CBD for Workout Recovery: The Official Guide

Everything you need to know about using CBD for workout recovery and sorness.
By Dr. Leslie Mudd

Anyone engaged in a regular exercise routine knows all about the pain that comes from exercise-induced inflammation. The whole point of working out is to stretch muscle tissues so they grow back bigger and stronger. 

The results are worth it, but the process can be painful. As they say: no pain, no gain! That’s why so many people are turning to CBD for pain relief as a key component of their workout routine. 

How CBD Helps Relieve Pain

How does CBD support the pain relief that comes from exercise-induced inflammation? More research is needed, but preliminary studies suggest that CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation at the source of the pain – like your quads the day after “leg day.” 

Pain that comes from workout recovery is not caused by disease, but rather by inflammation caused by exercise-induced muscle damage, or EIMD, which causes delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS. 

In a study published by the International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health in 2020, researchers concluded that “CBD appears to have a significant influence on muscle soreness associated with EIMD DOMS when consumed immediately after strenuous exercise.”

The Best CBD Products for Pain

If you’re considering CBD as part of your workout routine, the next question is: which method of CBD is best for you. Many people choose a combination of CBD gummies and CBD topicals for pain relief, but make sure to look for full spectrum CBD that contains a legal amount of THC. 

THC-free CBD oils made from CBD isolate or “broad spectrum” extract may not be as effective at reducing exercise-induced muscle soreness as full spectrum CBD with THC included. So if relief from exercise induced inflammation is what you’re after, stick to the full spectrum CBD!

Conclusion

If you are looking for a safe and effective way to treat body pain associated with exercise-induced muscle damage, which may cause delayed onset muscle pain, then consider CBD as a way to naturally support your workout recovery. 

References 

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