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Although CBD and CBD based products might look like new kid on the block, its usage can be traced back to ancient times in India where it still can be found growing wildly in most parts of the northern mountains & plains.

It is true that there have been many misconceptions regarding Hemp and CBD mostly because they come from rather notorious Marijuana plant but after some recent researches it can be said with some authority today that most of them are unfounded. It is especially true in case of CBD because it doesn’t contain the properties of giving that ‘high’ to its consumer because that power belongs to its cousin called THC (Tetrahydrocannabinols). 

CBD today is therefore legal to buy and sell in many countries around the world and that includes India too provided the THC content in the product is less than .3%. And Marijuana is one of the most versatile plant ever known, it can be used in several ways- from creating different psychoactive products from its flowers and leaves, to weaving clothes from the yarn obtained from its stem to building houses out of its sturdiness. Its cousin industrial hemp is already getting cultivated in large scale in different parts of the world. 

Oil extracted from its seeds called hemp seed oil can be used in a variety of ways- from cooking to dressing of salads and what not. Same is true for CBD oil. In combination with other carrier oil such as MCT or coconut oil, a lot of CBD oil based products are being manufactured today that include various therapeutic oils, soaps, ointments, shampoos, bath essentials, skincare and various related and diverse products. 

CBD is also available in raw or dewaxed form as tinctures and oils in diverse flavours and it is known to cure various ailments such as anxiety, depression, acute & chronic pains and inflammations, seizures, epilepsy, autism etc. among many others. In recent times, there is a lot of research that has taken place on the miraculous effects of CBD but there’s a lot more that needs to be done. 

But still, going by anecdotal references and certain recent researches, it can prove to be very useful for people who lead an active life, people such as sportsmen and Yoga instructors and practitioners or those suffering from certain ailments.

So let us  delve a bit deeper in the mysterious world of CBD:

Basics Of CBD: 

There are cannabinoids that are found in CBD. They are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant. CBD or Cannabidiol is the phytocannabinoid found naturally in the plant and unlike THC that is also found in the same plant, is not psychoactive. And another fact is, cannabinoids also exist in our body. 

Scientists have identified what they call the endocannibinoid system (ECS) that modulates the activity of neurons. Recent researches prove that 

the consumption of CBD could increase the activity of our body’s existing endocannabinoid system.

The primary purpose of the ECS appears to be maintaining homeostasis, which it does by keeping neurotransmitter levels in check. Being a Yoga practitioner and an athlete we apply greater stress to our body and it sometimes lead to pain and inflammation greater than what our endocannabinoid system can handle. Adding exogenous CBD may help this overloaded system get our neurotransmitters back under control and help us in maintaining homeostasis.

6 Benefits of CBD for Athletes and Yoga Practitioners

It relieves Pain

Studies have shown that CBD is effective for reducing pain, including musculoskeletal pain from exercise or Yoga, as well as stiff joints.Though there is little research on CBD alone it does appear to relieve pain effectively for many active people.

It is an alternative to NSAIDs

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen have widely been used by athletes for decades, but researches have shown that they are not safe.So athletes are typically advised to avoid NSAIDs during sessions and events, as long-term or frequent use of NSAIDs may increase our risk for heart attack and stroke.

Some athletes have found the pain relieving effect of CBD can reduce or eliminate their use of NSAIDS for exercise-related pain, with minimal side effects. 

It is an alternative to Opioids

Opioid pain medications (i.e. morphine, codeine, oxycontin) are highly effective for pain management, but carry a significant risk of addiction and death by overdose. Cannabinoids are not as effective as opioids for relieving acute, high-intensity pain, but may be effective for long-term pain management – either alone or in conjunction with other medications – with far less risk of dependence or accidental death.

It reduces inflammation

A little bit of inflammation can be good for athletes and help stimulate positive training adaptations. Too much inflammation hinders recovery and hurts performance. Researches have shown that there are CB2 receptors in both the brain and periphery, but they are more concentrated in immune tissues. Cannabinoids binding to CB2 receptors may have an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing cytokine (cell messengers) production. In other words, CBD bound to CB2 receptors help dial down the response when our immune system sounds the alarm after hard workouts.

It Settles our gut

Inflammation in the small and large intestines causes a lot of discomfort, and our gut problems can be enhanced during or after a session or training. Although CBD won’t solve our stomach problems that may arise from dehydration and overheating (two major causes in athletes and Yoga trainers), but if we have underlying inflammation issues that contribute to gut problems during or after exercise, CBD may be effective for reducing our symptoms. 

It improves Sleep Quality

Getting more and better sleep is one of the most effective ways an athlete can achieve greater training gains. It is equally true for a Yoga practitioner. Anecdotally, those who consume CBD report greater ease going to sleep and a more restful night’s sleep. CBD is found to slow down brain activity, helping us feel calmer, and induce sleep. 

Also,CBD may also have a potent anti-anxiety effect for some people, which can help them get to sleep and have more restful sleep.

How to use CBD

New CBD-containing products can be found all over the internet market these days. You can get CBD in the form of capsules, pills, or as an oil or tincture.  It has been infused into sports drinks, recovery drinks, and all manner of edibles. There are also topical creams and lotions that contain CBD oil, as well as oil drops that can be placed under your tongue.

How you consume CBD may affect how quickly you experience its effects. Capsules, oil, and edibles have to be digested, so they may take a bit longer. Topical creams are said to be quicker than edibles, and sublingual drops/tinctures are said to be the most rapid in showing any effect.

CBD is available as “full spectrum” or “isolate”. Full spectrum CBD products contain CBD and other compounds found in the original plant, which could include small amounts of THC. If the CBD was derived from industrial hemp, the THC content of the original plant is legally supposed to be less than .3%. Products that contain CBD isolate should only contain CBD. CBD isolate and CBD produced from hemp would be a better choice for those who want to play safe. 

How much CBD to use

Actually, there is no standard dose that delivers a consistent effect for all people. CBD products are not well regulated, so there can be inconsistencies in how much CBD is in a product. And depending on how you consume CBD (oil, gummy bear, cookie, recovery drink, tincture), it can be difficult to be precise. The most precise way to consume CBD is probably through capsules, or by calculating how many milligrams of CBD are in a given volume (such as ml.) of a tincture or oil.

Companies that produce and sell CBD products recommend starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it based on the effects you experience.

Conclusion 

The emergence of cannabidiol could mark a major turning point in how athletes and Yoga practitioners recover from training stress and manage both occasional and chronic pain. But still, there is a lot still to learn about how CBD works and how to best utilize for a physically active person. That is not unusual, though. Back when carbohydrate-rich sports drinks first came out, it was clear they were helping improve performance even if the formulas weren’t perfect and the mechanisms weren’t all known.

Although it is not a banned substance for athletes and people in general, if it actually contains a significant amount of THC or other prohibited substance, you are at risk for a doping violation. As with anything else, it will be up to you to research and find a reputable brand.

With what we know at this point, CBD offers good potential benefits and few risks. If it improves recovery as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and sleep aid, then it has great potential to improve athletic performance and treat various elements.

On our part, we have a collection of CBD oils and CBD & hemp products that are produced by most reputable companies with good track record and most positive reviews. You can buy various CBD and Hemp products from HERE.

As some of the CBD oils also contain THC in various measures, you need to have a doctor’s prescription to buy the same. You can book a Doctor’s appointment on Decoris from HERE and go ahead to buy CBD as prescribed from HERE.