Can CBD Improve Your Workouts?

Studies suggest CBD fights inflammation throughout the body, so why not the inflammation that running, weightlifting, high-intensity interval training, or other types of exercise causes?

Why are we sore after we workout?

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) explains working out causes microscopic damage to muscle fibers. Those muscles then become inflamed, which triggers the body to respond and repair, causing muscle soreness or stiffness.

 Photo: Thea Hughes | @Tmaxine

Where does CBD fit in?

Through its ability to decrease pain and inflammation, it can not only help accelerate recovery but also improve endurance and motivation to workout.

It also works by stimulating our endocannabinoid system which regulates the inflammatory response in our body.

Can CBD really help fight post-workout inflammation?

Fitness professionals including NFL players, Skateboarders and Spartan Pro Team athletes have found that CBD oil helps ease soreness, speed recovery, and heal injuries.

For high-intensity workouts, it can:

• Aid in protecting the breakdown of muscle
• Manage pain
• Reduce inflammation
• Help fall asleep after a workout

During a workout, the tension still exists, however it helps push through those mental barriers allowing the mind to quieten resulting in a more resilient workout.

How about CBD benefits prior to exercise?

It can make your sweat session more enjoyable with improving:

• Pain tolerance
• Focus
• Motivation to get into the gym
• Enhanced performance

Photo: Thea Hughes @tmaxine & SESSION @thesession.nyc

Thinking of skipping a workout?....take CBD.

According to Men's Journal, It works like this: Exercise creates that euphoric feeling by activating your endocannabinoid receptors that are connected to the reward and dopamine pathways in the brain. Since the cannabinoids of CBD also activate these receptors, ingesting CBD might create an artificial runner’s high, making you crave more of the feeling by way of getting out for a run.

Getting started with CBD and my workout regime

Higher Wave Wellness Everyday Balance travel size is easy to drop on the go, or prior to your favorite workout.

Try starting with 8-10mg per day and increase by 5-10mg until you feel relief. This isn't perfect and requires trial and error, but it'll help you find a starting point.

Here are two effective workouts using little to no equipment from coach and creative director Thea Hughes of The Session NYC. Perfect to get you going.