CBD Oil for Athletes in Ireland; How Can It Be Helpful?

Athletes put a great deal of pressure on their bodies when they train for competitions. To recover from intense workouts, they usually turn to painkillers. While these are effective, they’re often more dangerous than beneficial. So athletes are always looking for alternative solutions. One of these solutions is the all-natural CBD oil. It has gained a lot of attention with promises of pain relief and reduced inflammation. Many have added it to their routines and others are curious to learn more about it. But is it really effective? Can athletes take CBD oil to boost athletic performance? Stay with us as we answer all these questions in this article. We’ll take a look at the role of CBD oil in sports and its potential benefits. Plus, we’ll talk about the legality of CBD oil for athletes in Ireland who are eager to try this product. 

Dangers of Current Stimulants and Painkillers

All Athletes experience sports-related injuries at some point in their careers. To deal with the pain, they turn to over-the-counter NSAIDs. Although these are very effective, they carry multiple risks ranging from stroke and heart attack to renal failure. 

There is also an opioid epidemic going on among athletes. Opioid painkillers create a euphoric feeling in the user and are extremely addictive, sometimes even fatal. In 2019 alone, more than 50,000 people overdosed from opioids. Their other health risks include: 

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing   

Some athletes also take stimulants to improve their performance. The side effects of which are:  

• Addiction
• Heart palpitations
• Lower blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Dehydration
• Tremors

So it’s no wonder that athletes are searching for a better solution. And CBD oil might just be it. 

What Is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Another famous cannabinoid is THC which is a psychoactive compound. CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get you high. 

 Although research on CBD is limited, current studies show its potential in treating numerous conditions affecting athletes. They also suggest that CBD can treat opioid addiction without being addictive itself! 

According to the World Health Organisation, CBD is generally safe, with few side effects like fatigue and diarrhoea in some cases. 

 But for most people, CBD is completely safe and potentially beneficial. These benefits have attracted many professional athletes from around the world. But does CBD actually help athletes? 

How Is CBD Oil Good For Athletes?

To understand the benefits of CBD oil for athletes, we first have to look at how CBD works. 

We already have cannabinoids in our bodies. They interact with the newly found endocannabinoid system (ECS) that modulates some of our important functions and maintains homeostasis. Endocannabinoids do this by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors and preventing certain neurotransmitters from being produced. Scientists believe that CBD may help us by binding to these receptors and enhancing their activities. 

With athletes' bodies being under constant stress, ECS can get overwhelmed and CBD might be able to help bring back balance. 

Based on current findings, here are some of the potential benefits of CBD oil in sports. 

Pain

Athletes experience pain from intense workout sessions. One of CBD’s most promising potentials is its ability to alleviate pain. Research shows that this cannabinoid can impact inhibitory pathways that cause pain. Clinical trials with more than 1,000 people also showed the efficiency of cannabinoids in managing chronic pain. 

So CBD oil for athletes in Ireland can be a healthier alternative to NSAIDs and opioids for pain management. 

Inflammation

Inflammation is good up to a point and can help stimulate training adaptations. After that, it can be painful, prevent recovery, and affect athletic performance. 

According to a study, cannabinoids can reduce inflammation by inducing apoptosis and limiting cytokine production. In other words, they can lower the inflammatory responses after a hard workout so athletes can recover faster. 

Anxiety

The stress of competitions, hard workouts, and injuries can create anxiety in athletes and keep them from performing at their best. 

Numerous studies show CBD’s efficiency in reducing anxiety behaviours related to different disorders. From general anxiety to social anxiety and post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), CBD has been able to impact them all positively. It has even successfully helped people overcome their fear of public speaking! 

So it might just be able to help athletes feel calmer. 

Sleep

A good night’s sleep gives athletes the chance to recover and perform better. Those who suffer from insomnia don’t get this chance. 

Multiple studies show that CBD has the potential to induce sleep and help users have a more restful night. It can also lead to better sleep by lowering stress hormones and anxiety. 

Muscle Relaxation

Athletes experience muscle soreness after a long training session. This can make the simplest movements difficult and slow down recovery. 

Since CBD can affect the nervous system, it may be able to decrease tension. Research shows that it can help muscle relaxation by interacting with GABA-A receptors in the body.

Another potential of CBD oil for athletes’ recovery lies in its ability to control cortisol levels. Cortisol is responsible for breaking down lean muscle tissue and studies show that CBD can keep its levels in check. 

These are just some of CBD oil’s potential benefits for athletes. Others that are being studied include CBD’s role in improving focus, treating cardiovascular conditions, reducing nausea, and controlling appetite. Although more research is needed to confirm these benefits, there is not much harm in trying CBD and finding out for yourself. It may be just what you need. But is it even legal for athletes to use CBD oil in sports? 

Is CBD Oil Legal For Athletes?

If you're wondering about the legality of CBD oil for athletes in Ireland, you should know that the World Anti-Doping Agency removed this cannabinoid from its list of prohibited substances in 2018. So athletes can legally use CBD. 

