It is no secret that many athletes use CBD cannabidiol, often opting for the potent 10xPure 1000 CBD product from CTFO. Doctors and celebrities frequently praise this miracle plant, endorsing it publicly almost weekly. But why do athletes take CBD?

Exercising puts a lot of stress on the body, which stimulates the body’s adaptation response and increases performance. Athletes often suffer from pain, inflammation, and stiffness, especially if they haven’t exercised in a long time.

For veteran athletes, trauma and prolonged wear and tear can lead to injuries and significant pain. While traditional pain medications work well, they also pose significant risks. The world, particularly the West, is facing an opioid addiction and overdose epidemic. In their search for improved sports recovery and safer pain management, athletes are turning to cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD, used alone or with THC, relieves pain and reduces inflammation without the dangers associated with NSAIDs or opioids. For those who don't know, cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient found in hemp that has many medicinal properties without any side effects. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a “high,” making it safe for use by all population groups, including children.

Legality of CBD

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) unbanned CBD at the beginning of 2018, allowing athletes to use CBD in or out of competition without fear of violating doping rules. On December 20, 2018, the President of the United States signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, making CBD legal throughout the United States. Since that date, CBD has no longer been classified as a dangerous substance.

These changes refer to CBD only, not to its psychoactive cousin THC. Therefore, athletes in competition should use CBD isolate, which is the purest form of CBD with less than 0.3% THC. A product contains CBD isolate if the label says it contains 99% or more pure CBD. Pure CBD (CBD isolate) is available as CBD oil or a white powder. Athletes who purchase other grades of CBD risk testing positive for THC. Though WADA is now more lenient concerning the urinary threshold of THC, it is still better to avoid the risk of violating doping regulations.

How CBD Works in the Body

Scientists have discovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which modulates the activity of neurons. The body produces cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids, and CBD resembles one of them. Within the ECS, there are receptors such as CB1 and CB2 that interact with both endocannabinoids and phyto-cannabinoids. When CBD binds to CB1 receptors, it affects the central nervous system, and when it binds to CB2 receptors, it reduces inflammation.

The main role of the ECS seems to be maintaining homeostasis by keeping neurotransmitter levels in check. Consuming CBD supplements enhances its activities.

The 6 Benefits of CBD for Athletes

1. Pain Relief: Cannabis has been known for pain relief for ages. Even before the ban in the 1930s, doctors prescribed it for pain. It is effective for many types of pain, including stiff joints and musculoskeletal pain from exercising. Despite insufficient scientific evidence, CBD appears to effectively relieve pain for many athletes.

2. Safer Alternative to NSAIDs: Athletes take a lot of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Unfortunately, they are not as safe as once believed. Long-distance runners are particularly advised to avoid them due to the risk of renal damage. For short-term or frequent workouts, NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. CBD offers a safer alternative with almost no side effects.

3. Safer Alternative to Opioids: Opioid pain medications are highly effective for pain management but carry a huge risk of addiction and overdose. According to the CDC, opioids were involved in 42,000 deaths in 2016 and at least 47,000 deaths in 2017 in the US alone. Athletes should consider taking CBD for pain management to avoid addiction and overdosing. While CBD may not be as effective as opioids for acute high-intensity pain, it is effective for long-term pain management when used alone or with other medications. There is no known risk of addiction or overdose.

4. Reduce Inflammation: A little inflammation is normal and may be good for athletes, but too much inflammation delays recovery and hurts performance. CBD helps reduce inflammation by binding to CB2 receptors and reducing the immune response after a hard workout.

5. Settles the Gut: Inflammation in the intestines causes discomfort and forces many endurance athletes to drop out of races. Through CB1 and CB2 receptors in the intestines, CBD can reduce underlying inflammation that contributes to gut discomfort during or after exercise.

6. Better Sleep: CBD improves the quality and quantity of sleep and relieves anxiety. Good sleep leads to better performance, so athletes are advised to use CBD to relieve anxiety and sleep better.

How to Use CBD

Athletes can ingest CBD through oils, pills, capsules, sports drinks, recovery drinks, and CBD water. They can also inhale vapor, spray into the mouth, place tinctures or drops under the tongue, or apply topical creams and lotions. Ingested CBD takes longer to take effect, while topical creams, sublingual drops, tinctures, and vaping are faster.

CBD products are not well-regulated, so dosage can be tricky. Manufacturers recommend starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it until the desired effect is achieved. Athletes should ensure they use high-quality CBD to avoid violating doping regulations. No athlete should change their supplement regime without proper research and consultation.

Notable Athletes Who Use CBD

- NFL retiree Terrell Davis

- Competitive surfer Mason Ho

- Triathlon athlete Andrew Talansky

- UFC fighter Gina Mazany

- Mountain biker Teal Stetson-Lee

- Olympic medalist Devin Logan

- Former NBA star Lamar Odom

If you're looking for pure and natural CBD, we recommend 10xPure 1000 CBD. To learn more about this natural way of healing, go [here](https://cbdpost.myctfo.com).

FDA DISCLAIMER NOTICE: Here at Healthy Hacks, we may have certain products listed, reviewed, or suggested on the healthyhacks.co website that have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Any products reviewed, spotlighted, or mentioned in the articles or advertisements on this website (healthyhacks.co) are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The statements on the Healthy Hacks website are for educational purposes only.