The basic answer is yes, it undoubtedly is, according to athletes and fans of CBD, but there is more research needed to fully support the claim.  This post will explore how CBD may be good for performance, and when you should take your CBD product to perform and recover efficiently. 

CBD for Athletes

Athletes have been taking CBD and cannabis products for a while now as they have been experiencing the benefit of being able to go deeper into pushing their bodies to their limits, while also experiencing better and more efficient recovery.  Better recovery also means that they are able to be fresher quicker, to be able to do it (a hard training session or race) again and again, with less risk of burnout. 

How CBD May Benefit Athletes

There are several ways CBD works on our bodies to possibly allow for better performance, but we’ll try to keep it as simple as possible.  First of all, we have a whole system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that is composed of cannabinoids/neurotransmitter (chemicals) that our bodies produce (especially in times of stress, like exercise), as well as receptor sites and enzymes that act on the cannabinoids.  When we exercise, our bodies start producing and circulating the cannabinoids in response to the exertion/pain/inflammation of our activity.  The cannabinoids (one is called anandamide, the “bliss molecule”) work to quell the inflammation/pain.  CBD can also work well to quell pain and inflammation, and teams up with anandamide to make it work even better. 

CBD + Anandamide can be a Power Couple Ideal for Athletes

As we produce anandamide in high quantities while we exercise, and we are able to push through the “pain cave”, we can go harder and longer in our activity.  Also, if we have consumed CBD (or other cannabinoids), it interacts with anandamide allowing it to be more effective, partly by interacting with an enzyme that breaks down anandamide, essentially allowing it to circulate longer.  In other words, CBD (a known anti-inflammatory/pain reliever) will allow for anandamide to do its job much more effectively, possibly allowing that athlete to push through the pain and even get a 2nd wind/”runner’s high” more readily.  It can also possibly mean a much quicker and more complete recovery.

Next time you want to exercise hard and push yourself, try adding CBD to your regime.  Take your favorite CBD product before (½ hour is ideal) and/or during your training session.  I personally love taking CBD both before and during long bike rides.  When I do so, I almost always experience my favorite reason to exercise, “The Runner’s High,” as so much more anandamide circulates through my body.  More anandamide, more natural anti-anxiety/anti-depressant to carry me throughout the rest of the day.  

Involvement of Spinal Cannabinoid CB2Receptors in Exercise-Induced Antinociception

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452219306165?via%3Dihub

Effects of Cannabidiol on Exercise Physiology and Bioenergetics: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial

https://sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-022-00417-y

Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6460372/