Athletics can bring a lot of stress on people engaged in various sports and workouts. The search for the best treatment on muscle pain, inflammation and sprain has led many people to find CBD wellness products as an alternative medication to alleviate pain.
With the different CBD types and forms available in the market today, you might get confused as to what product to buy in order to reap the full benefits of Cannabis. From softgels and CBD oils to salves and sports creams, these hemp derivatives have been fast becoming a popular go-to medication for people looking for an alternative therapy.
Is CBD good for athletes?
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the 100 plus components of hemp-based cannabis which has been recognized for its potential benefits to one’s well-being. There are many potential benefits that cannabidiols offer to sports professionals including as an alternative to addictive painkillers, improvement of appetite and sleep and other conditions that may affect their performance.
As more studies are still being conducted on Cannabidiols, earlier research suggested promising results on the potential of CBD as an alternative medication. Athletes may find CBD-infused products as a probable remedy for pain and inflammation.
Types of CBD wellness products: Which is ideal for athletes?
Although CBD shows the potential as an effective therapeutic alternative, there are some things you need to know first before purchasing any CBD product.
Pros and Cons of each CBD type
From relieving pain to improving sleep, CBD is fast becoming a popular alternative to improving anyone’s wellness.
There are 3 different types of CBD products sold in the market today: The Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and the CBD Isolates. it is important to know how each of these types can affect you as an athlete:
1. Full Spectrum
The most common type of CBD products is the full spectrum CBD. These hemp-derived types of CBD product contain THC - psychoactive component of cannabis which gives the user the feeling of “high”.
Typically, the THC content in full spectrum CBD is only around 0.03 percent, low enough to not cause the “high” feeling. The entourage effect happens when CBD combines with other cannabis components such as terpenes and flavonoids. With this action, the benefits from full spectrum surpasses the efficacy of CBD isolate.
Although full spectrums are said to be effective in relieving pain and inflammation, it might not be suitable for athletes because of THC. Although its THC content is only around 0.03%, it may show up on drug tests and affect your eligibility in joining sports competitions.
2. Broad Spectrum
Broad spectrum is the next type of CBD products that demonstrates similar benefits as those of the full spectrum. The only difference between these two types is that broad spectrum may have less or even 0% content of THC.
Even in the absence of THC, broad spectrums still retains its potential to improve wellness. Advocates claim that broad spectrum CBD exhibit the same action like the entourage effect and its remedy to pain. Without THC, broad spectrums could be an ideal product for athletes.
3. CBD Isolate
CBD isolates are the purest forms of just CBD which does not contain THC nor any of the other terpenes and flavonoids. They are sold in crystal form, in addition to all the other forms you may find broad and full spectrum. As compared with full spectrum and broad spectrum types, CBD isolates may not give you the same level of benefits that you expect, as they only isolate the CBD which therefore eliminates the benefits of the entourage effect.
As more athletes began to discover the potential of cannabis products in helping them alleviate pain and inflammation, there are still many studies needed to prove its efficacy.
For now, the promising results suggested by early research on CBD have stirred the interest of many people including athletes. Anecdotal evidence collected from recent studies were enough for many advocates to consider CBD as a wonder medication.
