It didn’t take long for the hype to be followed by research and a little more information, however. Cannabidiol (CBD) is found naturally in the cannabis plant just like THC is. The big difference here though is that CBD isn’t psychoactive, where as THC is. The research has found that CBD can bind to receptors in the spinal cord and brain which results in effects on the central nervous system. It has also found that it can an influence on the immune system. This is where the claims of CBD helping to reduce inflammation comes from.
When a new supplement comes out you can pretty much bet your house on athletes taking an interest in it. Athletes are constantly stressing out their body with vigorous training regimes and even though their nutrition is on point, certain supplements can further aid in recovery.
The question is then, what can CBD do for athletes? Is it worth taking?
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits CBD claims to have on the body.
3 main benefits of CBD
Improvement in sleep – Every athlete, whether professional or not should know the importance of sleep. Sleep is when the body recovers and without excellent sleep any athlete is going to struggle to perform at their best. CBD can help make getting to sleep easier and staying asleep easier as well.
Reducing inflammation – Although a small amount of inflammation triggers important responses, we all know what it feels like to be achy and lethargic after a tough session. Too much inflammation will definitely hurt performance and affect recovery, so something that can reduce this is going to be welcomed by any athlete. As mentioned briefly earlier, CBD affects the receptors in the immune system and it has been shown to provide anti-inflammatory properties. This means you potentially can recover faster and get into the gym sooner after a tough session. What’s not to like about that?
Reduce pain – It was already well documented that THC was effective for reducing pain, especially in cancer patients and those with chronic arthritis. The research into CBD having the same effects is lacking compared to that of THC, however the research that is available and product reviews certainly point towards CBD reducing levels of pain for those that supplement with it. 
There are a few other claimed benefits such as improved gut health and being a healthier alternative to pills that reduce inflammation (such as ibuprofen), but those three are the standouts that will benefit athletes the most. It is a strong trio and if you already have most of your recovery nailed, it's worth adding in CBD for a month to see how your body reacts to it. There is a range of strengths to try as well as different options for administration. I recommend starting in the low to medium strength for your first time and then moving up if you can’t feel any benefits.
