Running a marathon or sprinting to complete a short race might result in body aches and pains. Participating in intense workouts can also leave you with muscle aches, and you might purchase an analgesic to manage the pain. That is why professional athletes often get addicted to opiates and other strong painkillers. It starts with a pain tablet to manage the discomfort and escalates to a full-blown habit, which is quite risky for athletes.
Fortunately, experts in the sports industry are exploring alternative solutions to aid athletes in pain management. Medical cannabis could be an effective solution to help athletes with pain. Many see it as a seamless option that adds value to the health and wellness of the sports fraternity.
This article gives insight into how cannabis can help with managing pain.
Research shows that cannabis has analgesic properties that help in reducing inflammation. Marijuana has a non-psychoactive component called cannabinoid – CBD, extracted from the hemp variety. CBD is responsible for easing inflammation in the muscles or joints. It has effective healing properties to help athletes who encounter injuries during training sessions or field events.
Since CBD has low THC levels, athletes don’t get intoxicated by the drug. It can be used as a tincture, topical, or lotion targeted to heal the affected body areas. CBD relaxes the muscles and tissues and reduces inflammation for fast relief. Many athletes now prefer to use CBD-infused products because of the effectiveness and wellness balance found in cannabis.
You can purchase the products from https://askgrowers.com/cbd/cbd-topicals/cbd-massage-oils and get the relief you need.
Besides having anti-inflammatory properties, medical cannabis also relieves pain. The medical sector records many positive cannabis results from patients with chronic conditions. Some terminal illnesses doctors prescribe marijuana for are cancer, rheumatism, epilepsy, etc. Thus, it is an option worth trying in the sports industry rather than relying on risky opiate drugs.
Pure CBD oil can make a difference when an athlete is injured or has pain from previous surgery. It alleviates pain and is non-addictive. You can continue enjoying a well-balanced life while using medical cannabis for the right reasons.
Another way that cannabis can help athletes is muscle spasm management. Medical marijuana is already applied in many hospitals in the states that have legalized its use to treat conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.
Therefore, the same properties can also manage muscle spasms in athletes. The anti-inflammatory compounds in cannabis play a great role in reducing spasms and promoting muscle recovery.
According to research, cannabis has terpene compounds that promote restful sleep. It is a great option for athletes suffering from intense pain. Better sleep means fast recovery from muscle or joint injuries.
Sleep is an essential factor in regaining overall fitness as an athlete. Thus, medical cannabis can be a great option for enhancing performance. Besides recovery, it reduces stress levels and enhances the better quality of sleep. However, athletes need to know the right dosage to avoid sleeping more hours and getting a brain fog after waking up.
Countless and genuine research studies support the significance of cannabis in promoting health and wellness for global athletes. However, marijuana tops the list of drugs the World Anti-doping Agency banned. The major reason for the ban is that the plant enhances athletic performance; hence, it is prohibited.
Another cause is that cannabis use affects the athlete due to slow brain reactions. Thus, the athlete might harm oneself or others in the field. Lastly, athletes who use cannabis will damage their reputation because society views sports people as role models.
Therefore, cannabis use is still illegal in the sports arena. But many experts are campaigning to alter the cannabis regulations to accommodate medicinal use for athletes. For instance, the NFL has replaced cannabis suspensions with fines for its players who consume the drug. Besides, the organization has funded two universities to research more about the benefits of cannabis in managing pain and concussion-related injuries.
Athletes are prone to strenuous exercises that result in muscle and joint pains. Those in extreme sports get head injuries and concussions, which might lead to traumatic brain conditions. Thus, weed may become a viable option for treating conditions specific to athletes. For many centuries, cannabis has been the drug of choice for managing pain and inflammation. Besides, modern researchers can attest to the healing properties that cannabis offers.
The sports industry has not fully embraced weed treatment yet. However, more research is underway due to the controversies about cannabis. More so in sports, where doping is a great offense. The World Anti-doping Agency might retain the ban on marijuana despite its immense health benefits to athletes. Therefore, athletes must learn more about cannabis before consuming it. It is about getting the right dose, ratio, and method of administration to reap the full benefits with minimal risks.
Ultimately, cannabis offers a safe and effective option compared to opioids and other highly addictive painkillers.