Most out there are very aware that we need to exercise in order to maintain good overall health, but not all of us always feel ready to put on our workout gear and get active. It’s no wonder why so many struggle simply to exercise as much as we should; given the tendencies of working long hours, dealing with lots of responsibilities around the house, and experience burnout on a regular basis.
However, the reality is that if we don’t work out often, our health can suffer greatly as a result. So, we must do something in order to feel motivated, energized and focused enough to get through an exercise regimen as part of our weekly schedule.
Sure, there are workout enhancement products on the market, but for those who wish to take a more holistic and natural approach to fitness, there’s CBD. We know what you’re thinking – isn’t CBD the hemp product that people take to relax, sleep more easily and destress? Well, the answer is a little complicated. CBD works with the body’s natural regulatory process that helps balance out things like mood, sleep and, as you’ll see, energy.
The Importance of Maintaining a Good Workout Routine
Before we talk about the relationship between CBD and working out, let’s first discuss why exercise is so important, and why you should take action to ensure that you have the physical and mental ability to work out regularly. We tend to associate working out with maintaining a healthy body weight, and that’s completely true. Staying within a healthy BMI range is essential, as being overweight can lead to an increased risk of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
But, even if you’re not struggling with your weight, exercise is crucial. Every bodily system depends on it. When we work out, our circulatory system receives necessary oxygen. Our blood pressure improves. Our hormones become more balanced, lifting our mood. Our lungs increase their capacity. Our digestive tract is more capable of operating properly. Our immunity is increased. And many, many more aspects of our overall health improve.
Ways in Which People Enhance Their Workouts
Like we said, a lot of people have a hard time feeling motivated enough to work out. And, so, they turn to exercise enhancers that supply them with the energy needed to get through a fitness regimen. The problem is that a lot of these products simply aren’t good for you and shouldn’t be taken regularly. Stimulants like caffeine and sugar may give you a spike of energy, but it’s followed by a harsh crash that can leave you feeling unwell. Also, these stimulants can interfere with the balance of hormones when taken periodically or improperly. There are other exercise aids as well that are simply too harsh for us to take regularly, as they can be endocrine disruptors that can interfere with the function of the thyroid and the adrenals.
CBD and Working Out: Is There a Connection?
So, can CBD help a person achieve a better workout routine? Let’s see what science has to say.
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
Before we get into the specifics regarding CBD’s potential effects on fitness, we first have to understand how CBD is utilized by the body. CBD is a cannabinoid, and it therefore is processed by the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system was discovered in the 1990s, and has since been widely studied for its impact on our overall health. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis. It takes cannabinoids and sends them to cannabinoid receptors that exist all throughout the body. When cannabinoid receptors bind with cannabinoids, regulatory actions occur that affect their adjacent bodily processes.
The endocannabinoid system basically ensures that every bodily process is functioning in a way that’s efficient and balanced. For instance, cannabinoid receptors in the brain help regulate hormonal secretion, cognitive function and neuron regeneration. Cannabinoid receptors in the digestive tract help regulate inflammation, digestive function and maintenance of the protective lining that keeps the intestines working properly.
CBD and Energy
A recent study observed the effects of CBD on energy homeostasis. Energy homeostasis refers to the maintenance of the natural energy cycle of the human body. Our energy is supposed to peak in the morning and decline at night. Our energy is supposed to be sustained throughout the day so that we can execute necessary tasks. But, many things disrupt this natural homeostasis, causing our energy to dip and peak at inappropriate times. Chronic stress, poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyle habits can all leave us feeling depleted during the times when we most need our energy supply.
Working out relies heavily on having a supply of energy. If CBD can maintain our energy cycle, then it may be able to help us feel more physically motivated to engage in exercise.
CBD and Cognition
The same mechanisms involved in utilizing CBD for energy homeostasis affect our cognition as well. Not only do we need physical energy to work out, but we also need to be in the right state of cognition. This means that we need to be alert, mentally motivated, mentally energized, and capable of concentrating on the tasks at hand. Therefore, CBD may help regulate our cognitive function so that we can be in the right mental mindset to complete a workout routine. Some of us may have the physical stamina to exercise, but our minds get distracted easily, and so we don’t fulfill our exercise goals. CBD may allow us to stay focused on getting through our exercise sessions without getting distracted or losing motivation.
CBD and Stress
Another thing that can interfere with our ability to work out is our mood. We all know how hard it can be to feel the desire to work out when we’re overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. These two conditions can make us feel less motivated to take care of ourselves. On a physiological level, both conditions produce an excess level of cortisol that fills the blood and makes us feel more physically tired and generally unwell.
There have been numerous studies that show CBD’s potential ability to regulate cortisol production, which means that CBD may help us feel less stressed out, and uplift our mood. This is extremely valuable information, as many of us find that stress is what gets in the way of maintaining a healthy fitness lifestyle.
CBD and Pain
Another thing that gets in the way of exercising is pain. Physical pain can make us feel like working out will simply be a miserable experience. Pain caused by an injury can make it unsafe to work out, as we risk injuring ourselves further.
One thing that we know about CBD is that it has the potential to provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Findings show that CBD may be able to help with pain of all kinds, whether they be caused by an injury, wear and tear or simple tension throughout the muscles. This can make the body feel more comfortable when it’s time to work out and can potentially help injuries heal at a quicker rate. This also means that CBD may be able to support the body as it recovers from exercise.
Taking CBD for Working Out
If you wanna take CBD for working out, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. One is that CBD works best when taken daily, even on days when you’re not working out. This supports the endocannabinoid system effectively so that it can fulfill its job. The other thing to keep in mind is that you should time your CBD properly so that it peaks in the system when you’re ready to exercise. When you should take it depends on the delivery method that you’re using.
Overall, taking CBD for working out may be the most natural and holistic way to enhance your fitness lifestyle. If you wish to take your exercise to the next level, it’s worth giving hemp a try thanks to its multitude of properties.
Now go incorporate CBD into your workout routine in the most proper manner!
