In between losing, winning, and intense training, there is pain, injuries, stress, and anxiety. Being an athlete has its share of wellness problems. You can find fixes for this by trying out the best CBD oil for athletic recovery. CBD continues to gain popularity across the globe in various aspects of human life. It has made its way into the sports industry, and for all the good reasons. CBD oil has properties that can help both athletes and workout enthusiasts with recovery. However, CBD oils are created differently. That is why you should only spend money on high-quality products. The FDA does not regulate the CBD market, considering the derivative is still under research. It is possible to come across low standard CBD oil. Nonetheless, various CBD brands offer high-grade, safe, best CBD oils for athletic recovery. Below is a guide to help before you make a purchase decision.
What Is CBD Anyway?
For starters, CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of the over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. However, industrial hemp is a type of cannabis herb that has high amounts of CBD. Unlike THC that makes people high, CBD does not. Manufacturers derive CBD from hemp, as it is rich in cannabidiol. Hemp contains only 0.3% THC, an amount that does not leave users stoned.
There are three types of CBD, broad spectrum, isolate, and full spectrum. A CBD isolate contains 99% pure cannabidiol. It has CBD and nothing else. However, full spectrum CBD has all the beneficial components of hemp. They include all the cannabinoids in hemp, terpenes, fatty acids, and flavonoids. These elements work together to provide the entourage effect, which enhances CBD’s effectiveness in handling various symptoms. On the other hand, broad spectrum CBD contains the cannabinoids present in hemp except for THC. It also has terpenes, fatty acids, and flavonoids. The other cannabinoids in hemp include CBC, CBG, and CBN. However, CBD is the main cannabinoid, while the others are secondary and exist in low amounts.
CBD manufacturers combine CBD and carrier oils such as MCT, hemp seed oil, or olive oil to create the best CBD oil. CBD oil comes in different potencies and flavors. If you are a beginner, start with the lowest dose and increase it gradually until you find an amount that relieves the symptoms you have. If the natural hemp flavor is not for you, various companies offer flavored CBD oil. Note that the other names for CBD oil are CBD tincture and CBD drops. You apply a few drops under your tongue and wait for 30 seconds or more before swallowing. CBD oil will move into your bloodstream through the blood vessels in your mouth to provide relief. Tinctures come in dropper bottles to ensure mess-free use and accurate CBD servings.
How it Relates to Athleticism?
How does CBD oil relate to athletics? It relieves various health conditions to support wellness. For instance, it has mood-regulating properties that help reduce stress and anxiety, which are part of being an athlete. Perhaps you are anxious about a match or not performing as greats as you usually do, and it is stressing you. You can use CBD oil for anxiety relief and ease stress. CBD oil also has a calming, relaxing effect that is helpful after an exhausting day. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD alleviate pain and muscle soreness to help with recovery. Cannabidiol is an alternative for painkillers, which can be addictive. Besides, CBD oil improves sleep quality to ensure you have restful nights.
Does CBD Oil Actually Work against Bodily Pain for Athletes?
Yes, CBD works against bodily pain for athletes. Every athlete deals with aches, be it from injuries, straining, or workouts. You can use CBD oil for pain arising from muscle tension, workout recovery, and joint stiffness. Research has shown that CBD alleviates pain and works better if used alongside THC, which makes full spectrum CBD oil ideal here. Nonetheless, the 0.3% THC in full spectrum cannabidiol will show up in a drug test. For that reason, athletes should use broad spectrum and isolate CBD oils and leave full spectrum for people who do not undergo drug screening.
How is CBD able to reduce pain? It does so by working with the endocannabinoid system in your body. The system regulates functions such as mood, pain, immunity responses, and sleep to ensure your body is in balance. CBD enhances the performance of the bodily systems to help users feel better in this case athletes and people who love to work out.
How We Tested Our Selected CBD Oils for Athletes
The products below made it to our list of best CBD oil for several reasons. One factor we looked for is the quality of a product. Using substandard products is detrimental to your health. Poorly made formulations cause side affects you do not want to deal with. Quality has to do with the ingredients and production process. High-quality CBD oil consists of organic components. It is free of chemicals that pose health risks, such as pesticides linked to cancer. Premium CBD oil brands oversee every stage of production from seed until the product reaches the consumer on the shelves. The formula undergoes several tests throughout the manufacturing process to ensure customers get high-grade, safe products.
