CBD can be a great natural performance enhancing compound for a variety of reasons, here guest contributor Areyo Dadar gives us an insight into the benefits of CBD oil for vegan athletes.
For starters, CBD doesn’t show up on drug tests (if below 0.3% THC) – which makes it ideal for competing athletes; and it has the added benefit of speeding up recovery following intense workouts. Learn more about why CBD oil is great for vegan athletes:
What does CBD do for athletes?
There are several distinct reasons why any fitness enthusiast might want to try CBD. Here’s why:
CBD relieves pain
Regular workouts almost always lead to muscle soreness, which is why you need to a way to speed up recovery. Muscle recovery can have a profound effect on your ability to sustain high intensity workouts and to build strength over time. Research shows that CBD uses the endocannabinoid system to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and to maximise performance.
CBD boosts endurance
There is a lot of research looking into how CBD can be used to boost performance especially before a competition. Brain receptors such as CB1 and CB2 are used to manage stress levels in the body, and using CBD reduces anxiety to the extent that performance is improved.
Taking CBD just hours before a public event has been shown to reduce anxiety for people with conditions such as social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and other similar conditions. The same effect can be used by athletes to enhance performance.
CBD is an excellent alternative to prescription pills
Prescription pain meds cause all sorts of dependencies including altering hormonal levels, which in turn interfere with performance. Using CBD ensures hormonal balance including reducing cortisol levels – which is important because cortisol slows down muscle growth.
Why are vegan athletes using CBD?
As an athlete, you know how important diet is to performance, and this is why a large number of athletes have adopted a vegan diet. If animal-based products are killing your performance, then consider using hemp-derived CBD to keep energy levels high and to maintain homeostasis.
Hemp is the best source of pure CBD – and this is because it provides an array of nutrients that assist in building speed, strength, and mental focus. Here’s why CBD is particularly useful to athletes:
CBD gives you the perfect 1:3 ratio of omega-3s, including omega-6 fatty acids. These are great for your heart health, blood pressure, and for boosting your immune system. Furthermore, CBD works within the endocrine system to balance the release of essential hormones and to maintain homeostasis.
CBD is a protein source. Hemp plants contain all 20 amino acids; which makes it a complete protein chain. Many of the amino acids you get through diet are found in CBD.
CBD has B-complex vitamins including Vitamin B6, B12, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. As a vegan, you probably don’t have enough sources of complex vitamins, which is why CBD should play such a vital role in your workouts.
CBD contains high amounts of iron. Vegetarians need an animal-free source of iron, and if you’re not keen on taking iron supplements, then taking CBD oil or consuming other CBD products can keep your hemoglobin levels intact and assist with oxygen transportation.
CBD is a powerful antioxidant and assists your body by supplying Vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids, and other properties that help in eliminating toxins. In addition, it helps to get rid of free radicals, which as you know, can slow down performance and leave you susceptible to disease and infection as the cells become damaged.
CBD for athletes
The amazing thing about CBD is that it can be taken in any form including powder, supplements, oils, and dozens of tasty CBD edibles. Some users prefer to take it as a pill, while others prefer to apply it topically to the muscles and joints following a workout. Topical creams can penetrate the skin to deliver essential nutrients to the body including vitamins and minerals – and it has the added benefit of improving skin condition and preventing acne.
Here are some positive benefits of CBD:
- A big source of iron;
- A complete protein source;
- Pain reliever;
- Boost endurance;
- Works as an antioxidant;
- Energy boosters.
There is a growing number of professional athletes who use CBD to prevent muscle soreness, and the fact that medical research shows no downside to using the compound (despite links to cannabis), this has led to a shift in perception as more people embrace the product. Start using CBD before and after your workouts to enhance performance and to reduce inflammation.
Areyo Dadar
Guest Article
CBD does not have any big impact on athletic performance (like we want to have), but it can be a useful sports food supplement, along with others important such as creatine, omega 3, etc.
Thank you for explaining how CBD can help boost endurance which is beneficial to athletes before their games. My husband is a soccer player and he needs a lot of endurance for his games. Maybe I will suggest to him that he use CBD to help boost his endurance.
It was interesting to know that CBD helps to decrease stress and to sleep better. One of my friends has been tressed out because of personal problems. I will recommend him to try CBD to help him sleep better to relax.
CBD is NOT a protein source. The hemp SEED is, but CBD which is produced by the plant in the leaves and stems is a single lipid (fat) molecule. please get your science straight.
AND does not contain Iron or vitamins…
sigh….
but HEMP SEEDS do.
and Hemp seed OIL contains all the Omegas that you talk about.
You are reporting on the nutritional composition of hemp and not CBD oil. There is a big difference between broadly speaking about the nutrients in hemp, and an extract of the plant. CBD oil doesn’t contain significant protein, omega fatty acids or vitamins and minerals. These claims are related to hemp seed oil. Even hemp seed oil loses a significant amount of its amino acid content in extraction from the seeds.