Topical CBD within action sports

Topical CBD and action sports

CBD is hugely popular these days, and available in a variety of forms. There are many reported benefits to supplementing with CBD, with a lot of anecdotal and some scientific evidence to support those claims. Whilst some of these claims are of a huge potential impact to healthcare, the smaller impacts are not to be overlooked. Such as in muscle recovery and anti inflammatory effects, in this article we will explore how topical CBD could help post exercise.

How CBD can benefit post exercise?

At any fitness level, exercise can leave your body sore for days, working out causes microscopic damage to muscle fibers. Those muscles then become inflamed, which triggers the body to respond and repair, causing muscle soreness or stiffness. Action sports athletes in particular put a lot of stress on their bodies, training, physical impacts and prolonged wear and tear can all contribute to pain and inflammation. Current methods of pain management are effective, but they’re also damaging to peoples health and caused a number of fatalities.

This is where CBD can step in offering anti inflammatory benefits without the additional damage to the body, as well as offering a natural approach to pain relief. According to a 2018 review of 132 original studies published in Frontiers in Neurology, the authors wrote “It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective,” in reference to CBD.

Many people report inflammation in the joints post exercise particularly in contact or action sports, this could occur because of some kind of injury in tendons, muscles or joints. Fatigue and muscle spasm is also common post exercise, due to the build up of lactic acid. Applying CBD oil topically could help to reduce inflammation in the joints and muscles. Improving the flow of oxygenated blood in the body helping to remove built up toxins from the muscles/joints and relax muscles to reduce spasms.

The effects of CBD can be further enhanced by other natural scientifically-proven analgesic compounds, like menthol, camphor, and capsaicin which can be found in our Hippie Turtle Herbal Co® Muscle Rub range. The heating or cooling sensation reduces pain in the nerves by distracting them with stimuli on top. We designed our balm to be firm enough to remain in convenient tins for an active lifestyle but so that it absorbs beautifully in to the skin with gentle massaging of the area, which further improves circulation and reduces muscle spasms.

Why menthol is more than just a fresh scent..

Menthol's familiar cooling sensation creates a pleasant diversion from pain. Although menthol doesn't actually change the skin's temperature, it attaches to certain neuronal receptors creating a cooling sensation. Whilst these effects do effectively distract from pain, they don’t affect the underlying inflammation but when partnered with CBD they work in perfect harmony to help relieve pain from training or sporting injuries.

Capsicum… Oooo spicy!

Capsaicin is the chemical found in chilli (Capsicum) peppers that gives them their unique hot and spicy taste. Interestingly, when applied topically acts as a pain reliever. The burning sensation from capsicum not only takes your mind off the pain in a similar fashion to menthol, but it can stimulate nerves into becoming temporarily desensitised, shutting down pain signals. 

A little note on camphor.. 

Camphor oil is extracted from the bark and wood of the camphor tree. When applied to the skin it helps to relieve pain and inflammation, camphor can create sensations that distract the nerves from pain. Camphor has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in animal models demonstrating its use in treating arthritis.

To summarise, all of these amazing natural ingredients are effective pain relievers and have shown anti inflammatory effects. When used in combination they are the perfect partner for your post workout recovery, especially for those who have a passion for action or contact sports.

Check out this awesome clip demonstrating these compounds being put to use in action sports, a big thanks for @tom_kilcoyne and @thekierancooper for putting this together!

Hippie Turtle Herbal Co Muscle Balm Promo from Hippie Turtle Herbal Co on Vimeo.