CBD and sports performance. A summary review of cannabidiol’s role in professional sports.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a substance contained in cannabis or marijuana. For some time, it was only known for its recreational use. But nowadays, its virtues are exploited in various ways, to the point that even professional athletes are allowed to use it. Especially since it is now legal in most jurisdictions.

CBD has proven to be an effective remedy for pain and anxiety attacks. As these problems are frequently observed in sports, the use of CBD oil can be very effective with athletes. But do top-level athletes really have the right to consume it without consequences? Is it possible that the use of CBD could be considered doping?

In the United States, the use of CBD has grown at an astonishing rate. Forward-looking companies like Colorado-based West Coast Ventures (OTC: WCVC) have even started infusing food and beverages with the substance. The company has gained accolades for becoming the first CBD restaurant stock, i.e. the first company of its kind to trade publicly on the stock market.

West Coast Ventures is one company that is truly starting to capitalize on the CBD substance going mainstream in the United States.

Cannabidiol in sports

Top athletes attest without hesitation to the benefits of using CBD in sports. According to them, this substance provides invaluable benefits before and after very intense physical exercise. When CBD is consumed before a sporting activity, it improves concentration and focus. Indeed, competitive sports are a risky game where you have to dare to move forward whatever the circumstances. CBD reduces the anxiety felt before those competitions. Stress can have a negative impact on an athlete’s performance even if he or she is a professional. Among other things, the substance appears to provide extra energy.

Used after a major sports session, CBD provides further benefits. It considerably reduces cramps and muscle aches and pains. With its anti-inflammatory power, it also accelerates the restoration of muscle condition and injury repair. The most important among its effects is its analgesic role, allowing athletes to withstand all types of training at high intensity. In addition, it provides good quality sleep.

There are different variations of Cannabidiol on the market

There are several cannabidiol options available on https://penguincbd.com/. The most well-known format is CBD oil to be applied directly to the areas to be treated. This topical application takes between 20 to 40 minutes to work. The other way of using it is to swallow it as a food supplement. A few drops under the tongue show great effectiveness during competitions. If you are not a fan of food supplements, you can try cannabidiol as an infusion as well as chocolate or pasta with CBD. For the latter, the action time is approximately 2 hours. CBD is also available as a cream or lotion for topical applications.

More recently, many people have been using CBD patches to get results for 4 to 6 hours after application. The most interesting application seems to be inhalable CBD, sold in spray mode, which has an immediate effect. However, this mode of use requires a high dose of CBD because the inhaled particles dissipate at high speed. Then finally come the cannabidiol capsules, which are active for 2 hours after ingestion. It should be noted that vegans cannot use the latter because of the presence of animal material in the gelatin. Athletes choose their CBD format according to the importance of the exercises to be performed and the time frame of the particle activation they wish to obtain.

Potential side effects

French regulations regarding the use of cannabidiol in sport or in everyday life are currently being revised. CBD was already authorized in 2018, during the World Cup in Russia, when France faced Uruguay. In the meantime, cannabidiol is considered to be very useful for athletes, but potential side effects should not be minimized. First of all, the use of CBD is strictly prohibited without medical advice in individuals with neurological problems. It should be noted that all substances that pass into the bloodstream or are ingested must be transformed in the liver. Thus, CBD cannot be administered to patients with impaired liver function. It is also not suitable for people with serious cardiovascular disease.

The list of contraindications for CBD is long. Therefore, it is advisable to be accompanied by a qualified doctor before, during and after the use of cannabidiol, especially for athletes who need to stay healthy to compete.