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10 Ways to Use CBD for Increased Workout Intensity and Faster Recovery

July 24, 2019 03:38 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes

10 Ways to Use CBD for Increased Workout Intensity and Faster Recovery

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS), adults should indulge a weekly minimum of 150 minutes worth of aerobic activity in order to maintain a healthy weight. Although this is good advice, anyone who is aware of the phrase “no pain, no gain” will understand just how debilitating post-workout muscle strains, pains, and aches can be.

Every single day, over 10,000 Americans will find themselves inside a hospital, emergency care facility or doctor’s office with a workout-related injury. Even for those who are lucky enough not to wind up in a hospital, muscle strains and tension can make exercise unbearable.

Discomfort and injuries arise once the body responds to the intensity of a workout. Physiological processes, such as cardiovascular performance and motor functions, may fall out of balance unless the body is indulged with or is producing an adequate amount of cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are the cannabis plant’s naturally-occurring chemicals and there are hundreds of them. For this post, we will take a look at a cannabinoid that is on track to earn the industry $12 billion in annual sales for the U.S. cannabis industry by 2024.

Why use CBD as part of a workout routine?

CBD, or ‘cannabidiol’ as scientists would call it, is a primary constituent of hemp and cannabis. It is not an intoxicating chemical and therefore will not leave you feeling ‘stoned’, ‘baked’ or ‘high’. Instead, it will deliver your body a dose of therapeutic goodness, devoid of any overly sedating or intoxicating effects.

Some of the NFL‘s most notable players such as Eugene Monroe, Nate Jackson, and Joe McMahonare are proud users of CBD. Join them, why don’t you? In doing so, you can reap the ongoing health benefits of CBD, which include – but are not limited to – relaxation, pain relief, anti-inflammation, improved sleep, faster healing, and nausea and spasm relief.

You can start benefiting from the therapeutic properties of CBD when you buy broad-spectrum solutions and pesticide-free oils online. There are plenty of reasons to introduce this non-intoxicating cannabinoid into your everyday life.

To get you inspired, we’ve made a list of 10 ways in which you can use CBD to enhance a workout routine:

Rub a topical solution on the injured area(s) – The great thing about CBD is that it can be infused into topical solutions that can be applied directly to the skin for localized relief. Mix some broad-spectrum oil with a carrier solution for use as an anti-inflammatory.
Inhale a CBD-rich vapor for swift pain relief – Inhalation is a method that is known for producing a rapid onset of effects. Combine CBD oil with some e-juice and vape on the move!
Take pre-workout supplements to support the ECS – Athletes of all kinds are trying out CBD supplements for sports recovery, which usually come in the form of capsules, but are also available in dissolvable powders. They stimulate the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to nourish the body and encourage faster healing.
Use CBD as a post-workout supplement – Aside from working as a pre-workout supplement, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for soothing tired muscles after a heavy session in the gym, too!
Snack on CBD-infused treats for steady-releasing effects – Ingesting CBD will magnify the effects and ensure they last longer. The options when it comes to cannabinoid-enriched edibles are endless. Scour the web and you’ll find plenty of choices.
Use a tincture beneath the tongue for fast absorption into the bloodstream – This is one of the most popular methods of consumption because it’s convenient and allows for controlled dosing. Moreso, the CBD oils contained in tinctures can even be flavored to suit your preferences. Simply drop onto/beneath your tongue and let the CBD work its magic.
Make a CBD bath bomb – Recharge your batteries and give your muscles a chance to really heal by dropping a CBD-infused bath bomb into the tub. Mix some broad-spectrum CBD oil with some Epsom salts, baking soda, cornstarch and the essential oils of your choice, before allowing it to set in a mold!
Dab CBD oil for instant relief from pain – Ever tried dabbing? (No, not the dance move.) If you like to inhale your cannabinoids, set up a dab rig and fill your lungs with CBD. The relief experienced by dabbing concentrated forms of cannabis will emerge almost instantly.
Combine CBD oil with a protein smoothie – Hydrate yourself, replenish lost electrolytes and give your body a dollop of CBD’s healing goodness by mixing a broad spectrum oil into a protein-packed smoothie. Mix the oil with honey, frozen bananas, some frozen strawberries and almond milk for a post-workout boost.
Spray some CBD oil on your tongue – Perhaps one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of CBD without vaping or using tinctures is by spritzing some oil on your tongue. Spray bottles will evenly distribute the oil’s particles to maximize the cannabinoid’s bioavailability.

What You Should Know About CBD and Drug Testing

The standard of technology used to test an individual for suspected cannabis consumption poses a challenge for consumers and law enforcement officials alike. Urinalysis testing – which involves urinating into a container and having the liquid tested for cannabinoids – is a tried-and-tested way of determining whether or not someone has cannabinoids in their system.

However, there are more than 100 different cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant. Since some (like CBD) are non-intoxicating, testing for all of them is not exactly fair. Although extremely rare, some users could potentially fail a drug test if they use a full-spectrum oil that contains traces of THC.

To reduce the chances of a drug test producing a false positive, request a hair follicle test or blood test. You may also want to steer clear of full-spectrum oils and instead, choose a THC-free oil such as a broad-spectrum solution.

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Posted by Bethan Rose

Bethan Rose is a cannabis advocate, writer and traveler with no permanent address. Currently based in Bali, she can usually be found curating cannabis content on her hammock.