A Beginner's Guide to CBD for Injury Recovery: Everything to Know
You've probably heard about CBD being used to treat anxiety or cancer-related symptoms, but did you know it can also help with pain?
A 2019 Gallup survey found that 1 in 7 adults are now taking CBD as a natural remedy for various conditions. For them, CBD is a natural way to reduce inflammation in the body without the psychoactive effects of medical marijuana.
Are you interested in learning more about CBD for injury recovery? This compound can help people injured on the job or athletes looking for relief.
Keep reading below to learn about the benefits of CBD, how people are using it for pain, whether it's safe, and how to determine your correct dosage.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
CBD has only been legal nationwide since 2018. Over the last two years, researchers and CBD users have uncovered some promising health benefits.
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 compounds derived from cannabis. The compound is extracted from the cannabis plant and then diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.
CBD is easier to purchase than medical marijuana. It can be ordered online or picked up at a local supplement shop without any special certifications.
Here is a list of ailments that CBD can help treat:
- Chronic Pain
- Anxiety or Depression
- Help Alleviate Cancer-Related Pain
- Reduce Acne or Skin Issues
- Treat Neurological Disorders like Epilepsy or Multiple Sclerosis
It's important to note that more research needs to be done on CBD. The substance is not currently regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), therefore it's treated more like a supplement than a medication.
Much of the evidence researchers are currently working with is anecdotal. But, exciting new research is being done on how CBD can be used to help treat severe cases of childhood epilepsy.
For this article, we'll focus on the first bullet point of CBD treating pain and injuries.
CBD for Injury Recovery and Pain
CBD used for pain management is becoming more widespread.
Many people with chronic pain conditions have found relief swapping their prescription drugs for all-natural CBD. They also feel better about finally ditching the pharmaceuticals.
On the other end of the spectrum, elite athletes have started taking CBD to recover from rigorous workouts or sports-related injuries.
Pain sufferers order CBD with a higher potency to treat their conditions. The compound is also available in several forms: oil, capsules, gummies, edibles, vapes, and topicals.
Oils and capsules reach the bloodstream faster and have a more intense effect in the body, while topicals like lotions, sprays or roll-ons can be applied directly to the source of pain. Topics are popular with athletes.
Athletes experience two kinds of pain: soreness and a sports injury. The stress of a workout causes microscopic damage to your muscles. This damage is a good thing, but it takes a day or two to heal bigger and stronger than before.
The problem with muscle soreness is that it can be irritating and affect your quality of life. If severe enough, it can also keep you from working out.
Serious injuries like sprains, strains, or dislocations can also sideline you for weeks or months.
There are a variety of ways to treat sports injuries—compression, massage, hydrotherapy, or supplements—but many athletes are getting results using CBD balms and creams.
Is CBD Safe and Legal for Athletes?
One of the first questions any new CBD user asks is whether the compound is safe and legal.
No one wants to lose their job by testing positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, or get banned from an athletic competition for taking a banned substance.
Some CBD products have trace amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (less than 0.3% by law). If you're worried about it, purchase a bottle of CBD Isolate that is labeled "THC Free."
Using CBD is perfectly legal. In many states, you can even get a medical marijuana card. Florida is one of the states.
No serious side effects have been reported from patients using CBD. It can cause drowsiness, gastrointestinal issues, and changes in mood.
The FDA is currently investigating whether CBD can be harmful to the liver, the male reproductive system, and when mixed with other medications. But in 2018, the FDA did approve the first-ever CBD drug to treat childhood epilepsy.
Research studies are limited, but those being reported on are promising.
Worried about staying safe? Purchase high-quality CBD. Reputable suppliers will give you access to independent lab tests. That way you can see all of their product ingredients.
Do some research before you buy any product. Look for plants with rich hemp trichomes, the small crystal hairs found on mature cannabis flowers, because they will have a higher potency.
Finding the Right CBD Product and Dosage
Determining proper dosage can be tricky. Measuring CBD in milligrams (mg) is very precise but the big question is how your body will respond to the compound.
If you're worried about precision, capsules or gummies are an easy way to ensure you're getting an exact amount of CBD.
As a CBD user, you need to find your dosage. The best way to do this is by starting small and working your way up until you get the desired effects. Pay very close attention to how it reacts with your body.
Experts recommend purchasing stronger CBD to treat pain. You should also consider your weight and height. Larger users may need to take more to achieve the same results.
One of the smartest things you can do is discuss taking CBD with your doctor. They may have some recommendations and they can take into consideration how it would interact with your current medications.
Looking for CBD in South Florida?
Do you need CBD for injury recovery? Both CBD and medical marijuana are available throughout the state of Florida. More CBD retailers are opening every day.
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