Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of more than a hundred bioactive compounds from the hemp plant. In recent years, it’s become a wellness staple for millions of Americans. Though there are many ways to take CBD, it’s also effective when you apply it directly to the skin in the form of a cream, lotion or balm. Whether you’re experiencing soreness from rigorous day-to-day exercise or soreness that comes naturally with age, CBD offers plenty of calming and soothing effects. Read on to learn more about the benefits of topical CBD and our favorite ways to use CBD for muscle recovery.
Benefits of Topical CBD for Muscle Recovery
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in helping our bodies maintain balance, or homeostasis. The CBD in a topical works by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors near the skin’s surface, which results in a feeling of relaxation in the areas you target. Level Select combines its proprietary blend of broad spectrum and nano CBD with menthol and a cooling mint scent to offer both roll-ons and creams that provide quick-acting relief with zero mess or greasiness.
The 4 Best Ways to Use CBD for Muscle Recovery
Topical CBD can be an easy and effective addition to other techniques that help soothe sore muscles. Here are our four recommended strategies.
1. Add CBD to a Yoga or Stretching Routine
Incorporating stretching and yoga into your routine can help lengthen and strengthen your muscles, as well as help you find a calm center and peace of mind. In fact, studies indicate that doing yoga regularly can help improve mobility and soothe discomfort. Don’t worry if you’re not flexible — yoga can be as gentle as you’d like, and you can adapt most poses to your abilities.
How to incorporate CBD: Enhance your practice or warm-up by rubbing any areas of your body that are still sore with Sport Cream or Sport Roll when you’re done.
2. Use CBD After a Foam Roller
Foam rolling, or self-myofascial release, helps move the fluids that build up in your muscles after a workout. Foam rolling may improve circulation and alleviate swelling or tenderness in your muscles.
How to incorporate CBD: After a workout — or if you wake up stiff — use your foam roller for 5 to 10 minutes to loosen your muscles. Apply a roll-on or cream for cooling relief to specific spots on your body that are still tight.
3. Moisturize With CBD After a Hot-and-Cold Shower
Both hot and cold showers have benefits that can help relieve soreness, decrease discomfort and improve blood flow. After a grueling workout, try taking a hot shower and finishing it by turning the knob to the coldest water setting for at least 30 seconds to a full minute. You can increase the time you spend in cold water as you get more comfortable with the temperature.
How to incorporate CBD: After your shower, apply our CBD Sport Cream for relief. Our formulation includes naturally moisturizing ingredients to prevent your skin from drying out.
4. Self-Massage With CBD
With your fingers, hands and elbows, you can perform a gentle self-massage on your muscles and trigger points to alleviate any tension. While a professional massage therapist can certainly help target hard-to-reach areas and offer deeper relief, an at-home self-massage is enough for most minor soreness. You can find step-by-step self-massage techniques and instructions here.
How to incorporate CBD: Instead of a massage oil, you can rub our CBD Sport Cream directly onto any sore areas of your body.
Other Tips to Reduce Muscle Soreness
Yoga, foam rollers, hot-and-cold showers and self-massage are easy techniques to help relieve muscle discomfort, but there are other effective strategies to try, including:
- Drink a lot of water.
- Eat protein or a snack within half an hour after a workout.
- Get enough sleep.
- Wear compression garments.
- Incorporating warm-ups and cool-downs to your exercise regimen.
- Taking CBD for full-body relief.
Using Level Select CBD for Muscle Recovery
There are many ways to incorporate Level Select topical CBD products into your fitness routine so you never miss a beat. For more information on our products as well as other tips on using CBD for muscle recovery, check out our blog.
Follow us at @LevelSelectCBD on social media for more information on CBD and our Level Select products.
James Han is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in Los Angeles. When he’s not deep in a Google Doc, you can find him reading, watching films and taking long walks.
Sources:
International Journal of Molecular Sciences - “ Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System”
Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) - “ The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator”
ECHO Connection - How Does the Body Absorb CBD?
Harvard Health Publishing - Yoga for pain relief
Everyday Health - Quick Fixes for Sore Muscles
MedicalNewsToday - What are the benefits of cold and hot showers?
Healthline - How to Ease Pain with Self-Massage
Healthline - 23 Things to Know About Acute and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness