fast-absorbing and has little scent, which is often a problem with muscle relief creams. It also comes in 1200mg form if you are unsure of needing the full-size option.
CV Sciences Full Spectrum Hemp Extract
If you’re like many and dislike topicals, you can get another form of ingestible CBD, in a spray.
Most CBD comes in tinctures, which can often taste a little icky (a little water washes the flavor out quickly), but CV Sciences Full Spectrum Hemp Extract spray is a good option that won’t leave a lasting taste.
It contains 10mg per serving (4 pumps) and has 75 servings per bottle.
Final Thoughts
Although CBD is most commonly associated with THC, it’s not the same chemical compound. CBD is used primarily for the relief of various ailments, not for getting high, which makes it an excellent product to help with muscle relief.
Not only is it great for muscle relief, but it has ancillary benefits that support recovery, like improving mood, sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, and even helping with appetite.
Although CBD might not be at the top of your list for recovery supplements, it certainly deserves a second look to see if it’s something that may help you in your fitness journey.
As always, consult with your doctor to see if it’s right for you to ensure a good, healthy experience.
