CBD topicals are creams and roll-ons infused with CBD extract mixed in. These products are different from other types of CBD options because they are meant to be used topically, not ingested. The skin is actually a massive organ that can absorb medications and other substances quickly and effectively. This has the benefit of getting the CBD directly to the source where it is needed quickly, without having to wait for it to metabolize through the stomach.
How Do CBD Topicals Work?
CBD works by interacting with endocannabinoid receptors in the body. What makes topicals unique is the fact CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin. Topical absorption happens quickly and the effects are almost immediate. As well, CBD topicals may contain other ingredients that are good for maintaining healthy skin and relieving pain, things like aloe and menthol.
CBD And Athletes
An athlete’s body is subjected to enormous amounts of stress. Exercise and working out increases their strength, agility, and endurance, but the very act of all this training produces wear and tear on their body. This physical trauma results in pain and injuries, which requires effective pain relief.
Until recently, athletes had to turn to over-the-counter medications. Ibuprofen and Naproxen sodium (both anti-inflammatories) are a few of the many medications athletes could take. But these medications are meant to be used on occasion, not regularly. They can end up doing more harm to an athlete than any pain relief benefits they provide. There are many examples of customers using some of these pain relief medications that fall into an addiction to opioids. This is a national concern. It is unfortunate to add that overdoses of these medications can prove fatal.
CBD Legality
Because CBD is considered less harmful than over-the-counter pain relief products, enthusiasm for the product has been growing in the athletic world. However, many were not clear on the legality of using CBD products. That uncertainty was removed in 2018 by the WADA (World anti-Doping Agency) excluding CBD from prohibited substances, a decision quickly followed by the USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency). But it is important to recognize only CBD was removed from the prohibited list. THC is still prohibited, which means athletes must take care to avoid using CBD products that contain THC.
How CBD Topicals Benefit Athletes
There are several benefits that athletes can get when turning to CBD topicals. Here is an overview of the best benefits athletes can rely on.
Pain Relief
The capacity for CBD products to alleviate pain due to working out or training is now well-known. Topical CBD is available in pain-relief creams, pain-relief sprays, and pain-relief roll-ons. When compared to over-the-counter pain relief products, athletes are likely to find noticeable differences. While these other pain relief options no doubt relieve body and muscle pain, their use can come with a heavy price for the athlete’s body and mind. Such medications can lead to foggy thinking and give a sense of ability, but only temporarily. This masking of symptoms is not the way to go.
Anti-inflammatory medications, when consumed regularly over long periods of time or in high doses can lead to renal damage. Prolonged usage of these products is possibly responsible for heart attacks and strokes.
CBD topicals, on the other hand, do not have such serious long-term effects. Used topically, CBD will have no effect on the athlete’s thinking, so no fogginess as in some over-the-counter products. CBD does not relieve the pain, but rather encourages the brain to release anandamide, a natural endocannabinoid produced naturally by the body. This is what relieves the athlete’s pain.
Probably the best advantage to using CBD topicals is that they work fast. Since it is absorbed through the skin, there is very little impact on the athlete’s digestive system. The product is introduced precisely where it is needed and begins to work immediately. There is no lag waiting for the pain reliever to be digested before it can become effective.
Reduced Fatigue And Improved Recovery
Athletes go through rigorous training sessions, before an event as well as on a regular schedule, to keep themselves in shape. And while these workouts make their muscles stronger, increase flexibility, and add to their stamina, the workouts themselves are hard on their bodies. The stress may cause oxidative damage, while the friction of muscles rubbing together constantly can lead to a condition called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Topical CBD products assist athletes in recovering from this damage. This lets athletes get back to their sport faster, and perform better when they do.
How CBD Topicals Help With Chronic Aches And Pains
Not everyone is a professional athlete, but everyone will experience aches and pains in their lifetime. Most of us go to the cupboard and grab some ibuprofen, but for chronic pain this is no more viable than an athlete using over-the-counter drugs too often. The benefits of a CBD topical, either a cream or a roll-on, ensure you do not have to ingest anything to get the same pain relief. In fact, there are no known side-effects to CBD topicals, other than sometimes the other ingredients used may irritate some people’s skin if they have a sensitivity.
Topicals absorb through the skin and set to work immediately on the soreness or ache, using your body’s own pain suppressing abilities by enhancing their effectiveness. Over-the-counter pain medications can be harsh on the stomach and kidneys, even if only used occasionally. CBD topicals present no such danger.
CBD extracts, the active ingredient in CBD topicals, is a legal and safe alternative to over-the-counter medications for athletes and everyone else. These topicals provide quick, targeted pain relief without needing to be ingested.
