Bodybuilding is a strenuous process where people seek to build muscles, tone up, and develop stamina which, according to experts, is great for both physical and mental health. But most people learn the hard way how difficult workouts can be. Experts say that cannabidiol oil (CBD) can promote the production of anabolic hormones responsible for protein synthesis, a key aspect of bodybuilding.
Workouts need energy, commitment, and endurance. Few survive a workout session and manage to show up the next day. And even those who keep things going resort to anabolic supplements to make the ride manageable. That said, this post shall explore the surprising benefits of CBD for bodybuilding. But first:
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol oil (CBD) is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Unlike THC that is psychoactive and can lead to the mind-altering capabilities associated with marijuana, CBD is an active component that has been proven to treat and manage symptoms of certain medical conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), among others.
CBD oil for Workouts and Bodybuilding
As mentioned above, CBD promotes the production of anabolic hormones that promote the rapid growth of muscles. This property of CBD has seen it gain traction in the past few years as a great bodybuilding companion. By doing so, CBD oil suppresses the production of catabolic hormones that lead to muscle loss. Many people have introduced CBD in their bodybuilding and workout regimens because of its pain and anti-inflammatory properties that help speed up the post-workout muscle soreness and inflammation.
The main goal of bodybuilders is to increase the formation of muscle mass, and rapidly for that matter. Studies have linked CBD oil to promoting the homeostasis function of the body via the endocannabinoid system (ECS). And maintaining a balance in the body is essential to the rapid formation of muscles. The following reasons explain why CBD oil is beneficial for workouts and bodybuilding:
- CBD oil has been proven to regulate metabolism via the CB 2 receptors present in the endocannabinoid system, promoting muscle gain.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help relieve pain and the post-workout muscle soreness experienced by bodybuilders.
- When taken shortly before workouts, CBD can help reduce inflammation, ideal for quick muscle gain and recovery post-workout.
CBD oil is a preferred option for relieving pain because it is pure, natural, and has magical therapeutic properties. When the body is exposed to stress, which happens when we work out, the body naturally responds to this as inflammation. But CBD’s anti-inflammatory potential has seen it gain traction in the field of bodybuilding.
How Good is CBD for Bodybuilding?
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that CBD can be a great companion for workouts and bodybuilders. That is because it promotes muscle growth by stimulating the production of anabolic hormones, relieves pain, eases inflammation, and speeds up post-workout muscle recovery. As such, a bodybuilder can use CBD to gain muscle mass without over-stressing the body. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory potential helps the body recover quickly to get you ready for the next workout session, increasing your chances of maintaining steady muscle growth. Among others, CBD can be surprisingly beneficial for bodybuilding in the aspects:
CBD oil for quick muscle recovery
Often, one has to push their limits to gain muscle mass in a weightlifting session. In the aftermath, it is common to pain, stiffness, and soreness in the muscles. This happens because overstretching can lead to rupturing of one microscopic muscle fiber. And studies show that CBD can reduce post-exercise pain, inflammation and also speed up the repair process for the muscle fibers – which aids muscle recovery.
CBD increases metabolism and fat burning process
CBD speeds up cellular function via endocannabinoid activity. Such cellular changes allow the body to burn extra calories than usual. By doing so, the body’s basal metabolic rate increases, and the stored fat is converted to energy, which is a booster for workouts and muscle gain. And when the body burns more calories than the amount we consume, fat is burned, which leads to the development of lean muscle mass. Also, the endocannabinoid system has CB 2 receptors present in the digestive system that function to create a digestive balance that eliminates constipation and bloating.
CBD cuts back on the Cortisol hormone
Heightened levels of the growth hormone cortisol can inhibit muscle growth. But CBD reduces cortisol hormone levels in the body, which paves the way for quick results during workouts and weightlifting for bodybuilders.
CBD helps Replenish Energy during Workouts
Endurance and energy levels go hand in hand. And as you would expect, weightlifting or any form of workout requires extreme energy. You don’t want to get down to your session and run out of stamina. This is where CBD comes in handy to create an energy reserve to power you through the session.
CBD regulates blood sugar. By doing so, CBD suppresses insulin production, and low levels of this hormone mean less glucose is converted to fat. The extra glucose present in the blood is thus used to replenish your energy during workouts.
CBD products and dosage for Workouts
It is recommended that before indulging in a strenuous activity like a workout, you eat plenty of carbs and proteins. And this is better done an hour before workout time to ensure you have sufficient fuel to sustain your strength-wise throughout the session. Carbs and proteins are easily converted to energy that you require, but CBD should be taken half an hour before the workout to lower insulin production.
When discussing matters CBD, there is no single dose that is appropriate for all. That means what suits one may not suit the other. Therefore, you should start small and increase the dosage according to your workout needs. Regarding mode of intake, CBD for workouts is best ingested for easy absorption in the bloodstream. And when taken timely, CBD can promote rapid growth of muscle, ease pain, and post-workout muscle soreness, among other surprising benefits for bodybuilding.
Ksenia Sobchak enjoys blogging on fashion, style, lifestyle, love and CBD areas. Prior to becoming a blogger, Ksenia worked for a renowned fashion brand. Ksenia is a contributing author to leading fashion, lifestyle and CBD magazines and blogs. You can bump into Ksenia at her favourite cafe in South Kensington where she has written most blogs. Ksenia is a staunch advocate of CBD and its benefits to people. Ksenia is also on the panel of CBD reviewers at CBD Life Mag and Chill Hempire. Her favourite form of CBD are CBD gummies and CBD tinctures. Ksenia is a regular contributor at leading fashion, lifestyle as well as CBD magazines and blogs.
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