CBD is being used for a wide variety of applications, which include therapies for a range of diseases, neuroprotection, pain relief, and more. CBD, which is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, is a compound from the hemp plant that does not contain THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant.
With all the rage about CBD’s potential health benefits, more and more athletes, trainers, and gym-goers are using the compound to help them with muscle recovery. CBD’s well-studied anti-inflammation and painkilling properties are well-documented, and these could potentially promote faster post-fight recovery.
CBD’s Anti-Inflammation and Painkilling Properties
Before we begin to discuss the potential of CBD to boost post-fight recovery, it is important to note that very few scientific studies have been done concerning the effects of CBD muscle balms on muscle recovery. More significant empirical data are needed to establish CBD’s efficacy in aiding the recovery of muscles after a fight.
It’s also important to distinguish the difference between muscle swelling caused by lifting weights or a jog, and a muscle injury caused by a strain. muscle balm with CBD is used for post-fight muscle recovery, and not to treat muscle injuries.
With that in mind, athletes and trainers have been using topical CBD on sore spots and have reported positive results. The use of CBD on sore muscles is based on the compound’s anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties, as well as its antioxidative, antiemetic, and neuroprotective benefits.
In the case of pain and mobility, one review conducted in 2018 involved 132 original studies published in the journal called, Frontiers in Neurology. In the study, CBD was proven to reduce inflammation of the body and reduce perceptions of pain, as well as improve mobility in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Though the study did not involve anything related to post-fight recovery, it showed the benefits of CBD in terms of pain and inflammation, which are basically what occurs when the muscles are torn from exercise.
How CBD Can Help Improve Post Fight Recovery
Though no clinical studies have proven CBD to be an effective post-fight recovery treatment, the known health benefits of the compound can be applied. Here are some of the benefits of CBD that may make it an effective substance to boost post-fight recovery:
1. Anti-Inflammatory
CBD’s anti-inflammatory property is its most prized benefit. Almost all kinds of disease and pain are caused by some form of inflammation, and this includes muscle tears, swelling, and soreness.
Inflammation in the muscles is a means of communication in your body. The swelling tells your body to send nutrients, oxygen, and blood, to clear out the dead cells that have been destroyed, and create the building blocks for stronger muscles. When this happens, your body produces muscle fiber in the affected area, making it recover. However, it takes a considerable amount of time. After a fight, your body would need 1 to 2 days of rest for complete recovery of muscle inflammation. When you apply CBD muscle balm to the affected area, it helps to speed up the recovery process, cutting down your downtime.
2. Pain Relieving Properties
CBD’s painkilling properties are also well-studied and documented and it’s one of the reasons why many people use it. CBD has been known to inhibit the transmission of pain nerves to the spinal cord and brain, reducing your perceptions of pain, and therefore, reducing pain in your swollen muscles.
3. Improve Sleeping Patterns
The best time for muscle recovery is when you are at rest. CBD, when taken orally, has been known to improve sleeping patterns. A good night’s sleep can help the body restore damaged proteins, as well as produce more muscle-building hormones, such as testosterone and insulin. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is also reduced because CBD has been known to relax the body and calm the nervous system.
Since your body naturally experiences post-fight recovery when you are at rest, CBD’s ability to boost sleep and improve the overall quality of sleep can help boost muscle recovery.
In terms of CBD muscle creams, applying them to affected areas at night before sleeping can make them more effective in reducing swelling and pain.
How to Use CBD Muscle Cream for Post Fight Recovery
Make sure your CBD cream contains at least 50mg of CBD with no traces of THC. CBD is legal in all states of the US, but unfortunately, FDA does not regulate CBD products, and some products may contain THC. It is important to do your due diligence when purchasing your CBD products because while CBD is no longer part of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances, THC still is. If you are a professional athlete, having traces of THC in your bloodstream may prove damaging to your career.
Once you have a reliable and trustworthy CBD muscle cream on hand, apply a decent amount to swollen areas of your body. Your skin contains nerve endings that respond to CBD since the endocannabinoid system is also present in the skin. When these nerves absorb CBD, they will work to reduce inflammation in the affected muscles, as well as reduce your perception of pain. CBD muscle balms usually take 1 to 2 hours to work and will stay working for up to 48 hours.
It is important to note that not everyone reacts similarly to the effects of CBD creams. Some may experience faster post-fight recovery, while some will not. A lot of trial and error needs to take place to find an effective topical CBD product for your muscle tears and pain after a fight.
Conclusion
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties have been significantly studied and data shows promising results. CBD users attest to its painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential compound for the treatment of many diseases and health issues. When it comes to muscle pain and swelling from working out, CBD has shown to be a potential post-fight treatment, boosting the effects of natural healing on the muscles.
If you don’t like taking CBD tinctures, the use of vapes, or consuming edibles, topical CBD products like CBD muscle balms can be an effective post-fight recovery tool that helps to boost faster healing.