The Changing World of CBD for Sports

Professional athletes are among the most ardent supporters of CBD. That’s why we have Team CBD praising us – from golfers to MMA fighters, athletes are turning to CBD to help them relax and recover from their efforts.

Anyone in the major leagues, on the other hand, has proven to be more difficult to recruit. This is because the majority of the major athletic associations have tight restrictions concerning what substances its members can use, as well as regular drug testing. Many athletes are hesitant to use CBD products unless they know exactly what’s in them, right down to the microgram.

To that purpose, CBD recently became the first CBD firm to be certified for sport by NSF International. This assures that no prohibited substances are present in our products. Continue reading to find out why this is such a big issue.

Why Use CBD for Sports?

First and foremost, why do athletes appreciate CBD oil so much? It is not a chemical that improves athletic performance in the same way that a hormone or steroid does. Instead, the pros see it as a recovery tool that allows them to recharge before returning to the field.

Read More: The Changing World of CBD for Sports

CBD Oil and Recovery

CBD works by activating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of neurotransmitters and receptors present throughout the body and brain. The ECS aids in the stabilization of many biological systems, including mood, memory, immunological response, and many more aspects that science is still learning about.

CBD is still being researched for its possible advantages, and it has not been FDA-approved to treat any specific conditions. However, athletes tend to base their decisions on their own and their friends’ experiences, and experience has been overwhelmingly in CBD’s favor.

What Do Athletes Who Use CBD Say?

Bubba Watson, the golf great, admits to being a chronic worrier, and he claims CBD helps him keep calm – and may even extend his career.”I envision Phil Mickelson winning at 48,” Watson told CNN in 2019.

The appeal for younger athletes may be more in the instant gains. Kassia Meador, a longboard surfer, told Inertia that CBD “helps me sleep, combats jet lag if I have it, (and) helps my body recover from training and surfing.” This is significant because, until recently, all major sports authorities prohibited CBD.

What the Sports Authorities Say About CBD

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), created in 1999 to provide a worldwide code harmonizing local rules, is the most prominent organization in pro sports regarding drugs and other prohibited substances. For WADA, all of those potential benefits must be balanced against the fact that CBD is derived from the cannabis plant.

Cannabis has long been classified as the most dangerous controlled substance on the DEA’s list due to its history of use as a recreational drug. For a long time, sports leagues prohibited the usage of cannabis and anything associated with it.

Read More: CBD Oil Reviews & Buying Guide

Legalization Leads to Discoveries

Despite the DEA’s scheduling, numerous states have begun to relax cannabis regulations during the previous 25 years. This resulted in the development of numerous novel cannabis products, of which many athletes took advantage.

This could be because WADA recognized that things were changing. This did not sit well with everyone, especially since not all cannabis-derived products are intoxicating.

CBD for Sports Goes Legit … Kind Of

Two events in 2018 were watershed moments for CBD in sports. Congress passed a new Farm Bill that made industrial hemp products federally legal. CBD derived from hemp is therefore legal. At the same time, WADA backed down. That is the stumbling block for many athletes. And there can be serious consequences if you misplace your faith.

The NSF Certified for Sport Certification

CBD supplements are not the only type of supplement to have this issue. WADA prohibits a wide range of chemicals, and athletes want to know if the supplements they’re taking may cause them to fail a drug test.

NSF International stepped in at this point. The 80-year-old institution has a lengthy history of establishing health and sanitation standards, so it made sense for them to apply this knowledge to dietary supplements. The NSF Certified for Sport program was developed to extensively examine the content of health supplements to ensure that the labels are accurate and that no illegal ingredients are present. NSF also assesses the quality and safety of supplement production procedures.

CBD NSF Certified for Sports Products

CBD announced in February 2022 that two varieties of CBD oil soft gel capsules had gained NSF certification. These include the original CBD soft gels, which contain 50 mg of CBD per capsule, and the CBD PM soft gels, which have 16.5 mg of CBD per capsule, and a sleep aid blend of melatonin and soothing herbs.

Softgels are among the most user-friendly CBD products. Simply take one at a time with a glass of water or another beverage.

Because they take about an hour to work their way through your system and into your bloodstream, you should take one shortly before the exercise so you can feel the advantages during or after (depending on how long you’re doing it). Some people find it makes them feel lethargic, so they prefer to take a softgel after working out.

CBD PM softgels should be used only before night because they can make you tired and unable to function. They normally take action in an hour or so, much like regular.

Are There Side Effects of CBD for Sports?

As previously said, some people feel tired or sluggish after using CBD, in which case you should only take it before bed. Some folks also have slight digestive distress.

Before beginning a CBD regimen, consult with your doctor because it may interfere with the effectiveness of some medications. As a general guideline, tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking.