How CBD Can Help Both Before & After Working Out

Nothing holds you back from working out like a tired hamstring . . . or sore arms . . . or an aching ankle . . . the list can go on and on, especially as we get older. 

Thankfully, adding CBD before or after your workout regimen can assist in both performance and recovery. Studies suggest that CBD offers numerous physiological, biochemical, and psychological effects that have the potential to benefit athletic performance. Plus, not only can CBD keep inflammation and muscle fatigue at arm's length, but it can also promote healthy sleep. Combine all these benefits of CBD, and you may have one less reason to skip that Crossfit class or morning run. 

Here, we’ll dive into the various ways you can incorporate CBD into your before-workout preparation and post-exercise cool-down for the best long-term output.

How CBD Can Help Before Workouts

Using CBD Before Your Workout to Relax Muscles 

Whether you are a novice exerciser or someone who gets their reps in regularly, everyone who works out experiences some level of muscle tension, soreness, and inflammation. When one muscle in your body is exhausted or overworked, the others around it can stiffen up, acting like a protective shield, resulting in tense muscles. This overall stiffness reduces your mobility and can lead to injury. Luckily CBD can help relax your muscles pre-workout to maximize the results of your exercise routine. 

Everyone knows it is helpful to stretch and warm up before your workout to relax your muscles. Adding CBD to your routine before working out can be a game changer for prepping your body. Using CBD before workouts can help reduce muscular tension and support healthy blood flow, diminishing the time it takes to get your body warmed up.

CBD can reduce joint and muscle pain that could otherwise hold you back 

Using CBD before your workout can be an effective and natural solution for joint and muscle pain due to its pain-relieving, muscle-relaxing results. Full of anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can reduce swelling and inflammation that often occurs with muscle soreness, leading to faster recovery times and less discomfort. In some cases, joint pain can be caused by muscle spasms or tension. The muscle-relaxing properties of CBD help reduce spasms and relieve tension around the joints, along with decreasing inflammation that instigates joint pain. 

Settle nerves that may arise before physical challenges

Some people think about using CBD before workout sessions, but many don’t realize that their pre-workout routine begins the night before. Getting enough sleep is crucial for muscle recovery, and CBD can have a calming effect that may improve sleep quality. CBD targets receptors in the endocannabinoid system throughout the nervous system, resulting in a soothing remedy for your mind. This holistic support can help reduce feelings of distress and discomfort contributing to overall relaxation throughout your body.

How CBD Can Help After Workouts

Assist in relieving minor injury pain 

CBD naturally contains pain-relieving effects by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system which regulates pain perception. CBD allows your endocannabinoid system to function better, allowing your body to return to its baseline health while calming injuries, soreness, and inflammation throughout the body. Post-workout CBD use can reduce the sensation of pain, making minor injuries more bearable and allowing you to continue with your workouts. 

Reduce inflammation and soreness to improve recovery

Post-exercise inflammation plays a significant role in muscle soreness. When you work out, microscopic tears across your muscles are created. The body perceives these tears as injuries and mounts an immune system response to accelerate repair, resulting in discomfort while you are healing. By reducing inflammation, CBD can help the body heal itself with less discomfort after workouts. 

Soreness is your body’s natural way of healing. CBD oil can help relieve muscle soreness and exercise-induced muscle damage, which naturally occurs after physical activity. The healing properties of CBD are known to reduce muscle pain, body aches, and inflammation. Don’t let sore muscles hinder your performance in the gym. CBD creams,gels, and muscle balms (particularly those containing pain fighters like menthol, lidocaine, or arnica) work well as CBD pre- and post-workout options. 

CBD Products Which Can Help your Workout

Botanika Life Pain Relief Collection

Combining organically grown ingredients with full-spectrum CBD, the pain relief collection from Botanika Life is like no other. We combine a variety of proven ingredients within our CBD pain relief products to deliver near-immediate results that last for hours. 

Pain Relief Roller: Find pain relief with Botanika Life’s CBD roll-on, including the powerful ingredients lidocaine, menthol, and arnica. Used for almost-instant relief from sore muscles and aching joints, this mess-free pain roller is compact to travel with you for workouts.

Muscle Pain CBD Rub: Immediately alleviate pain with plant-based ingredients that soothe your skin and offer relief for sore muscles, nerve pain, or a tired back. Including the powerful ingredients lidocaine, menthol, and arnica, this pain relief rub relaxes muscles and can prevent injuries. 

Cryo Massage Roller: Support your pre- and post-workout muscle recovery and joint relief with the Cryo Massage Ball to reduce inflammation and lactic acid build-up. This go-to recovery and prevention tool relieves muscle pain and inflammation while offering joint pain relief.

All of these products offer diverse pre- or post-workout use, whether you’re applying CBD to minimize the pain of bad knees, address tennis elbow, or soothe aching necks and shoulders.

FAQ About Using CBD Before or After Working Out

Are there any rules against using CBD before athletic competitions?

Rest assured, CBD is not considered a performance-enhancing drug. Many sports organizations, including the World Anti-Doping Agency, have removed CBD from their list of prohibited substances. 

However, there may be exceptions. Therefore, if you're part of a competitive sports organization, always check with their specific rules whether they allow CBD usage. 

Some CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis that is prohibited in some sports competitions. In such situations it is crucial to use CBD products that are free of THC or contain only trace amounts within the legal limit.

How long before a workout should I take CBD?

If your goal is to experience post-workout recovery, it is best to take CBD immediately before you exercise. This method gives your body time to digest the product and begin moving it through your system when you need it most. And remember, CBD can be absorbed through the skin, so the same guidance applies if you use a topical version. 

Can I use CBD both before and after a workout?  

Yes, you can use CBD both before and after a workout. Taking CBD before a workout can help reduce anxiety and stress, relax your muscles, and improve overall performance. Post-workout benefits include reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and reducing pain, all of which can help with recovery post-workout.

What are the key differences between CBD and Ibuprofen?

When it comes to pain relief, both CBD and Ibuprofen can do the trick but have different outcomes and side effects. 

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug that works by blocking the chemicals in your body that are responsible for causing pain and swelling, while also regulating inflammatory responses. By blocking these chemicals, Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and eases pain. Over-use of Ibuprofen can cause bleeding in the stomach, nausea, bruising, diarrhea, and many other negative side effects. 

CBD rarely has side effects, and if you do experience any, they are generally very mild. You are far less likely to experience adverse reactions while taking other medications because the body has natural receptors and neurotransmitters that naturally interact with CBD. Especially when considering athletic performance, it is important to understand exactly what you are putting into your body. Get informed by reading CBD & Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) - Comparison & FAQ. 

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.