Exploring the Potential Benefits of CBD Oil for Muscle Recovery

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are always on the lookout for ways to enhance their performance and speed up the recovery process. From supplements to specialized diets, there are a plethora of options available. However, in recent years, CBD oil has been gaining attention as a potential game-changer in the world of muscle recovery.

In this article, we’ll dive into the potential benefits of using CBD oil for muscle recovery and explore how it could revolutionize the way you as an athlete and fitness enthusiast approach your recovery regimen. So without further ado, let’s get right to it.

What Is CBD Oil

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is gotten or extracted form the Cannabis sativa plant. There are over 80 different active compounds in Cannabis, however, cannabidiol is the most active constituent. However it’s not the one responsible for the feeling of “high” people get when they use marijuana. That’s THC, another popular component of the marijuana plant.

Now, although people smoke marijuana leaves, CBD oil isn’t used that way. Instead, it is extracted (in the form of an oily, thick paste) which is them mixed with hemp or coconut oil. The hemp or coconut oil here serves as a “carrier oil.” The resulting formulation is what is commonly known and referred to as CBD oil¹.

The Science Behind CBD Oil

The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a role in regulating various bodily functions. This includes pain, inflammation, appetite, sleep, and mood. The ECS consists of three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. CBD oil is believed to work by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body¹.

When CBD is consumed, it interacts with the ECS by binding to various receptors in the body, such as the CB1 and CB2 receptors². It also inhibits the enzyme FAAH, which breaks down anandamide, a naturally occurring endocannabinoid that helps regulate pain and mood. Through these interactions, CBD is believed to modulate the activity of various neurotransmitters and receptors in the body, leading to a wide range of potential therapeutic and pain-relieving effects.

CBD Oil and Muscle Recovery

So far, CBD oil and other CBD products have been used unofficially to provide relief for several different conditions. Examples include anxiety, arthritis and even depression. In recent times, however, there has been an increased interest in the use of CBD oil for treating and promoting muscle recovery. There has especially been an increase in the use of CBD by athletes and sports professionals. You should know that this isn’t by chance at all. CBD oil has been shown to have very beneficial effects on muscle recovery³.

The Workout Process

Athletes and sports enthusiasts need to exercise regularly in order to stay in shape and maintain good form. However, have you ever wondered what actually happens during the workout process and why you often feel those excruciating pains in your muscles after working out for some time?

You see when you exercise, you’re actually putting your body’s muscles through the wringer as you’re subjecting them to more work or pressure than they’re used to. Because of this, it is believed that microscopic tears or damages to your muscle fiber tissues occur.

This process then triggers inflammation as the body’s response to try and repair the damage. Thus you find out you begin to experience feelings of stiffness, aches and pains after the workout. When this damage happens, the body usually needs time to repair itself however as an athlete or sports enthusiast, you may not have the luxury of time to wait for the pain and inflammatory response to subside before working out again. This is the problem and this is where CBD oil comes in!

Potential Benefits of CBD Oil for Muscle Recovery

There are so many benefits for using CBD oil for muscle recovery. Some of these benefits include the following:

Reducing inflammation: CBD oil is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body. This means it helps to alleviate the body’s inflammatory response and prevent damage to the surrounding healthy muscle.
Alleviating pain: CBD oil is also believed to help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation and modulating pain signaling in the body. This makes it an excellent choice for use in muscle recovery after exercise.
Promoting better sleep: Another great advantage of CBD oil is that it may support sleep. This in turn means it significantly aids muscle fiber regeneration, thereby reducing downtime. Muscle regeneration and healing majorly occurs during rest periods. CBD oil may also help prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) while simultaneously speeding up regeneration during rest periods.
Decreasing muscle spasms: When applied, CBD oil relaxes muscles it comes into contact with. This makes it the perfect choice for taking care of muscle tensions and spasms, especially the ones that accompany workouts⁴.

Evidence Supporting CBD Oil for Muscle Recovery

According to a particular 2020 study, players of rugby and other contact sports that used CBD oil in training or warm up reported enjoying benefits such as pain relief and improved sleep quality². In addition to this, another study designed to evaluate the effects of CBD oil on stress showed that cortisol levels significantly reduced after administration or application of CBD oil. This further backs up the theory that CBD oil is very beneficial for improving sleep quality⁵.

A thorough evaluation of CBD literature published between 1975 and 2018, investigating the effects of CBD on chronic pain, established that CBD is a potent pain reliever with limited side effects. The research analyzed various forms of pain, including neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and cancer pain.

Additionally, animal studies have shown that CBD also has pain-relieving properties. For example, in 2016, a study conducted on rats with arthritis revealed that a daily dose of 62.3mg of CBD was effective in reducing inflammation and alleviating pain in the affected joints⁵. This further backs up the belief that CBD oil could be huge for muscle recovery.

A trial study named the RECHARGE CBD Cream Clinical Trial was carried out to assess the effectiveness of CBD topical application on muscle tension and soreness. This study was carried out on 52 participants who were tasked with exercising at least three times a week for two weeks. Results gotten after the study showed that CBD cream effectively relieved post-exercise muscle tension and stiffness in most of the participants. (About 97%!)⁶

Another study was carried out on a population of elite athletes suffering from chronic pain. It was done by researchers with Louisiana State University. The study’s aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of a topical CBD product. In this study, the athletes were required to take 10mg of CBD twice daily for six weeks⁷.

After the study, all subjects reported feeling significantly less pain and a great improvement in the quality of life. Amazingly, only very minor adverse effects were reported and the most common one was skin dryness.

How To Use CBD Oil for Muscle Recovery

Now that we’ve established how useful CBD oil is for muscle recovery, lets explore some tips on how best to use CBD oil to achieve that muscle relaxation and improvement goals you have in mind.

Before you go ahead to pick a CBD oil product, the very first step to take is to consult your doctor. This is especially important if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking any medications.
If you intend on taking CBD in the oil form, it is recommended you place it under your tongue using a dropper and then allow it to sit for about 30 seconds. This will help ensure thorough absorption.
CBD oil balms and lotions are also a pretty good topical application choice. You can rub them in after your workout or later in the day. You’ll need to massage in small circular movements to ensure that the CBD oil has a chance to seep through your skin pores and elicit its effects⁸.
Consistency Is Key: If you start using CBD oil, it’s important you continue doing so. This will help ensure CBD builds up in your body over time, thereby making it more effective.
Start gradually.