CBD - what’s behind the hype?
There is emerging evidence that CBD can reduce inflammation and help in the regeneration process, which would help with athletes with recovery & training adaptation - but it is early days in terms of evidence, as findings are preliminary. Scientific literature is playing catch up as CBD had previously been prohibited.
I have always been a little bit sceptical about whether CBD would work. I’ve seen PGA tour golf professionals take actually take CBD oil during a tournament, in particular Phil Mickelson. That’s when I think a lot of sportsman did start to take notice when on live TV a product with cannabis in the title was actually seen as acceptable to be taken during an international tournament.
I have experimented with CBD oil once but wasn’t sure about the credibility of what I was buying. Trying to do some research on the Internet and basically taking a punt on a brand that seems legitimate felt a bit like roulette. When in the UK, online supermarkets such as Ocado stock and extensive range of CBD oil you know that it’s becoming mainstream and worth taking a closer look. It must be relatively safe for a supermarket stock. Nevertheless, I was never fully convinced whether what I was buying would necessarily be effective.
Which is why I was quite intrigued to hear about PureSports CBD, who are focused more on people like me who engage in endurance sports such, as long distance running quite regularly.
Finally, here was a brand that I could see fellow runners using and validating. Surely, if there was an issue it would probably come to light fairly quickly, versus randomly buying something on Ocado.
What’s the big deal?
CBD has been hyped as a miracle drug that promises to improve sleep, ease aches & pains and help recovery.
Apparently, upto 11% of the UK adult population have tried a CBD based product in the last year. CBD, short for cannabidiol is derived from the marijuana plant, but unlike the psychoactive THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD will not produce a high or change your mood or behaviour, that THC in LSD & cocaine do. It appears that CBD is the yin to the yang of THC, calming the ares of the brain that THC excites. Indeed, the human body produces its own cannabinoids, anandamide, that helps reduce stress levels.
Evidence points that CBD can help with:
sleep
anxiety and
pain management
all factors that are important when it comes to performance in sports. As previously mentioned extensive scientific research is yet to be done and any findings are preliminary.
Quality Control
There are issues around quality control with recent studies proving that the amount of CBD stated on the label not always being accurate. More worryingly, some were shown to contain THC, which for elite athletes is a huge concern, as it is on WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency’s) banned list. Products sold in the UK must contain no more than 0.2% THC - which means if you want to avoid THC you need to get it from a source that test every batch carefully.
PureSport CBD was setup by ex- rugby player Grayson Hart, who found it useful for a degenerative knee condition. Founded on a professional athlete’s standard, they source their own products ensuring their products passed the The Banned Substances Control Group BSCG tests for banned substances and contaminants and to certify that products are the strength, hence dosage, they claim to be.
I bought the PureSport CDB Massage & Joint balm before the Berlin Marathon in late September this year & ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon two weeks later - I have been using it it regularly post training and races and it does seem to help me recover quicker, so I was happy to receive a gifted jar, as it is a staple of my recovery routine as I ramp up the marathon training into the new year. The scientific evidence will catch up in the next couple of years, but the feedback I have seen from the running community has certainly been positive and I would certainly recommend that you give it a try.
Take a look at the PureSport CBD range. Use code CFR20 for 20% off.
