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WHY MORE ATHLETES ARE TURNING TO WEED

The legalization of cannabis in many states of the USA has led to a change in the way the substance is not only viewed, but used.  Many people who previously did not use cannabis for fear of legal repercussions are now finding it helpful, and there are many groups of people who now use cannabis regularly for medicinal and recreational purposes. 

One such group are athletes. Why are we seeing many athletes begin to use weed, and what are the benefits? That’s what we are looking at in the article that follows, so let’s begin. 

Weed and Athletes 

The benefits of vaping cannabis – vaping being the easiest and safest way to do so as it does not involve combustion – are many, but this may come as a surprise to some. Within our body we release substances called endocannabinoids which are helpful with stamina and energy. These are released when vigorous exercise is undertaken. Now within the cannabis plant are many compounds, some of which are cannabinoids. Cannabidiol – CBD – is one of these.

It follows, then, that taking on board more cannabinoids is going to be a good thing for an athlete. Furthermore, cannabis enhances oxygen in the blood and also acts as a relaxant. It can help with getting a good sleep pattern – essential for an athlete – and also acts as an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever.

In addition to the above, weed alleviates muscle cramps and spasms, which are frequently a problem for many athletes, so is further welcomed. It is, however, important that the use of cannabis – either in training or in competition – is determined legal by the governing body of the relevant sport. If not so, the athlete may find they are in breach of the rules.

If you’re new to the concept of vaping, we recommend you check out major retailer Vape4Ever as they will be able to help answer any questions you might have. Now, what if you want to achieve the above without getting the ‘high’ that cannabis comes with? The answer is CBD, so let’s talk about that.

CBD and Athletes

 

As we have mentioned above, CBD is a compound of the cannabis plant and is extracted for use in vape oils and other products. You’ll find some excellent examples at Gala CBD who are one of the leading brands in the CBD market. What’s the difference between CBD and marijuana? For CBD products to be sold as such they must have no more than a trace amount of THC – tetrahydrocannabinol – which is another of the many compounds of cannabis.

THC is the element that induces the familiar ‘high’ and as it is absent in CBD products, these are favoured by athletes and others who want the benefits as mentioned above, but do not want the high that comes with vaping, smoking or ingesting cannabis. 

CBD is used by athletes in training and in some sports in competition, although again it is essential to ensure that it is legal to do so by checking with the regulatory body of the relevant sport. So, what can we conclude from the above, and should you be using cannabis or CBD in your sporting endeavours?

Conclusion

Both cannabis and CBD are becoming more widely used by athletes as the world opens up to the benefits of marijuana in terms of what it can do for the body. It is recommended that you consult with a trainer about how best to use these products to the greatest benefit, as they will be able to advise you about dosage and when you should be taking either weed or CBD.

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