What is CBD oil?

CBD stands for Cannabidiol, one of the many naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is perhaps the best-known chemical compound of cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive. However, CBD does provide a wide range of health benefits, including:

• Relieves pain and reduces inflammation
• Produces antipsychotic effects, particularly in patients with schizophrenia and other similar disorders
• Reduces anxiety in sufferers of various anxiety disorders
• Relieves nausea
• Treats epilepsy and other neurological disorders
• Lowers incidence of diabetes
• Promotes good cardiovascular health

But how does it help those people who don’t suffer from a particular illness, but who simply want to lead a healthier lifestyle? Recent studies have analysed the positive effects of CBD in sport.

CBD helps with both muscle development and fat loss.

Clinical studies show that CBD has anti-catabolic properties, which means that it can reduce the breakdown of muscle mass and help athletes to build more muscle. It does this by decreasing the number of catabolic hormones (such as cortisol) which are present in the body, while at the same time indirectly increasing muscle growth by improving your overall stamina.

It has also been shown that CBD helps to regulate blood sugar levels by improving the body’s capacity to convert fat into energy, preventing it from being stored. Unlike THC, CBD also acts as an appetite suppressant and can reduce food cravings.

CBD improves sleep quality and reduces stress and anxiety levels.

A good night’s sleep is essential after a training session or competition, as it is when we are sleeping that our bodies undergo the recovery process. Without a sufficient amount of sleep, muscle recovery and muscle growth will be significantly slower. Lack of sleep has also been linked to weight gain. CBD helps the body to regulate our ‘rest and repair’ hormones. It also helps to improve sleep quality as it can relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, both of which can get in the way of a restful night’s sleep. CBD can also be used to help naturally relieve pre-competition anxiety for bodybuilders and other athletes.

CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties.

Helps to reduce swelling in the case of trauma thanks to its neuroprotective properties, meaning that it simultaneously protects the brain from suffering severe injuries, preserves brain matter and speeds up muscle recovery, hence why it is used increasingly in contact sports such as MMA or NFL. The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has recently confirmed that the UFC will accept the use of CBD.