4 Ways CBD Can Make You a Better Athlete

An athlete's body is under constant wear and tear.

From the strenuous practices to the long game days, athletes rarely take a break and must persevere through any pain. Recently, a growing number of athletes have been turning to CBD (Cannabidiol) to relieve pain and for recovery instead of prescription drugs like ibuprofen, opioids and beyond. In fact, the basketball’s BIG3 became the first professional sports league in the United States to allow its athletes to use CBD in June –– and this shift isn’t surprising.

Painkillers are extremely dangerous and addictive. A study from Linda Cottler, the founding chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions, found that former NFL players use opioids more than four times the rate of the general population. CBD offers athletes a natural and more effective solution for maximizing performance without sacrificing their physical and mental health in the long run.

Still not convinced? Here are four benefits to incorporating this plant-based remedy into your athletic routine:

1. Minimizes inflammation: Athletes must take special precautions to avoid injuries. CBD is the ultimate natural cure for healing inflammation. Taking our Stay Sharp capsules before you begin working out will proactively prevent tears, breaks and swelling.
2. Shortens recovery time: Plants power people. In addition to using CBD to relieve pain, it is proven to prevent seizures, fight cancer and reduce the risk of diabetes. CBD and other anti-inflammatory herbs allow you to connect with your body’s energy to combat pain and speed up the healing process.
   
   
3. Enhances game-day performance: Playing in front of a crowd can be intense. CBD supports the body’s ability to manage and deal with stress so that your nerves never interfere with your performance. Plus, it boosts body and brain function; you will always be in the best state of mind going into a game. Want to explore more ways to stay sharp for game day? Explore mushrooms for brain health and find the perfect regime to support your cognition.
4. Improves sleep: Good, deep sleep is key to restoring your body from the previous day’s activities. If you miss out on zzz’s, you will be less sharp and have a weakened immune system. CBD products like our Calm capsules will promote relaxation and reduce stress so that you will be anxiety free when your head hits the pillow.

Simply put, CBD is transforming how players perform and recover. If you want to push yourself without the use of toxic, chemical prescription drugs, CBD is the answer.

Written by Gabe Kennedy

 Co-Founder of Plant People, Gabe Kennedy is an acclaimed chef and entrepreneur. Growing up in a house of healers and herbalists, he is passionate about the power of food as a tool for health, and actualized this passion and belief system into his company, Plant People. Named to Forbes 30 under 30 Gabe has shaped menus and cooked his way around the world with his mission to promote a more communal, green and healthy world.

 Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at his website.