We also looked at brand transparency. Great CBD oil companies provides enough details about its product. They also have an informative website where buyers can learn everything they need to know about the product without relying on other online platforms. Besides, the manufacturer should also have a responsive customer support team that is knowledgeable and professional to answer queries from consumers. Transparency also has to do with the ingredients. The CBD oil you are looking at should have a list of components.
You do not want to use a product whose components do not know. Products with simple ingredients are worth considering. When you come across CBD oil with several complex components you cannot makes sense of, find out more about it. Excellent CBD oil contains organic CBD and carrier oil such as MCT. Some brands add natural flavor to the formulations to enhance the taste.
The other factor we used when selecting the CBD oils for review is verified customer reviews. A product with most customers complaining about various things calls for caution on your side. CBD oil with positive, unbiased reviews from most customers is worth considering. That says a lot about its reputation. Over 20, 000 satisfied people cannot be wrong about given CBD oil.
Top CBD Oils for Athletic Recovery: Our Recommendations
The best CBD oils for athletic recovery are not for professional athletes but also exercise enthusiasts. The products we are about to discuss are high-quality and safe for consumption. Continue reading for details.
Fab CBD
As one of the best CBD oil for athletic recovery, Fab CBD is a high-quality, organic product. The manufacturer utilizes organically grown hemp form Colorado and third-party tests the product. You can get the oil in four flavors mint, natural, berry, and vanilla. It also comes in a natural hemp taste if that is what you are looking for.
The Fab CBD oil formula relieves stress, enhances calmness and focus, and supports recovery after workouts. However, it entails full-spectrum CBD to ensure users benefit from the entourage effect of all the cannabinoids. The brand provides four CBD potencies to choose from 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg, and they all some in 30ml bottles. Using 1ml per serving, you get 30 servings, while 0.5ml provides you with 60 portions. To know more about the company in details be sure to have a peek at our FAB CBD Review.
Pros
- Contains premium, natural flavoring
- Offers several CBD strengths
- Mixes properly with multiple drinks
- Has a one-year shelf life
- Non-GMO with zero pesticides
- Has great aroma and taste
- Come in an elegant dropper bottle
Cons
- Not ideal for athletes as it has full spectrum CBD
Athlete’s Best
Athlete’s Best utilizes broad spectrum cannabidiol in its CBD oil, making it suitable for athletes. It has no THC, which means no worrying about failing drug tests. The company has its own organic hemp farms and third-party tests the tinctures for potency and purity.
The flavor options here are peppermint, lemon, and orange, while the CBD potencies to choose from include 500mg 1000mg, and 1500mg. However, this brand uses advanced nano technology that ensures a superior absorption rate of the CBD oil.
Pros
- Non-GMO and solvent-free
- THC-free to suit every user
- Has no pesticides or heavy metals
- Made in GMP-certified facilities
- High-quality and eco-friendly
Cons
- Some brads offer more CBD strengths
Green Roads
Green Roads CBD oil is a pharmacists-formulated product rich in cannabinoids. The brand provides both full and broad-spectrum tinctures, so it caters for both athletes and other people. While other companies include a dropper on CBD oil bottles, Green Roads uses a plunger system. The tinctures come in 300mg, 750mg, and 1500mg potencies, which represent mild, moderate, and might strengths.
Besides, the brand offers another purchase option, where a pack carries packets with specific amounts of CBD.
Pros
- High-quality and expert-created
- Offers CBD in various concentrations
- Has no artificial colors, flavors, or sugars
- Gluten and soy-free
- Vegan-friendly and third-party tested
Cons
- The brand should offer more flavors
CBDfx
CBDfx has improved its classic CBD oil and added more ingredients. It offers both full and broad-spectrum CBD oil in 500mg, 1000mg, 2000mg, and 4000mg potencies. However, the full-spectrum oil contains CBD and CBN (a relaxing cannabinoid). All the potencies have 150mg CBN except for the 4000mg, which contains 300mg of CBD. As for the broad-spectrum CBD oil, it contains CBD and CBG in a ratio of 2:1.
It also incorporates two powerful antioxidants curcumin and coenzyme Q10, which are helpful for athletes. CBDfx uses hemp from Kentucky and extracts CBD using the CO2 method.
