The global cannabidiol (CBD) market reached $5.18 billion in 2021. Between 2022 and 2030, it could grow by a CAGR of 16.8%, leading to a $22.05 billion industry. As the demand for CBD for health and wellness purposes increases, sales will continue to rise.
Are you thinking of using CBD for fitness purposes? Take the time to consider whether you want to use CBD for muscle recovery after workouts or before exercising first. Understanding how CBD can impact your weekly workout routine could help you crush your fitness goals.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about CBD for fitness, inflammation relief, and muscle recovery today!
What Is CBD?
First, let's cover the basics. What is cannabidiol, exactly?
Like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is a compound found in the cannabis Sativa plant. Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. In other words, it won't cause psychoactive effects like getting you high.
CBD is now available in various forms, including oils, skin creams, tablets, capsules, and consumables.
CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS); a cell-signaling system active in the human body. Your ECS is responsible for regulating different bodily processes, including:
Bone remodeling and growth
Appetite and digestion
Skin and nerve function
Inflammation
Motor control
Sleep
Liver function
Reproductive system function
Learning and memory
Mood
Chronic pain
Inflammation
Cardiovascular system function
Muscle formation
Together, these systems keep the body in a state of homeostasis, or balance.
To function properly, the ECS involves endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Endocannabinoids are made by your body and keep everything running smoothly. They bind with receptors to tell your ECS to take action as needed. Once an endocannabinoid's function is complete, enzymes break it down.
CBD might work by preventing these endocannabinoids from breaking down once their job is complete. As a result, they're able to have a prolonged, beneficial effect on the body.
Using CBD Pre-Workout
Before adding CBD to your weekly workout routine, consider your goals. Here are a few ways using CBD before workouts can benefit your routine.
Sleep Aid
Exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and drinking enough water aren't enough to improve your health and well-being. If you're setting fitness goals this year, make sure you're getting enough sleep, too. Adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Otherwise, a lack of sleep could have a negative impact on your mental and physical well-being.
Getting adequate sleep can:
Improve your mood
Protect your heart
Regulate your blood sugar levels
Improve your mental function
Restore your immune system
Ease stress
Stress is also important to athletic recovery. The body's ability to produce growth hormones is maximized while you sleep. These hormones help repair tissue and contribute to muscle growth.
Getting enough sleep each night can improve your athletic performance. Inadequate sleep, meanwhile, can increase your risk of injury and fatigue.
Remember, the ECS regulates your ability to sleep. Taking CBD can help you sleep at night, giving you an energy boost for the next day's workout. It can also aid the body's natural muscle recovery process to ensure your body is in the best possible state.
Improved Focus
You could struggle to maximize the effects of your workouts if you're struggling to focus. CBD could help enhance brain focus. It could give you an energy boost while improving cognitive functions and memory. Enhancing your focus and energy levels will help improve your workouts.