CBD products are now widely available at a variety of retailers and have become prominent in grocery and health food stores. Cyclists have a wide range of options, from CBD-infused ride snacks to recovery drinks and even his CBD chamois.
Derived from the marijuana plant, CBD is thought to relieve pain and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce inflammation. cannabis research journal. Some companies claim significant performance benefits, such as increased Vo2 and lower blood lactate levels.
But before you get serious about the CBD trend, understand what CBD is, its potential effects on cycling performance, and what the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has to say about the issue. is essential.
CDB and THC – What is it? Will it get me high?
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CBD or cannabid oil is one of the many compounds (cannabinoids) found in the hemp or marijuana plant. It is an important ingredient in marijuana’s medical uses and is also an FDA-approved drug. CBD itself does not produce the psychoactive effects or “high” associated with marijuana, which comes from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
THC appears in three common forms: herbs, hash (or hashish), and hash oil. Herbal varieties made from dried cannabis leaves and buds are the most popular and are consumed by smoking or mixed into food and drink.
In contrast, CBD has no psychoactive effects but is said to have a variety of health benefits, including pain and anxiety relief, and is the first FDA-approved derivative derived from marijuana to be used to treat epilepsy. It is also used in the drug Epidiolex.
CBD comes in a variety of formats, including oils, extracts, patches, vapes, and topical lotions.
Is it legal?
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In North America, the United States, Canada, and Mexico have all legalized CBD, albeit with certain regulations.
There are 18 states in the United States where the sale and consumption of CBD and THC for both medical and recreational purposes is completely legal. While several other states have legalized the medical use of marijuana products, states such as Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota are restricting even the medical use of CBD to products with no traceable THC content. Limited.
In Canada, CBD is classified as a prescription drug and falls under the Cannabis Act. CBD products are limited to a maximum of 0.3% THC content, and the hemp used must be of industrial grade. Mexico, on the other hand, allows the sale and consumption of CBD products with less than 1% THC content.
In the UK, CBD is legal if the product contains less than 1 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per container.
Albania and Serbia are the only countries in Europe that stand out as supporting a complete ban on CBD products. Regulations in these countries classify all cannabis derivatives, including CBD, as illegal substances.
In the Oceania region, Australia has also embraced the legalization of CBD, although a prescription is required to obtain CBD. The Drug Administration reclassified CBD to allow pharmacists to sell low-dose CBD products without a prescription.
CBD in competition
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According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), all synthetic and natural cannabinoids except CBD are prohibited in competition. Athletes do not need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to use products containing CBD, but they will need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for other cannabinoids.
Sports creams containing CBD come in “full spectrum” or THC-free versions. The latter, as the same suggests, does not contain any THC. Full-spectrum products contain multiple cannabis plant extracts, including essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids such as THC. However, this is only a trace amount of his THC and does not cause any psychoactive effects. However, research shows that full-spectrum products are more effective than CBD isolate in managing pain and inflammation.
WADA has set the THC limit for urine tests at 150 ng/mL. Most full-spectrum CBD products on the market have THC concentrations of just 0.3% or less in the United States, while in the United Kingdom and many European countries they have THC concentrations of less than 0.2%.
CBD and cycling
Former World Tour rider Floyd Landis sells a variety of CBD and THC products at his Floyd store in Leadville.
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Whether you’re looking to relieve pain from a previous injury, recover better from a hard effort, ease pre-race jitters, or maximize performance on the bike, CBD has a lot to offer endurance athletes. It is claimed that there are benefits of…
CBD company Twisted Spoke claims that in addition to its medicinal properties, CBD also has significant performance benefits.
According to recent research, twisted spokes The effects of 300mg CBD on the performance of nine endurance athletes were monitored. In a double-blind study, athletes performed at 70% VO2 for 1 hour with and without CBD, followed by intense exercise to exhaustion. Athletes who used CBD showed improved VO2, pleasure ratings, decreased blood lactate during 60 minutes of effort, and increased VO2 and respiration (RER) during efforts to exhaustion.
The fast-acting CBD isolate contained in Twisted Spoke’s newly released product CBD HydroMix contains no THC and won’t get consumers high, but is intended to enhance athletes’ favorite performance drinks .
Recent studies of increasing CBD dosages from 100 to 300 mg or more have revealed notable results, particularly in increased endurance, increased pain tolerance, and improved VO2 Max. Including these high doses of CBD has proven beneficial in anticipating challenges during strenuous and prolonged physical activity, alongside practices such as stretching, hydration, nutrition, and sun protection. This makes it a valuable supplement.
Floyd Landis is a former world tour cyclist who founded his own company specializing in CBD and marijuana. Landis offers a variety of his CBD products designed for athletes and people who lead an active lifestyle.
“Before discovering CBD, I was reaching for ibuprofen to reduce pain from strenuous exertion. Many people believe that taking NSAIDs repeatedly puts them at risk for gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding, heart attacks, and kidney disease.” is not aware that it increases. [1]. “CBD is not known to have any negative effects on human health,” Landis said.
Conclusion:
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Whether you want to relieve aches and pains or maximize your performance on the bike, it’s important to maintain open communication with your health care provider when taking THC-containing CBD products (full-spectrum CBD). It’s essential. Participating in the dialogue promotes coordinated care and helps prevent potential interactions between different forms and types of medications. Users should consult their doctor if taking medication. It’s best to remember that THC products are also prohibited in cycling competitions.
