CBD: The Natural Supplement

CBD is rapidly becoming part of many health and wellness routines, but what is it and how does it help?

CBD — or cannabidiol — comes from the resinous flower of the agricultural hemp plant through an extraction process. One way that CBD interacts with our bodies is through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is a physiological network found throughout the human body that helps maintain homeostasis or wellbeing. The ECS system is involved with memory, sleep, mood, stress, appetite, aches and pains as well as metabolism. Since ECS affects our nervous system, immune system, organs, and other parts of the body – any type of disruptions along the way have been accompanied with natural components such as CBD for restoration and recovery.

Endogenous cannabinoids are only created when we need them, for example to combat an illness or pain. They have short-term effects and a short half-life before they are broken down by enzymes through chemical reactions in our bodies. Therefore, it’s beneficial to supplement our natural production of cannabinoids to help maintain health and wellness, primarily through managing homeostasis – which balances our cognitive and physiological functions that occur internally and externally.

Research has shown that CBD has a variety of health benefits which include a reduction of anxiety and depression, joint pain, chronic pain, as well as help with sleeplessness and headaches. Topical forms may reduce skin inflammation, dry skin and muscle aches. It is important to know where your CBD comes from. Just like some “supplements” that are fueled with unwanted ingredients, some products may have little to no CBD at all. Gyms and studios should only offer high-quality CBD products that have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) — a document prepared by an accredited independent third-party testing laboratory certifying the potency, purity and quality of the CBD. COA’s indicates the quantity of CBD in the product as well as levels of heavy metals, pesticides, solvents and THC.

More recently, fitness enthusiasts have been searching for more viable natural supplements to accompany their existing daily supplement regimens. If gym goers are using supplements for meal replacements, added proteins, etc., then why would they leave out natural supplements to target the mind and body? Exhaustion and pain come with the territory in anyone’s fitness journey. CBD not only helps with targeted pain relief, skin hydration and overall immunity, but it also can promote exercise performance by increasing focus and energy and speeding up muscle recovery.

If you are taking CBD in the morning, post workouts,or before bed, ask yourself , “Do I know where this comes from?” You should. Most gyms are adding CBD products to accompany the supplements for their members. It is also a great way to add incremental revenue at the same time.