Not THC though. The psychoactive compound of cannabis is still prohibited and only tolerated up to a 150 ng/ml urinary threshold. This is to detect THC used near events and not its casual consumption or the minimum concentrations found in full spectrum CBD oils. 

Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

No, CBD doesn't show up on drug tests. These tests look for THC and its metabolites. So using CBD oil, even the full spectrum one with up to 0.2% THC shouldn't cause you to test positive. That is if you buy from a trusted brand like Full Circle Hemp that lists all its ingredients on the label. If you want to be completely safe, you can even opt for a Broad Spectrum CBD oil with zero THC.  

CBD Oil in Sports

Professional athletes in different sports experience the significant pain of intense training and the gruelling stress of competition. 

 Luckily, many of them are discovering the potential of CBD oil in dealing with these situations. 

 Let's take a better look at the positive role of CBD oil in sports.

CBD Oil for MMA Fighters

MMA fighters use different martial arts techniques that increase the risk of injury. So CBD oil can prove to be useful. Fighters use it for faster muscle recovery, pain management, and better sleep. 

Nate Diaz was one of the first ones who popularised CBD in MMA when he pulled out a CBD vape during an interview after his match against Conor McGregor. He claimed it helped him in so many ways and even to this day, he uses it constantly. 

Bass Rutten is another fighter that uses CBD. He struggled with opioid addiction after an injury, but CBD helped him get back on track. He is now a strong advocate of CBD products. Other MMA fighters who endorse CBD oil include Joe Schilling, Leslie Smith, and Roman Mironenko. 

CBD Oil for Rugby Players

Rugby is a physically demanding sport that puts a lot of pressure on the athlete's body. Players are no strangers to strong painkillers with serious side effects and they’re searching for better alternatives. 

 Enter CBD. 

 A new study shows that 80% of rugby players use CBD to fight intense pain and inflammation. 67% said that they experienced the bene>its of CBD. 

 Dominic Day and George Kruis are two of the rugby players who endorse CBD oil for better athletic performance. Dominic claims that after 15 years of trying different treatments, he came across CBD and has been using it ever since. 

CBD Oil for Golfers

While golf might not seem as demanding as other sports, it definitely takes a toll on the players, causing extreme back and joint pain. 

Golfers have openly embraced CBD since its legalisation in 2018. They praise it for its pain management and anti-anxiety effects and claim that it has helped them play more with a calmer mind. 

Scott McCarron, PGA Tour Champions player, claims that CBD helps him focus and perform at his best. Billy Horschel is another golfer who after a few losses had four top-eight finishes with the help of CBD. Other known golfers who swear by CBD include Phil Mickelson and Lucas Glover. 

CBD Oil for Boxers

Boxing takes a toll on the athlete’s mind and body. Just a few blows are enough to cause immense pain and force the boxers to take some time off. 

But the game has changed since pro boxers have discovered CBD. CBD’s potential in reducing traumatic brain injuries is especially promising because boxers are constantly at risk of brain damage. 

Shannon Briggs, a heavyweight boxer with 25 years of experience under his belt, struggled to keep his body healthy until he came across CBD. He claims that CBD has changed his life. 20-year-old Teo>imo Lopez is another boxer who has been using CBD for a couple of years for pain management. Other advocates of CBD include Denver Cuello, Ferdinand Kerobyan, and Jessie Magdaleno. 

Gary Cully an Irish professional boxer who has held the Irish lightweight title since February 2020 and also European title. Full Circle Hemp is proud to sponsor Gary, an incredibly talented boxer & total gentleman who is destined for great things. 

Here's a word from Gary and how he uses Full Circle Hemp CBD:

“I like to use Full Circle Hemp CBD after a hard day in the gym. It allows me to wind down and helps me to relax, I also find it hugely beneficial if I’m ever feeling anxious, and also notice benefits with my physical recovery. My sleep has also improved massively since I’ve started using CBD, I used to struggle to get to sleep, now I get around 10 hours every night!”

What Is the Best CBD Oil for Athletes in Ireland?

Full spectrum CBD oil used by athletes is the best option because it contains all the beneficial components of the plant. Scientists believe that the combination of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in this product enhances the properties through the entourage effect. 

Broad spectrum CBD oil also has all the components, except for THC. These are ideal products for athletes who want to benefit from CBD but avoid THC. 

Ultimately, the best CBD oil for athletes is the full spectrum oil and they should opt for that if possible because it has the highest potential to help them.

Final Word

Many athletes have been hurt and lost their careers due to opioid addictions. CBD oil can be an excellent alternative without the dangerous side effects. There are still a lot of unknowns about CBD oil in sports, but current studies point to its safety and benefits. 

So if you want to see how it can help you, go ahead and give it a try after consulting your doctor. Start with small doses since the optimal CBD oil dosage for athletes is not known. 

If you’re looking for a premium product to start your CBD journey, try Full Circle Hemp, Ireland’s leading CBD brand. Full Circle Hemp cares about your health and that’s why it only provides the highest quality CBD Oils for athletes in the UK and Ireland. So try it out today and experience the wonders of CBD for yourself. 

Share this article with your friends and let us know in the comments how CBD oil has helped your athletic performance.