CBD for muscle recovery - how does it work?

We know how essential exercise is to get your feel-good endorphins flying. That’s why we've teamed up with our friends at GYMILES Health to help support your health and fitness journey, from workout to recovery and beyond.

As CBD is the health supplement of the moment, favoured by fitness junkies in all sporting disciplines from calming yoga to fully-fledged athletes, we wanted to delve deeper into the benefits of CBD for muscle recovery.

Whether you’re practicing yoga or taking part in intense training, working out can wreak havoc on our bodies, resulting in tension and muscle aches known as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

This is because, as the NHS explains, when we strain and work out, there is microscopic damage to the muscle fibres which then break down and can cause our muscles to become inflamed. 

As exercise stresses the body, it then needs time to heal. You’ll notice this when you feel sore and tired after a workout. This is actually the result of your body attempting to repair itself.

That’s why fitness experts recommend that you allow a rest day between workouts. It’s vital that you allow your body this natural healing process to prevent injury and so that it can recover faster.

DOMS stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and is a common experience after strenuous physical activity. It usually springs up after you’ve started a new or more intense workout routine than normal but it can also affect professional athletes just as easily.

London fitness trainer, Em Furey uses our Move Capsules to support her post workout recovery.  Herbal supplements like CBD are also great for supporting DOMS and after-exercise muscle recovery.

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a compound found naturally within the cannabis sativa L. plant. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the active compound in recreational marijuana, CBD alone is non-psychoactive so it won’t get you high. Read: What is CBD?

How does CBD help our bodies recover after exercise?

Studies into CBD are preliminary but we do know that CBD has some incredible anti-inflammatory properties which can work wonders for reducing inflammation and helping to reduce swelling and associated pain after a workout.

In fact, it’s one of the best herbal supplements for muscle recovery on the market for those looking for a more natural alternative to prescription medication.

There are plenty of topicals and supplements on the market that can help with your post-workout recovery. Another one you can try is CBD oil or balm, a natural herbal supplement from nature.

India Bailey, Fitness pro and Head of Brand and Culture at Core Collective says: “I take CBD to combat inflammation or any joint pain I might feel if I’m overexerting my body which I find really helpful”

Obviously, the benefits of CBD for inflammation is an excellent reason to give it a go. But another reason CBD is a much-loved supplement for muscle recovery may be because of its relaxing properties.

After all, our body’s main recovery process happens while we’re sleeping when it produces melatonin, a growth hormone that supports muscle recovery. Sleeping is the best time for our muscles to recover.

After all, even if you’re using the best recovery medication, it won’t be enough if you’re not getting enough sleep to give your body the time out it needs.

When should you take CBD to optimise your workout routine and recovery?

CBD pre workout

Many people think of CBD as supplement to take for post workout recovery. However, it’s actually excellent for taking before your workout too or as part of your daily routine to give you a boost of energy and focus.

CBD post workout

Anti-inflammatory CBD is great for supporting recovery. Take your CBD oil or Move capsules (or both!) after an intense workout to replace the energy you’ve spent and to support inflammation.

CBD for everyday

As CBD is shown to be cumulative, the best thing you can do to support muscle recovery is to take a natural supplement every day. Whether you prefer the format of CBD oil or capsules, there are plenty of great supplements you can take to boost your active lifestyle on a daily basis.

If you’re an athlete that needs to have regular drug screening, then you can rest assured that taking CBD won’t show up as positive on a drug test, provided you go with a high-quality brand that’s independently tested and is verified for CBD and zero THC.

However, some full spectrum CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC that, while legal in the UK if under 0.2%, may show up on a drug test.

If you are concerned, then hemp seed oil, which is 100% THC free is a great alternative.

Shop our Ultimate Recovery Bundle with our best-seller 5% CBD oil and Move Capsules for just £69 (worth £93). Use code BUNDLE15 for an additional 15% off.  SHOP NOW.

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