Why Should You Consider Using CBD Topicals for Post-Workout Sessions?
If you’re someone who works out regularly, then you’re all too familiar with the post-workout recovery blues. It’s that stage that comes a few hours after you’re done exercising, when you can finally feel the impact of your routine, with aching muscles and physical fatigue. More strenuous workouts can even lead to irritation and other mood changes as the body works hard to repair itself.
But, working out to maintain a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you automatically have to suffer later on in the day. There are ways to help the body recover more quickly, by simply supporting its natural self-repair mechanisms. And, one way that many people are potentially finding is cannabidiol (CBD), the leading compound in the hemp plant. And, the majority of workout enthusiasts who use CBD after exercise sometimes prefer a topical-based product over other methods like gummies, tinctures and the like.
What Can CBD Possibly Do for a Post-Workout Routine?
Before we address topicals, let’s share everything we know about cannabidiol in general that relates to the recovery process following a workout session. We know that when we exercise, we exert ourselves physically, and this is why the body needs the space to return to equilibrium. We need time to replenish our energy levels, both physically and mentally, and bring our cardiovascular system back to baseline. Any type of muscle training requires even more careful recovery, because the actual tissue of the muscles is damaged in the process of building a stronger body.
This is why it’s important to rest after working out. But, so many of us have such busy lives that the idea of designating additional time to resting seems out of the question.
That is where CBD comes in…
Since CBD is a cannabinoid, it feeds the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) that has the job of keeping us in homeostasis. Essentially, creating a sense of equilibrium throughout the body’s many systems. Cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body take cannabidiol and use it to regulate individual bodily processes that relate to every aspect of how we feel and operate, including our energy levels and more.
Not only that, but CBD has a role in managing our physical discomfort and the integrity of our deep tissue. It does this by acting as an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory, which, as you can imagine, relates to that soreness that we all feel after exercising.
What is a CBD Topical?
CBD comes in many product forms, and topicals are particularly excellent for aiding the body during the recovery stage. CBD topicals address localized areas of the body, as they are applied directly to “problem areas” so that they may absorb through the skin and reach local joint and muscle tissue in a targeted way. This is basically like applying cannabidiol directly to the areas that have become sore following a workout.
What Makes a CBD Topical Particularly Useful Compared to Other CBD Product Types?
CBD topicals are perfect for a post-workout routine because they can be applied directly to the area that exerted itself and needs the most attention. For instance, if you just did an intensive arm workout, it makes sense to apply a concentrated serving of cannabidiol directly to the arm muscles as they undergo repair.
Now, that doesn’t mean that other CBD products can’t be used as well. CBD topicals never produce internal effects beyond the area where they are applied. Meanwhile, other types of products like CBD oils can be consumed orally to address the other systems of the body that are affected by physical exertion, to promote head-to-toe recovery.
How to Get the Most Out of a CBD Topical Post-Workout Routine
Now that you have a better understanding of what a CBD topical can offer to your post-workout recovery, let’s cover all of the ways in which you can use this delivery method for maximum results. Keep in mind, the product you choose and how you maintain a routine with that said product can greatly influence how effective those results are.
#1: Choose the Right Brand
First and foremost, you want to make sure that the CBD topical you’re buying comes from a premium hemp brand. Not all CBD is created equally, and cheaper CBD is not going to give you strong results. Go with to a trusted online retailer like Empire Hemp Co. that has lots of positive reviews, transparency about their manufacturing methods, and access to third-party lab reports which verify the potency, purity, and overall quality of their topical formulas.
#2: Speaking of Formulas, Find One Containing Clean Ingredients
Make sure that the formula you select contains clean ingredients. Meaning, it’s free of artificial fillers and other chemical additives that can cause skin irritation or introduce toxins into the blood stream.
#3: Look for Other Plant-Based Actives in the Formula
Many CBD topicals combine cannabidiol extract with other plant derivatives known for offering bliss, such as menthol (has a cooling, numbing effect to the muscles), or camphor (can increase circulation and help release muscle tension). These products can increase the likelihood of getting what you possibly need while also supporting the body as it recovers.
#4: Stick to Full Spectrum Hemp
We recommend going with a CBD topical that contains full spectrum hemp extract, as this will deliver the entire chemical composition of the hemp plant to the areas of the body that are in need. Full spectrum hemp increases absorption through plant synergy, while providing every cannabinoid and terpene in hemp that can each positively impact the recovery process.
#5: Make Sure to Use the Right Milligram Strength
CBD topicals come in different milligram strengths, and the higher the strength, the more potent the product is. Ideally, opt for something with 500mg or more per ounce to ensure the best potency level.
#6: Use It Before the Soreness Sets in
We do encourage you to apply a topical right after working out, so that the CBD is active in the muscles and joints before that soreness sets in. If necessary, you can always apply more later to prolong the results of the product.