CBD Mend kits
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Feeling Achy? Get on the Mend with CBD
Summary
Like a well-used car, as we age, we can experience general wear and tear of our joints and muscles, making even simple movements painful. If you're a gym-goer, you'll be familiar with the aches and pains that follow a rigorous workout. As you may expect, joint and muscle pain is widespread, so what can you do to ease the discomfort? Here, we dive into how CBD can help mend and repair the body the natural way, so you can get back up and running and doing the things you love!
What causes joint and muscle pain?
Chronic diseases and general wear and tear can affect the joints and muscles, compromising our mobility, especially later in life. However, not all muscle and joint pain is related to ageing and disease. Most people have experienced soreness following a rigorous workout or after pushing the body beyond its normal range. Microscopic tears cause this pain to the muscle fibres, which results in their growth. Less ideally, working out, especially incorrectly, can damage and inflame the joints. A common example is running on concrete which can take its toll on knees.
While movement is vital for joints to keep them healthy, strong and lubricated, it's recommended to balance exertion with rest to give the body time to recover and rebuild. As with most things in life, balance is key. Many people have been turning to CBD to help promote recovery after exercise and reduce pain from injuries and chronic diseases. So, how can CBD help?
CBD and musculoskeletal health
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex cell-signalling system that communicates information around the body. We naturally produce cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, regardless of whether you've consumed cannabis before or not. When we take CBD, it interacts with our body via the ECS.
So what does this have to do with joint and muscle pain? A healthy ECS modulates the pain response from becoming too extreme. We can boost the ECS with CBD, certain foods like hemp seeds and restorative practices like meditation, yoga and massage. CBD is believed to slow the breakdown of endocannabinoids like anandamide to help promote ECS health. Anandamide has been shown to play a key role in areas like pain, memory and in areas that control movement.
What does the research say?
One study found that CBD and terpenes (natural aromatic oils found in hemp) showed promise as a treatment of chronic pain. A 2017 animal study found that CBD is a safe and potentially effective treatment for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. What's more, research has shown that endocannabinoids play a vital role in the process of bone metabolism. CBD may help reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, two age-related bone diseases. While more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be made, existing studies and anecdotal testimonies are highly positive.
Working out with CBD
CBD has become increasingly popular with gym-bunnies and athletes as a way to combat the inflammation and pain associated with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and keep their musculoskeletal health in check. CBD is no longer a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency since CBD is now widely recognised as a safe and non-intoxicating substance. CBD products that contain zero THC can now be used by athletes who are required to undergo drug testing.
How to use choose a CBD product
How you decide to take CBD is a personal experience that depends on many individual factors. In addition, the effectiveness of CBD varies from person to person. Things to consider when choosing a product for joint and muscle health include:
- Administration method/type of product - There are many different methods of administration, including oral, sublingual, topical and inhalable. For muscles and joints, CBD can be taken orally as well as massaged into achy parts of the body
- Cannabinoid concentration indicates the strength of the CBD product. It is often listed as a percentage or by mg. Products generally range from 1% - 20% CBD concentration.
- Cannabinoid profile refers to the different compounds included from the hemp plant like terpenes, cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC), flavonoids, and omega fatty acids. Full-spectrum often consists of a full range of hemp compounds, including THC. Broad-spectrum has a range of compounds, but no THC and CBD isolate is pure CBD only.
- Dosage is how much CBD you take a day. For joint and muscle health, it's recommended to be taken consistently to allow time for it to build up in the body. We also recommend experimenting with dosage and times of the day to find what works best for you.
Always read the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you take any other medications or supplements, speak to a healthcare professional before taking CBD.
Final thoughts
Although much more research is required, CBD shows promise as a natural way to support physical exercise and recovery and joint pain and diseases. CBD is increasingly popular for arthritic conditions and shows encouraging potential for pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. CBD products come in many shapes and sizes, so why not try one of our mend kits to experiment with ways that work best with your body and lifestyle. Whether it's a CBD self-massage for tired and achy joints and muscles or a CBD tincture to help with sleep and keep your bones and muscles healthy, enjoy browsing our CBD Mend Kit collection for your CBD needs.
FAQs
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It's an active and non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant. In the UK, CBD must be extracted from low-THC hemp plants. CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, which influences almost every part of the body, from the digestive system to the reproductive system. CBD is famous for balancing effects on the mind and body and is commonly used for stress, tension and chronic pain.
Can I use CBD for arthritis?
Early animal studies indicate that CBD may be anti-inflammatory and help relieve pain. However, more studies are needed, including human studies. Anecdotally, many CBD users with arthritis have reported noticeable improvements in pain and sleep.
How can CBD support my workout?
CBD is popular with gym-goers and athletes for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Although more studies are needed in this area, CBD may help with muscle relaxation, reduce the risk of injuries, sleep and recovery, and workout performance.
Is CBD safe to use?
Are CBD products legal?
CBD products derived from low-THC hemp are legal in the UK, but THC remains a controlled substance. CBD products must contain less than 1mg of THC to be considered legal. Each CBD product on our website comes with a lab report to verify the THC content. Laws vary from country to country, so always check the regulations related to CBD-based products before you travel.