Can CBD improve performance in rugby players?

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is slowly changing the sports industry. Research has shown that CBD is an effective way to manage pain.

But does this mean CBD can improve performance in rugby players? And if so, how?

Here is everything you need to know, about CBD and rugby.

What does CBD do for athletes?

The short answer is yes it helps muscles recover and the body relax. However, the long answer requires a little more explanation.

While the idea of CBD might still be very entrenched in stoner culture for some, this is no longer the case. CBD is different from THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Additionally, CBD has a multitude of health benefits. It's a natural way to manage pain, and it can have positive effects on anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent topical ingredient. The inclusion of CBD in topicals not only means that it can help with muscle aches and chronic pain.

This also means that CBD can soothe inflamed skin. It is said to have positive effects on skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis.

Is CBD legal for athletes?

CBD has been removed from the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) list of prohibited substances since 2018. This means that athletes can safely consume CBD to manage pain and speed up recovery.

Using CBD for these purposes, or to simply soothe an inflamed patch of skin shouldn't cause you to test positive for THC. However, it is important to purchase your CBD from a reliable retailer, and from a good manufacturer.

This is because there have been reports of CBD products containing THC. However, many manufacturers are becoming increasingly transparent with their ingredients and methods.

Research different brands before purchasing, to ensure that you're not inadvertently consuming THC along with your dose of CBD.

I play rugby; how can CBD improve my performance?

If you play rugby, we don't have to tell you that rugby is a collision sport. You'll also know that the goal of the game is to score as many points as possible.

However, winning can come with a number of serious health risks. According to PhysioWorks, an Australian physiotherapy clinic, about a quarter of rugby players sustain injuries during the season.

These injuries can range from minor sprains to more serious damage, such as broken bones and neck injuries. Recovery can be intense, painful, and time-consuming.

In addition to this, rugby training sessions can often result in sore muscles, bruises, and scrapes. This is where CBD can help.

Earlier, we discussed CBD's anti-inflammatory properties, and why it makes CBD a natural way to manage pain. Adding a CBD supplement to your diet — whether in the form of tinctures, capsules, or topicals — can have a world of benefits.

Pain might impede your training sessions, or affect the way you play. However, a dose of CBD can help in managing the pain, and giving you a better level of physical comfort, both on and off the pitch.

Without pain weighing on you, you'll be able to train harder and play better. You'll always be able to give your team members 100% commitment, without thinking about how much your body will hurt, the next day.

Rugby players, you're in good company

Whether you're a rugby player who's taken the CBD plunge, or even if you're considering it, you're not alone. CBD has surged in popularity. Now, leading athletes — rugby players among them — have turned to CBD entrepreneurship.

Grayson Hart and Adam Ashe, two rugby household names, have joined forces to found PureSport CBD. PureSport CBD was born out of a need to help athletes cope with recovery. This range of CBD products is said to help athletes recover faster and stronger.

Hart and Ashe noted that many rugby players were prescribed opioids to aid in recovery. However, with rising cases of opioid addiction, Hart and Ashe knew this was not the best possible solution.

Therefore, they wanted to work to provide athletes with a natural remedy.

In addition to this, a number of rugby players have become more and more outspoken about their CBD use.

Among them is George Kruis. Kruis originally started using CBD while in recovery. Now, he takes CBD as a daily supplement, to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

What CBD products should I take?

There are a number of ways to incorporate CBD into your lifestyle. While CBD can still be smoked or vaped, that isn't the only way to consume it.

CBD tinctures

Tinctures are a discreet way to consume CBD, as they come in a tiny bottle. They can be consumed sublingually, where CBD drops are placed under the tongue. This process speeds up the absorption of CBD into your system.

Most bottles come with a dropper included, which measures out the perfect dose of CBD. Additionally, tinctures come in a variety of strengths and flavours.

Should you want to try making edibles at home, tinctures can also be added to food and drink.

Canndid Tinctures are the best CBD tincture available in the UK right now for quality and value for money.

CBD edibles

CBD also comes in a vast selection of edibles. From gummies and chocolate to CBD-infused protein powders and energy bars, there is a form of CBD for everyone.

Training sessions can be exhausting. They can also leave you ravenous for a snack. Instead of supplementing your diet with empty calories, consider replacing them with a few CBD-infused treats.

While CBD gummies are one of the most readily-available edibles on the market, you can also opt for CBD fruit chews, salsa, or honey.

Conclusion

With its many health benefits, CBD can be extremely helpful for athletes. Rugby players can only stand to benefit from including it in their diets. Furthermore, there are a variety of ways to do this.

However, while CBD is no longer a prohibited substance, THC still is. This is why rugby players should research CBD products before trying it, as THC can still affect their careers.

In addition to this, all athletes — including rugby players — should consult with a healthcare professional, before using CBD to manage pain.

Besides this, it is important to remember that CBD should never be used to stifle pain, and should only be used to aid in recovery.