Exercise and athletic activities may cause muscles to wear down and get inflamed. Slight damages to muscle fibres are not uncommon during strenuous activities—no worries, as the body has its way of repairing the damaged muscle. Repairing the muscle would increase its size and strength, allowing it to work out more and do similar athletic activities. This is where CBD for muscle recovery can help.
According to CBDNorth, muscle recovery is usually painful due to inflammation in the muscles, and pain hampers one’s productivity. There are many remedies to get around this predicament.
Despite advances in modern medicine, natural remedies for muscle recovery are still a viable course of action. Let’s consider cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant, usually CBD oil. (CBD differs from THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical that induces psychoactive effects.)
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
CBD has a lot of benefits, reportedly. In ancient times, marijuana was used as a pain reliever. Scientific research has shown that CBD is one of the many marijuana-derived compounds that can alleviate pain.
According to the U.S. National Institute of Health, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a bodily system that regulates many functions, including pain, can be affected by CBD due to changes in ECS endocannabinoid receptors.
Aside from relieving joint, muscle or back pain, CBD can also be used (with medical supervision) in alleviating cancer-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, and some types of seizures. CBD’s positive effects on mental health are linked to its interaction with the brain’s serotonin receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behaviour.
Given these health benefits, let’s dig deeper into how CBD is made readily available. One such example is CBD oil.
Usage
Before proceeding, the CBD is federal-level legal in the U.S., thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill signed by President Trump. The bill allowed programs to pilot study “industrial hemp” that should be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and respective state departments of agriculture. While there are restrictions on growing the plant, the bill generally allows the “sale, transport, or possession” of products with hemp-derived substances if their production is done legally. It is advised to check with your state for any possible restrictions.
In short words, CBD oil is made using basic oil extraction methods: the hemp plant is heated in the presence of carrier oil of similar affinity (e.g. olive oil) to extract the desired chemical substance.
CBD oil is generally safe to use. It can be placed under the tongue for a faster effect. The common dosage is 1-6 milligrams of oil daily for every 5 kilograms of body weight. Increasing the dose by 5-10 mg is okay. The pain level is a major factor in determining the right dose for you. Generally, there is no need to increase dosage if the resulting pain alleviation is enough. However, we advise users to consult their physician before taking CBD, especially if they take other drugs. Despite this precaution, CBD oil is generally a safe way to make muscle recovery easier for everyone, especially professional athletes and fitness buffs.
