Vaping CBD oil is becoming a popular way to consume CBD. Even for athletes! Athletes indeed put a lot of stress on their bodies. Training might stimulate adaptation and improved performance but physical trauma, wear and tear that could result in injuries and pain. The pain management methods which are used tend to be effective though they also result to negative effects such as killing people. In the search for improved sports recovery and better pain relief, some are asking about Vaping CBD oil for athletes. Chronic use of some of the over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen is dangerous to the general health of the athletes. Other drugs like opioid are very addictive, and overdosing of them can result to death.
In such, athletes are rightly curious about and eager for the promises of pain relief and reduced inflammation without dangerous risks which are associated by the usual over the counter drugs and opioids. Athletes might wonder whether CBD products are right for them. There is a lot to discuss before we decide that.
Are athletes allowed to use CBD?
Athletes are indeed allowed to use CBD. In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) did remove CBD from the list of prohibited substances in competitions for athletes. Also, the USA Anti-Doping Agency did so. However, it is important to note that WADA did set a urinary threshold of 150 Nano grams per milliliter for THC. This was intended to reduce the risk for athletes testing positive as a result of casual use of CBD outside the competition.
What do you need to know about CBD?
Athletes are allowed to consume cannabidiol legally. Science tells us that cannabinoids already exist in our body. By definition, cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid that exist naturally in the cannabis plant. By contrast with the THC that is present in cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive. For a long period, research was hard to complete as a result of the legal status of marijuana.
However, in recent studies, the following has been discovered; within our nervous system, there are two endocannabinoids, which are the 2-AG and EAE. These two are produced in postsynaptic neurons and released into the synapse. Afterward, they bind into CB1 and CBD2 receptors on the presynaptic neuron. They inhibit the release of certain neurotransmitters. CB1 receptors are available in the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues. The CB2 receptors are still there though most of them can be found in the immune system tissues. CBD binding to the CB1 receptors can impact the central nervous system. CBD binding to the CB2 receptors is essential in reducing inflammation.
The essence of ECS is maintenances of homeostasis, which it plays by ensuring the level of the neurotransmitter is in check. Vaping CBD supplements increases the activity of the body which exists in the endocannabinoid system. Athletes apply stress on their bodies, which results in pain and inflammation. This is great for what the endocannabinoid system could handle. Vaping CBD could help overload system when the neurotransmitter is back under control and assist athletes in ensuring homeostasis.
What are the benefits of Vaping CBD for Athletes?
- Relieving Pain
Studies have proven that vaping CBD can be great for reduction of pain, inclusive of musculoskeletal pain from the exercise of joints.
- As an Alternative to the NSAIDs
Athletes indeed tend to consume over the countre drugs such as ibuprofen for relieving pain. However, these drugs are not safe. Athletes are nowadays advised to avoid taking such drugs since they increase the risk of renal damages. They also tend to increase the risks of diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Vaping CBD can be used as an alternative to these drugs. It can lower exercise pain with reduced effects. The good thing is that there are no documented deaths from CBD products like it is for the other over the counter drugs.
- A Great Alternative to Opioids
CDC claims that only in 2018, opioids resulted in more than 50,000 deaths in the US alone. Opioids such as morphine, codeine are very effective in managing pain. However, there is a risk of addiction and death by overdose. Though CBD cannot be as effective as opioids in relieving high-intensity pain, they may be a good alternative to the Opioids. This is because they will have less risk of dependence and deaths.
- Reduced Inflammation
Little inflammation could be good for athletes and can help in training adaptations. However, too much inflammation could hinder recovery as well as hurt performance. CB2 receptors are found in both the brain and periphery is also concentrated in immune tissues. CBD binds to CB2 receptors which might reduce inflammatory effects by reduction of cytokine productions. CBD bound to the CB2 receptors response in the immune system after workouts.
- Settling Your Gut
Inflammation, both in small and large intestines, could result in discomfort and distress. This explains why athletes drop out of races. Vaping CBD cannot resolve stomach problems like dehydration and overheat. However, when an athlete has an underlying inflammation issue that can result in gut problems after exercising, vaping CBD oil might be effective in the reduction of the symptoms.
- Improved Quality of Sleep
Athletes are advised to get more and better sleep. Athletes who vape CBD oil report an increased ease of going to sleep and enjoy more restful night’s sleep. CBD inhibits the reuptake of adenosine.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breaks down as the brain burns carbohydrate for energy. The adenosine gradually accumulates to the brain. When more adenosine bind to the neurons, it inhibits the release of neurotransmitters, which slows down your brain activity, thus helping you feel calm and induce sleep. The body metabolizes the adenosines as you are sleeping. When the adenosine levels are low, you might tend to wake up.
However, by the process of binding to the same receptors, adenosine might bind where CBD inhibits the adenosine reuptake, thus helping it to accumulate more quickly as well as make it feel sleepy sooner. CBD might as well have potent anti-anxiety effects for some of the people, thus helping them to get sleep and have restful sleeps.
Ways to use CBD
There are indeed CBD containing products available in the market every week. There are capsules, pills as well as oils in the market. However, vaping CBD oil is becoming more popular. There are other ways, such as infusing it into sports drinks, recovery drinks, and other edibles. It is important to note that the way you intake the CBD might have affect on the way you might experience its effects. Capsules and other edibles of CBD could be digested. They might, therefore, take more time. Vaping CBD as vapor might be the best way.
There are full-spectrum CBD products out their containing CBD which in most cases are found in original plants. These might sometimes include small amounts of THC. There are others called CBD isolate products which only contain CBD component.
How much CBD should athletes Use?
This is a tricky question. There is no standard does out there that is consistent to all people. Most of these CBD products are not well-regulated, so there remain inconsistencies on the amount to be used as a product. Depending on how to consume the CBD and thus could be difficult the precise. When vaping, you can calculate the millimeters you are in taking as a vapor. It is always advisable to use low dosages and increase its slowly based on the effects of the CBD.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the development of vaping CBD oil could be a key turning point in the way that athletes can recover from training stresses and pains they experience. There is a lot to be learned regarding vaping CBD oil and how it can be used well by athletes. That is not uncommon, though. Back then, when carbohydrate-rich drinks came first, it was not clear how they improved performance and the mechanisms were not much clear.
CBD might not be a banned substance for athletes in competitions. However, the potential risk for athletes exists when the product does not have what it says on the label. In case it contains a significant THC or any other prohibited substance, an athlete might be in the risk for doping violations. As with other products, it is up for the athlete to research and purchase only from reputable brands.
What is evident from the limited scientific research is that vaping CBDoil has many potential benefits and some risks. It can improve recover since it can relieve pain, reduce inflammatory, and can aid sleep. This makes it a great addition for improving athletic performances. Most importantly if it gets athletes to lower consumptions of over the counter drugs, opioids, and other prescriptions aids drugs, it is highly recommendable then. With the diverse CBD products available out in the market, it is essential to know the ones which can be used for vaping and which cannot. However, if you are on prescriptions drugs, you should consider consulting your doctor before you incorporate CBD in your regimen as an athlete.
Leave A Comment