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CBD for Cycling: The Effects on Performance and Recovery
CBD Topical
Sports Performance
Sports Recovery

 

CBD for Cycling: The Effects on Performance and Recovery


Legendary Belgian rider Eddy Merckx said it best: "The race is won by the rider who can suffer the most."

In the sport of cycling, suffering leads to glory. But it's easy to hit the wall with your body screaming 'enough.' Burning legs, increasing fatigue, and dropping focus all impact performance.

You overwork your endocannabinoid system as a cyclist, leading to pain and inflammation. That's where cannabidiol (CBD) comes in. It regulates your nervous system and affects your body and mind's pain perception.

Read on to discover how CBD can help unlock your potential as a cyclist.

The Science Behind Performance and Recovery in Cycling With CBD

Found naturally in the cannabis plant, CBD can provide faster recovery and help cyclists reduce stress and anxiety. Other medical benefits include pain/inflammation relief and better sleep.

Increases Focus and Pain Tolerance In Performance

Pushing hard on a bicycle depends on your ability to push yourself mentally and physically. Everyone's ceiling of physical limits and tolerance is different and often dictated by their mental fitness.

Using CBD before a ride can make you feel calm. CBD assists in the synthesis of your body's stressbusters endocannabinoids. CBD activates the chemical receptors sensitive to "happy hormones" like dopamine and serotonin. In turn, these chemical compounds help enhance anandamide — your body's internal cannabis molecules. The process results in an elevated mood and a boost in energy.

CBD further increases your focus by reducing inflammation and chronic pain. And studies have shown the value of CBD in sports, including its antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. Reducing hyperactivity puts your mind and body in a relaxed state.

Often, the nervous system goes into overdrive, affecting a rider's concentration levels. After using CBD, combine the lowered anxiety levels with meditation, and your brain will experience a healthier serotonin balance. Our Muscle MX's CBD Relax Drops can help increase your focus and pain tolerance during cycling.

Offers Pain Relief and Shortens Recovery Time

Like any endurance sport, cycling comes with its share of aches and pains. It could be the pain in your hands after keeping them in the same position for a long time or an aching, overworked hip.

With its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pharmacological properties, CBD can be an athlete's best friend. You can apply a CBD-infused muscle balm or body lotion to soothe muscle soreness and aches. CBD will assist the healing process while limiting your usage of prescription drugs.

To use CBD in recovery, try our extra strength, ultra-cooling topicals for short and long-term pain management.

Sleep prepares your body before and after a long ride by reducing anxious thoughts and aiding muscle recovery. But a poor night's sleep can have adverse effects. CBD has therapeutic effects on insomnia, meaning products like CBD oils can lead to blissful sleep.

Prevents Inflammation From Occurring on a Long Ride

Long cycling sessions are often followed by fatigue, pain, and tightness in your muscles, which can also lead to soreness and joint pain. CBD can bring relief by reducing inflammation.

But first, what is inflammation? It is the body's self-healing mechanism that's triggered by an ailment. However, the inflammatory response can sometimes cause a larger-than-needed reaction.

While acute inflammation is often caused by an injury and resolves itself quickly, chronic inflammation can lead to prolonged pain, redness, and swelling. A study found that three out of five people die worldwide from inflammatory diseases like diabetes, obesity, and other respiratory and heart disorders.

CBD activates the endocannabinoid system that regulates bodily processes. This can help your body achieve a stable condition called homeostasis. CBD can also improve your mobility by reducing inflammation.

Ensures You Can Ride Long-Term by Fighting Any Chronic Pain

If you cycle, chances are you have experienced that nagging pain in your lower back. You don't even have to be a cyclist for that. According to the Health Policy Institute, almost 65 million Americans have had a recent episode of back pain.

Back pain can go from mild to severe. If it's extreme, it can make even sleeping or walking impossible. Treatments for such chronic pain can range from medication and therapy to acupuncture or even surgery.

CBD can help relieve chronic pain by interacting with chemical receptors in your body and triggering the aforementioned endocannabinoid system. Products like CBD oil affect how your body and mind perceive pain.

CBD creams can help you relax and get a good night's sleep, while its muscle-relaxant properties can also provide relief from spasms.

What To Look for in CBD To Improve Performance and Recovery

With CBD for cycling, there are options aplenty. There are CBD capsules, drops, oils to be ingested, and various topical options, such as creams and balms. Knowing the different delivery methods to maximize their health benefits is crucial. You can find the correct dosage by starting low and going slow.

A few drops of CBD oil under your tongue before a ride can provide fast results. Tinctures start working within 30 minutes and last nearly two hours. With CBD gummies, the effects can be longer-lasting if you time them correctly.

CBD ointments and creams can be applied directly to inflamed joints or muscles. They act on the targetted areas quickly and are long-lasting.

These popular products can be made from full-spectrum hemp extract, which contains CBD and other hemp plant compounds, such as trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While THC is the compound in cannabis that alters a person's perception, CBD is non-toxic and non-addictive. So you can try different products to find what works best for you.

Whether you're riding casually or trying to reach greater heights in your cycling career, CBD has you covered. However, getting your cannabis plant products from a trusted manufacturer is essential. At Muscle MX, we test our safe and effective products for quality and efficiency. Our products meet FDA guidelines for cGMP standards for dietary and food supplements.

Next time you plan to get on the bike, choose Muscle MX. Our products can relieve chronic pain, tweaks, strains, and sprains after intense cycling sessions. So check out our range of high-quality CBD products today.

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