We’ve written about cannabis topicals before, reviewing the move that a growing number of us are making to integrate cannabinoids into our regimens for bodily wellbeing. The idea is to harness the potential power of CBD and THC for muscular pain and recovery. Today, we’d like to go deeper into the subject by talking specifically about how you can support your fitness routine with topicals. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of how these all-natural (yet cutting-edge) creams and balms can make a world of difference for your selfcare.
CBD for Muscle Recovery: Why Do You Get Sore After a Workout?
It doesn’t really matter what kind of exercise it is: Cycling, yoga, aerobics, or tennis. The fact is: you’re probably going to feel a little sore after a healthy dose of activity. The reason is something called delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMs. It’s a completely normal bodily response to the natural breakdown of muscle fibers as they stretch and adapt to a new and stronger configuration. Unless you’re in real discomfort—in which case we advise you to take a break from your workout routine and possibly seek your doctor’s advice, in case you are experiencing an injury—most fitness experts recommend gentle stretching as a response to soreness.
In addition, using a CBD or THC cream for muscular pain both before and after a workout can support your experience of the natural feelings that come along with strengthening muscles. As many of us already know, cannabis and self care have a long and mutually supportive history.
Unlike topical “heat rub” products that produce a numbing heat and cooling sensation, cannabinoids target our bodies on a deeper level. That’s because they’re interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), one of the body’s principal regulatory systems.
Instead of numbing or overwhelming the ECS like some rubs can, cannabinoids elicit gentle but highly effective anti-inflammatory responses.
In effect, cannabinoid-based topicals are “speaking the same language” as the body’s own signaling system. As some researchers theorize, the ECS plays a fundamental role in deepening our understanding of how and why cannabis helps modulate our bodies’ natural responses to soreness and strain.
THC for Muscular Pain: Choosing Wisely
As you probably know, the two major cannabinoids—THC and CBD—elicit very different responses in our bodies. THC, for instance, is most directly responsible for the marijuana plant’s distinctive “high.” Like CBD, it also delivers anti-inflammatory and pain-fighting effects, which are important when you want to maintain your fitness routine.
Some topicals—even those containing THC—are non-psychoactive. But the topicals we sell are carefully engineered to allow their cannabinoids to pass the blood-brain barrier. This means that they’re effective at delivering long-lasting relief from pain and soreness. If you find the psychoactivity of THC distracting, be sure to choose one that contains only CBD or CBN.
Cannabis for Weight Loss: Is it Real?
While we’re on the topic of fitness, we should mention that many of our customers ask whether or not using cannabis helps us stay trim. And believe it or not, there’s some truth to the rumor. As one well-publicized study found, people who use cannabis regularly tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI).
Another cannabinoid called THCV, or Tetrahydrocannabivarin, is currently being researched for its potential anti-obesity and anti-diabetic tendencies.
To be clear: That’s not quite the same as saying “cannabis keeps you thin.” At Cloud Cannabis, we believe the best use of cannabis for weight loss is by harnessing the all-natural power of CBD for muscle recovery. When working out feels great you not only tend to do more of it, but you tend to release endorphins and positive momentum that can help you feel better and improve your state of mind. That’s an all-natural result we feel everyone is entitled to enjoy.
Do you have other questions about how to harness the power of CBD for muscle recovery? Just ask! We’re always here to help. You can also stop by one of our Michigan locations to see what topicals our team recommends today to match your goals.
