How Can CBD Help in Muscle Recovery?
CBD is having a moment. These days, it is impossible to go anywhere without running across or learning about cannabidiol (CBD). Creams, tinctures, relief rubs, organic CBD gummies, you name it, and many alternatives are available, along with solid claims about CBD for muscle recovery.
CBD is among the hundreds of cannabinoid substances found in cannabis plants. After tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the "high" associated with marijuana, it is the second most common cannabinoid. On the contrary, in hemp plants, CBD is present in abundance, and THC is less than around 0.3%.
But given the excitement and hundreds of products available on the market, is CBD for muscle recovery truly worth the hype? Let's discover it in this blog.
What causes muscle soreness?
You are probably familiar with muscle pain that strikes you after a challenging or new workout. Have you ever been puzzled as to why your muscles seem to be screaming at you a day or two following a vigorous workout? It might be because of Delayed Onset Muscular Soreness, sometimes known as DOMS. DOMS is muscle soreness that develops after intense activity.
It happens following an unfamiliar and highly strenuous workout, the first time a newbie trainee exercises, the activation of an untrained muscle, or an experienced trainee returning to exercise after a long time.
Muscle soreness, sensitivity, fatigue, stiffness, and cramping are among the symptoms, coupled with restricted mobility of the affected body area.
The minute tears in the muscles are what cause the pain in those with DOMS. Physiologists explain that these rips result from stretching muscle tissue beyond its normal range. Inflammation usually comes along with the pain.
What is the difference between muscle soreness and muscle pain?
Time is a crucial factor to consider when separating muscle soreness from pain. The length of natural pain resulting from physical exertion is usually a few days.
While soreness usually disappears after one to three days, pain could strike during or after vigorous exercise. Usually lasting more than three days, pain makes it challenging to carry out regular, everyday tasks.
How does CBD help with muscle recovery?
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Relaxes muscles
One of the first things you experience after a hard workout is sore joints and tight muscles. Thankfully, CBD's ability to interact with your endocannabinoid system can calm your muscles.
Scientists believe that the endocannabinoid system controls a number of body functions, including muscle function. CBD is thought to promote muscular relaxation by preventing the production of chemicals that cause muscle stiffness and spasms. Since the body and mind are intertwined, CBD and hemp intensive relief rub can help to relax the body by calming the brain.
A calm body and mind are also essential to a healthy sleep pattern.
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Helps reduce inflammation
Your body's immunological reaction to an irritant is inflammation. Inflammation contributes to muscle healing by stressing and degrading muscle tissue in an effort to promote the growth of new muscle fibers. However, occasionally, your immune system may overreact and destroy the surrounding healthy tissue of the regenerating muscle.
In such cases, CBD's anti-inflammatory properties can help. Some athletes use topical and edible forms of CBD for muscle recovery.
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Supports muscle fiber regeneration
CBD has the ability to improve sleep, which is one of the reasons people take it. After all, our bodies repair themselves during sleep when melatonin, a growth hormone that aids in muscle healing, is produced.
Numerous studies demonstrate that CBD increases the release of chemicals that improve mood and sleep, such as melatonin and serotonin.
Serotonin improves mood. CBD influences how chemical receptors in the brain use the serotonin that is already present in the system, even if it does not directly increase serotonin levels. Higher serotonin levels mean reduced anxiety and better sleep, ultimately enhancing muscle recovery.
How to take CBD for muscle recovery?
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Take it with recovery foods
Did you know that your diet and supplements can significantly affect how quickly you recover? In fact, by giving the body all the nutrients it needs, eating meals high in protein, electrolytes, and healthy fats can speed up the healing process.
You can enhance the healing process further with a CBD pain relief rub. For example, you can add a few drops of CBD tincture to your smoothie, salads, or fruit juices.
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Apply CBD topical at the affected area
Topical CBD refers to any CBD-infused topical product, such as CBD pain relief rub. They also include components that are beneficial to your skin. For example, Sultan CBD pain relief rub contains Emu oil, which has many benefits for the skin. You can apply it in any location where you have localized pain.
For instance, apply hemp intensive relief rub to the regions of acute pain if you find that your knees are experiencing Delayed Onset Muscular Soreness (DOMS) after squatting. This will soothe the affected muscles.
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Include CBD in your daily routine
Taking CBD as a daily natural supplement is the most excellent way to help muscle recovery because CBD is cumulative. There are a ton of fantastic CBD products you can take regularly to support your active lifestyle, whether you prefer the form of CBD softgel capsules or gummies CBD.
Other methods of muscle recovery
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Stretching
Stretching is a great method to increase flexibility and a very effective approach to release muscle tension and lower your risk of injury. Stretching should definitely be a part of your warm-up and cool-down. You can add static and dynamic stretches to your exercise regimen to relieve painful muscles.
- Static stretches: These target certain muscle groups by holding a stretch for an extended time—for example, a seated hamstring stretch.
- Dynamic stretches: These stretches resemble the fluid motions you perform throughout an exercise routine—for example, arm circles and leg swings.
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Stay hydrated
Water is fundamental to your health. Your joints and muscles respond to dehydration, that too in an unpleasant way. Maintaining adequate hydration helps your body remove waste products and toxins that lead to gout and other diseases. Additionally, it helps lubricate your joints, which decreases inflammation and discomfort.
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Try heat therapy
Heat therapy is suitable after exercise because it stimulates blood flow to the region, even though ice is sometimes advised to minimize inflammation. A hot shower can also be beneficial.
Final thoughts!
It takes strength and determination to start and maintain a fitness regimen. Quick recovery from stiffness and muscle soreness after an exercise facilitates returning to exercise with less difficulty. For this reason, including high-quality products, like CBD pain relief rub, in your daily life is a wise decision.