Do you know? Many of the sport facilities of 2022 Winter Olympics were built with a mixture of concrete and hemp fibers, but those watching the games might not notice the difference. According to reports, China has tapped a Canadian company for the supply nearly 120,000 pounds of its patent NForce-Fiber to China to use for the construction of the Olympic facilities.
Not only hemp fiber, CBD has also been on world stage. US footballer and Olympian Megan Rapinoe, who said she uses CBD to boost her performance.
Although there are many controversies about CBD on sport events, it is undeniable that CBD oils is a good choice for those who love, need and do exercise daily.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD (cannabidiol) found in cannabis strains (including hemp) is one of many cannabinoid compounds. Another famous cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC can produce the psychoactive effects that make you feel high.
CBD is a chemical compound that acts throughout the body, including on certain parts of the brain, and is becoming increasingly popular in the health world. It comes from the cannabis plant; however, unlike its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the 'high' from marijuana, CBD, derived from the hemp plant, is non-intoxicating and some believe it may have potential health and wellness benefits. Once extracted from the cannabis plant, it is diluted with a carrier such as olive or coconut oil – this improves its bio-availability.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and it does not bind well to endocannabinoid receptors CB-1 or CB-2. It is thought to produce its effects indirectly by promoting the endocannabinoids that are naturally found in the body. CBD is also thought to affect the endocannabinoid system indirectly through other receptors like 5-HT. Hemp extracted CBD has significant medicinal value. It has been used in modern and traditional medicine as far back as ancient China and Egypt.
CBD In Exercise Recovery
Aside from a rigorous and challenging workout routine, proper recovery is essential to optimizing one’s health and fitness. In fact, the recovery efforts outside of exercise are often just as important as the exercise itself.
Most forms of physical activity are heavily taxing on the body. Endurance training rapidly depletes muscle glycogen stores, while weight training inflicts damage to muscles tissues in the form of micro-tears. Regardless of your preferred method of training, our bodies require adequate rest to recuperate from physical strain. Fortunately, as research has indicated, CBD oil can benefit exercise recovery in several ways.
CBD on Reduce Stress
For starters, CBD has been shown to reduce stress, which is one of the most common causes of compromised post-exercise recovery. Being in a constant state of stress can elevate levels of a hormone called cortisol. When cortisol levels are consistently high, the efficiency of muscle growth and recovery processes can suffer. Fortunately, research has demonstrated that CBD oil can benefit exercise recovery by lowering cortisol levels in the blood.
Aside from managing your stress hormones, sleep plays a crucial role in promoting healthy recovery from exercise. The science is clear: sleep-deprived athletes have slower muscle regeneration, increased stress levels, and decreased performance. Put simply, sleep matters, and in the interest of recovery, the average person is encouraged to sleep between 7-8 hours a night.
CBD For Sleep
However, even the sleep-conscientious know that a restful night’s sleep isn’t always guaranteed. Often, insomnia and other frustrating sleep disturbances can impair the quality of our sleep, leading to inhibited rest and recuperation.
Thankfully, CBD can help. Because CBD influences the body’s balance of stress hormones and neurotransmitters such as adenosine, consuming CBD oil can benefit post-exercise recovery by promoting restorative sleep.
CBD for Relaxing
When you got a stress reduce, good sleep, as well as the endocannabinoid receptors respond to CBD, relaxation occurs naturally. These particular receptors control serotonin levels in the body, which in turn affects stress, mood, and energy levels. Keeping serotonin levels steady is a key aspect of maintaining a healthy mindset.
A growing industry
"There’s a lot of solid science behind CBD for its medical properties," Mike Barnes, a professor of neurology and chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society said.
In January 2021, the European Commission changed its preliminary assessment on CBD oil and stated the compound is not a narcotic and "can be qualified as food". It also said CBD products should be able to move between member states.
Barnes said he believed it is because world bodies such as WADA and the World Health Organization (WHO) saying CBD is safe that more countries will eventually make the compound legal.
The WHO said in a 2020 report that CBD "is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile" and that it exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.
"CBD’s now caught on and I think it's here to stay. And why it's being so popular is that people are discovering that it works," said Barnes.