Pros
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Available in various potencies
- Contains stevia, a natural sweetener
- Cruelty, pesticide, and solvent-free
- High-quality, all-natural, and non-GMO
- Has MCT oil for better absorption
Cons
- Some users might not like the herbaceous taste
CBDistillery
With the CBDistillery CBD brand, you get cannabidiol oil in full and broad-spectrum types. The potencies to choose from are 500mg, 1000mg, and 2500mg, and they all come in 30ml bottles. The brand also provides CBG-CBD tinctures in a ratio of 1:1 in 1000mg and 2000mg strengths. Yu can check the third-party results of the CBD oil from the website or scan the QR codes on the product label.
Pros
- High-quality and non-GMO
- Available in two types of CBD
- Has a 60-day money-back guarantee
- Simple to utilize
- THC-free
Cons
- Has no flavor choices
Is CBD Oil or Any CBD Products Considered Legal in Sports?
CBD oil and other CBD products are legal in sports according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The organization allows use of CBD in various forms such as tinctures, creams, and sprays. Note that CBD does not boost athletic performance, make athletes high, or harm their health. WADA removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances in January 2018, and refers to it as alternative treatment. It separated cannabidiol from other cannabis derivatives, as CBD is a totally different cannabinoid that stands on its own. It is safe, non-intoxicating, and non-addictive. However, big sports organizations such as NFL, NBA, and MLB still recognize CBD as a banned product.
Buying Guide for Beginner Athletics
The CBD market provides a wide range of CBD oils for athletic recovery. It can be tough selecting the right product to buy, especially for beginners. Do not worry. You are on the right platform to know more. Below are factors to keep in mind as you buy CBD oil online to ensure you settle for high-grade products.
• Hemp Sourcing
Purchase CBD oil made from organically grown industrial hemp. Such is free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and other artificial chemicals. Some CBD companies grow their own hemp plants. However, others get the herb from farmers. Colorado supplies various companies with organic hemp for making superior CBD oil. Nevertheless, Kentucky and Oregon also have hemp farms cultivated using natural farming practices.
• CBD Extraction Method
The supercritical CO2 extraction is the safest and cleanest method of deriving CBD from hemp. Carbon dioxide is a harmless component. The method does not involve any solvents such as ethanol or butane. CO2 allows CBD oil manufacturers to extract clean CBD with no residues from hemp. Experts use CO2 when it has properties of both a gas and a liquid and direct it into a compartment with hemp plants.
• Lab Testing
Apart from tests done during the manufacturing process and on the final product, third-party testing is necessary too. Make sure the CBD oil you buy undergoes testing at a certified, independent lab that confirms the ingredients a CBD brand utilizes. The test check for cannabinoids, microbials, pesticides, and heavy metals, among other contaminants. The lab report should be easily accessible for customers. Great CBD brands include it in the product photos on their website. However, some CBD oils have QR codes on the packaging. Scan them and get to know the components you are consuming.
• CBD Potency
CBD tinctures are available in different strengths. As a beginner, start with low concentrations to allow your body to familiarize with CBD. You can increase the dose in small increments if the lowest dose is not giving you the relief you need.
• Type of CBD
As mentioned earlier, you can use isolate, broad spectrum, or full spectrum CBD oil. However, athletes should utilize tinctures with CBD isolate or broad spectrum cannabidiol, as they do not have any THC. Other people can use any of the three types of CBD. Broad and full spectrum CBDs provide the entourage effect. However, when the only hemp component you want in your body is CBD, purchase a tincture with CBD isolate. You can check out this link to learn more about the differences between full spectrum and isolate.
• Other Ingredients
Simple CBD oil contains cannabidiol and a carrier oil such as MCT or hemp seed oil. However, as mentioned earlier, some brands add flavors to their CBD oil. Ensure the flavoring is all-natural. You do not want to ingest anything that might harm you. Besides, speak with a doctor before using CBD, especially if you are on medication or have a health condition. CBD interacts with some medications, something that should not happen.
Conclusion
With the above guide, it becomes easier to buy the right CBD oil for athletic recovery. Whether you are a professional athlete or love working out, CBD oil can help with the recovery process, among other benefits. It also relieves pain, anxiety, stress, and inflammation to help you feel better and live a healthier, happier life. Besides the products we have reviewed, use the factors we have discussed to determine if other CBD oils you come across are worth consuming.
