Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are constantly seeking ways to enhance their performance, reduce recovery time, and alleviate pain. As the popularity of CBD (cannabidiol) continues to soar, many fitness enthusiasts are turning to this natural remedy for its numerous benefits. But when is the best time to take CBD – before or after a workout? Let's dive into the science and benefits of CBD to help you make an informed decision on when to incorporate it into your fitness routine.
Understanding CBD
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not produce a "high" and has gained traction for its potential therapeutic properties. Some of the most reported benefits include helping reduce inflammation and pain, as well as promoting relaxation.
CBD & the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
CBD interacts with our body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for regulating a variety of physiological processes such as mood, appetite, pain, and immune responses. The ECS is a complex cell-signaling network found throughout the body and consists of three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG, are naturally produced in our body and function as messengers that modulate various physiological processes. These compounds bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are strategically placed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in all our organs.
When endocannabinoids interact with these receptors, they help maintain balance or “homeostasis” within the body. Enzymes, on the other hand, are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they have fulfilled their function. The ECS plays a crucial role in our overall physical and mental health and well-being, and CBD enhances its function significantly. CBD influences the ECS by interacting with its receptors, namely CB1 and CB2. While CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and regulate neurological functions, CB2 receptors are more abundant in the immune system and peripheral nervous system and tissues. By interacting with receptors in these areas, CBD can help alleviate stress, reduce inflammation, and provide relief from physical discomfort and stress enabling athletes to achieve peak performance and rapid recovery.
CBD & Your Workout: Timing Matters for Athletes
As the world of fitness continues to evolve, athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike are on the lookout for ways to enhance their performance, recovery, and overall well-being. One substance that has gained popularity in recent years is Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. With an array of potential benefits, many are wondering when the best time is to take CBD in relation to their workout routine. In this article, we'll explore whether it's better to consume CBD before or after your workout, and what benefits you can expect.
Benefits of CBD for Athletes
Before diving into the optimal timing for CBD consumption, let's take a moment to discuss the potential benefits of CBD for those who are into fitness:
- Reduced inflammation: CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in reducing exercise-induced inflammation and discomfort.
- Relief from soreness and inflammation: Research suggests that CBD can be an effective anti-inflammatory, helping athletes manage muscle soreness and joint pain.
- Improved sleep quality: Adequate sleep is crucial for recovery, and because it facilitates “homeostasis” or physical and mental balance, CBD has been linked to improved sleep quality, which can help athletes better recover from their workouts.
- Reduced stress: CBD has shown promise in reducing anxiety and stress, which can be beneficial for those who experience performance-related anxiety or have high-stress lifestyles.
CBD Before a Workout
Taking CBD before a workout may offer several benefits:
- Increased focus and motivation: Some users report that CBD helps them feel more focused and motivated, which can be helpful for getting in the right mindset for a challenging workout.
- Reduced pre-workout anxiety: If you experience anxiety before a competition or intense workout, taking CBD beforehand may help calm your nerves and ease your mind.
- Enhanced pain management: Using CBD before a workout may help to mitigate some of the discomfort and pain that can occur during exercise.
- Sustained “clean” energy. If your energy level is low, CBD works to bring you up to that point of balance, essentially helping you maintain your energy without the spikes and crashes of energy drinks.
Use SummaMix™ Before Your Workouts
If you are used to using a pre-workout before your training session, I recommend adding SummaMix™ before you hit the gym. SummaMix™ is a delicious daily powdered drink mix that features a trifecta of all-natural nutrients. In addition to premium, award-winning Lifter CBD, the mix also blends two gold-standard nutrients proven to enhance and improve vision, focus, and cognitive function. Featuring Lexaria Bioscience’s special DehydraTECH™ technology, the CBD in SummaMix™ is embedded in long-chain fatty acids. This acts as a carrier for the CBD, and bypasses the liver, resulting in faster onset and higher bio-absorption. SummaMix™ starts working within a few minutes after ingestion and is up to 10X more effective than competing brands since it bypasses the liver on the first pass.
CBD After a Workout
Incorporating CBD into your post-workout routine can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Reduced inflammation: As mentioned earlier, CBD's anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce post-workout inflammation, which may contribute to a faster recovery.
- Enhanced relaxation and recovery: Taking CBD after a workout can promote relaxation and help your body transition into a recovery state more efficiently.
- Improved sleep quality: Consuming CBD post-workout may aid in achieving better sleep, which is essential for muscle recovery and overall well-being.
Use SummaTape™ After Your Workout to Recover
If you're looking for a game-changer in your fitness journey, it's time to say hello to kinesiology tape. Imagine a lightweight, therapeutic tape that's designed to feel just like your skin, offering support and enhancing your range of motion. Not only does it boost performance by providing your muscles and ligaments with support during workouts, but with its unique blend of CBD and menthol, SummaTape™ can greatly reduce your recovery time, especially if you suffered sprains or other light injuries from over-exertion. The menthol offers a fast-acting, calming cooling sensation that also facilitates better blood flow to the damaged areas. And the CBD provides direct relief to joints, muscles, and ligaments in the area where the tape is applied. The result is superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared to creams and standard kinesiology tapes.
SummaForte™ Delivers Peak Performance & Rapid Recovery for Athletes
The SummaForte™ difference is in our commitment to using the latest extraction and delivery technologies to ensure we can consistently meet customer expectations. That means clean and toxin-free extraction and ingredient delivery that is fast, effective, and most importantly good for your body. Our award-winning “Lifter” hemp is full of beneficial nutrients, including our CBD and 100+ other healthy compounds that work together to maintain a state of homeostasis - or balance - in the mind and body. Broad-spectrum hemp offers more restorative and therapeutic properties than isolate strains of cannabinoids.
Final Thoughts
Both pre-and post-workout CBD usage can offer athletes unique benefits, and the choice ultimately depends on your individual preferences and goals. Incorporating CBD prior to training can aid in reducing stress or pre-competition jitters, improving focus, and boosting overall performance. On the other hand, using it post-workout can help with muscle recovery, inflammation, and relaxation. It's essential to experiment with different forms of CBD and timing to find the right combination that works best for your body and fitness regimen. Thankfully SummaForte™ is here to give you premium CBD products to do just that!
