Does CBD Help Golfers Play Better
OK, You probably know that consuming cannabis before or after a round of golf can help you relax and enjoy the experience — but is there more to it than that?
As it turns out, everyone from recreational and competitive athletes to casual weekend warriors and weekend warriors alike is turning to cannabidiol (CBD) as a way to help them perform better.
What is CBD, and What Makes It So Novel?
CBD is one of over 60 compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s a phytocannabinoid, meaning it’s derived from a plant. In cannabis, CBD is the second-most abundant compound, only surpassed by THC.
Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get you high. However, many brands are making claims or products with a much more robust and longer-lasting effect than what’s available from their competitors.
What’s more, states like Colorado (where recreational use of marijuana is allowed, but results can vary widely) and Washington (where it’s legal, but it’s still not widely accessible on a mainstream level) are making claims that CBD is effective for various ailments — and even helping decrease the risk of relapse for those trying to quit smoking.
CBD, or Cannabidiol oil or CBD the entire plant, comes in various forms. CBD balms, tinctures, and sprays can all be left around you at multiple events. Some companies provide you with starter materials to make your CBD-infused products.
If you have a little bit of money to invest in a different outcome for your next round of golf, then there could be a scientific basis to support why some people claim it helps.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Hopefully, this short image collage clears up some of the questions about the effectiveness of CBD for anyone involved in or interested in sports performance — and it’s important to note that it’s no magic bullet.
1. CBD does not make you sober.
In fact — and here’s why this matters — you need to stick to your hemp food and beverage and sleep habits to obtain the benefits.
But it does help improve your focus, reduce nausea from workouts, and might even decrease the amount of post-workout muscle soreness you experience.
Additionally, studies show it can speed up your recovery process and reduce inflammation, muscle pain, and inflammation-related complications (like arthritis pain).
2. Is there any science to back up the claims that CBD can improve athletic performance?
It’s hard to find peer-reviewed studies on CBD and exercise in humans. A PubMed search for articles on the subject turned up zero results.
The only mention of anything remotely related was in a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research about THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid best known for the high associated with marijuana), and its effects on exercise.
Those studies excluded participants with diagnosed medical conditions or those already using any illicit substances, which may limit the conclusions drawn.
The observational study also noted some discrepancies in exercise performance, which can increase when someone is worried about a potential performance loss.
When cannabis is used for psychological or sleep purposes, there are some potential benefits. One study showed CBD helped to combat anxiety during exercise.
It could also have a beneficial effect on athletic performance if consuming CBD before an event helps to reduce anxiety, anticipation, and stresses involved in trying to excel.
Perhaps the simplest explanation is that people are improving their anxiety. Studies are turning up significant improvements in anxiety and performance among those using CBD to manage stress.
But that’s only part of the story. The more substantial benefit appears to be in how long-term those benefits last.
IS CBD GOOD FOR PERFORMANCE?
Before we break down the science on CBD and golf, it’s essential to understand the difference between anxiety and performance anxiety.
While anxiety related to athletic performance can cause inertia, decreased cognitive output, reduced metta, activity, among other effects, pressure bonded to more innocent pursuits like, well, just being anxious can cause something called diminished performance.
In other words, there are some situations, like anxiety before a golf round, that can cause you to lose your cool.
“You’re drinking in the moment, you’re focused, you’re trying to execute, and so anxiety can heighten that energy and that effort,” states Monteleone. Let me tell you something anxiety is just a signal that something might be wrong.
What are your feelings or thoughts on the subject of athletes using CBD products?
Would you mind helping me understand why people should or shouldn’t use CBD-infused products? You know how I feel about CBD if you have read any of my previous posts. (I’m an ADVOCATE!) BTW.
Cheers,
Kevin