A Guide to CBD For Sports Injuries

A Guide to CBD For Sports Injuries : An Injury is the last thing any professional athlete (or sportsperson) would want to deal with. They must also recover as quickly as possible if they do get injured and be able to get back to the field. Although athletes previously depended on prescription pain medications such as opioids to treat and manage inflammation, pain, and other injury symptoms, studies have shown opioids to be addictive.

Many athletes have thus created opioid dependency, with several suffering many adverse effects due to opioid use. For this reason, most athletes have turned to holistic ways to treat sports injuries. CBD is one of the most preferred options for it is a safer, effective, and non-addictive option. CBD is also readily available from trusted and reliable suppliers online like cbdsupplyuk.co.uk/collections/lvwell-cbd.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound mainly found in the cannabis plant, among many other cannabinoids. According to research, the cannabis Sativa plant alone holds more than 80 known cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being the most popular. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, while THC is known for its mind-altering properties. CBD was approved for seizure treatment in the United States, further growing its popularity. The compound (CBD) is extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD contains antipsychotic and anxiolytic properties that have proven to be effective on humans and pets. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body to restore the normal functioning of various processes. It is also believed to help trigger the normal production and release of hormones in the body, including dopamine and endorphins. CBD thus helps the endocannabinoid system to regulate many biological functions and processes. These include relaxing, sleeping, energy levels, hunger, pain, excitement, and stress.

Common Sports Injuries

Injuries are quite common in the sports arena. Although over-the-counter medication may come in handy in managing most injuries, CBD is slowly growing in popularity here. This is because CBD is effective and packs many other health benefits. The most common sports injuries include:

Sprains: Sprains occur when you strain, twist, rip or sprain a ligament or two. The sprained part will show signs of inflammation, is painful, and may limit mobility.
Achilles tendon injuries: Injuries to the Achilles tendon are quite common among athletes. The Achilles tendon links the heel to the calf muscle, with injuries to the same causing Achilles tendinitis.
Jumper’s knee: Patellar tendonitis or jumpers’ knee is an injury caused by excessive jumping. This injury occurs when the tissue connecting the shin bone and kneecap is inflamed or injured. Jumper’s knee is most common among volleyball and basketball players.
Rotator cuff injuries: This type of injury is prevalent among baseball and tennis players and swimmers who use their shoulders to the maximum. An overload or unnatural shoulder blade movements causes inflammation and injury, hence rotator cuff injuries.
Runner’s knee: This injury is common among marathon runners. This injury occurs when there’s an overload on the muscles and ligaments, especially due to repetitive movement of the legs in the same manner. Runners and cyclists are also prone to these injuries.
Strains: Strains mainly happen when muscular tissue is overextended. These injuries are common with leaping, sprinting, lifting, and changing directions swiftly.
Tennis elbow: This injury may be caused by excessive use of the elbow. Tennis and golf players are the most susceptible to this type of injury. Inflamed tendons cause persistent discomfort making it almost impossible to make a perfect shot.

CBD And Sports Injuries: How Beneficial Is It?

Pain Relief
CBD has analgesic properties that have proven to be effective in combating pain. The best part about this is that there’s little to no risk of addiction or overdose, making it a safer pain treatment option compared to prescription pills.
Boosts Post-Workout Recovery
Athletes and sportspersons have to take on strenuous workout routines to stay fit and competitive in the field. Some of these workout routines cause severe damage to microscopic muscle fibers and tissues, leading to muscular stiffness and discomfort due to inflammation. CBD can help boost post-workout recovery as well as reduce inflammation. All one has to do is apply CBD cream or spray on their muscle or affected area.
Treats Chronic Encephalopathy
Contact sports have a relatively high risk of head-brain injuries and concussions. These injuries are commonly known as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. According to an article published by the American Medical Association Journal in 2017, more than 100 NFL players had CTE before they died.
Restores Energy
It is common for athletes to feel fatigued after a day on the track or a lengthy workout. While many will turn to caffeine, energy drinks, or tablets to restore energy, more and more are turning to CBD. This is because CBD triggers faster restoration of energy by the brain naturally. This is because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and also triggers increased neuron response and dopamine production, thus improving alertness.
Boosts Collagen Production (Healing Broken Bones)
Many athletes suffer from broken bones. This is one of the most debilitating injuries any athlete can have. While state-of-the-art medical attention can help improve the healing process, CBD aids boost collagen production for bone repair. Taking CBD can thus help improve recovery from broken bones, making it possible for one to get back on track.

Is CBD Safe?

CBD, unlike THC, is safe for human consumption. This is because it doesn’t have mind-altering properties making it safe even for young children. It would however be advisable to read the fine print before using CBD, especially if it is your first time. Be sure to talk to your physician if thinking of adding CBD to your daily regimen.

Is it Legal?

CBD is a legal product in most states in the United States. It was also removed from the list of banned drugs by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2018. Nevertheless, you cannot use CBD when playing in Major League baseball. It is also worth noting that CBD isolate will not make you test positive for THC. For this reason, you are safe off using CBD isolate than full-spectrum CBD that may contain traces of the prohibited compound similar to if you order legal delta-8 THC vape cartridges for example. It would also be advisable to look for a trusted and certified supplier when shopping for CBD. Only a certified CBD supplier can get you the best quality CBD free of THC and other compounds that could be flagged in a drug test.