Does CBD Boost Sports Performance?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It has recently become popular among athletes as a potential supplement to enhance sports performance. More research is needed to fully understand its effects. This blog post will explore the current scientific evidence on CBD’s role in boosting athletic performance. And how its use should be considered by academics and practitioners in the field of sports medicine.
Evidence for CBD’s Potential Benefits for Sports Performance
In recent years, there have been several studies suggesting that CBD may have beneficial effects on sports performance. For example, one study found that when athletes consumed 600 mg/day of CBD for 7 days, they saw an increase in their speed and power during exercise testing compared to those who did not take CBD. Additionally, a laboratory study of rats were given doses of CBD over a period of 8 weeks. The rats showed improved running endurance compared to those who were not given any treatment.
Another area where CBD might be beneficial is in reducing inflammation associated with exercise-induced muscle damage. A number of studies have found that taking 100-500 mg/day of CBD can reduce levels of pro-inflammatory proteins such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha after exercise. It has been suggested that taking 15 mg/day of CBD can reduce oxidative stress caused by intense physical activity due to its antioxidant properties.
Finally, some evidence suggests that taking CBD may help improve cognitive function and mood during high intensity workouts or long duration activities. A few small studies have found that taking 50-150 mg/day of CBD can improve focus and concentration during demanding tasks or physical activities such as running or cycling. Moreover, one study even reported improved mood after exercising when participants took 25 mg/day of CBD for 10 days prior to working out.
Check out our blog “How CBD Effects Mental Health” to learn more about how CBD can influence your mood.
Should Athletes Use CBD to Boost Sports Performance?
The findings from these studies suggest that there may be potential benefits from incorporating cannabidiol into a regular training regimen for athletes looking to optimize their performance. However, more research is needed before we can make any definitive conclusions about its effectiveness. In particular, more human studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which it exerts it effects on athletic performance and how long these effects last over time with continued use. As such, academics and practitioners in the field should consider further studying the potential benefits of using cannabidiol as an ergogenic aid for athletes looking to get an edge in their sport or activity.
As always, if you have any questions about starting your cannabinoid therapy journey, please do not hesitate to contact us. Message us here or give us a jingle at one of our locations!