CBD FOR RECOVERY

Improve sleep, focus, mood, and more with this mighty molecule.

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Runners and other athletes are a key part of the cannabidiol market (better known as CBD) in the U.S.-a market that has quadrupled its sales since 2018. That was when federal law removed hemp, from which CBD is derived, from the list of controlled substances. Sales are expected to hit $16 billion by 2025.

Not surprising. After all, what runner wouldn't want to access claimed CBD benefits such as better sleep, fewer aches and pains, and greater focus? Here's what you need to know about what CBD is, how it might help your running, and how to buy it.

What Is CBD? Cannabis plants contain more than 100 types of cannabinoids, which are substances in the plants that interact with your body's endocannabinoid system. (More on this later.) CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, which causes a marijuana high) are the two best-known cannabinoids. A cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3 percent THC is classified as marijuana; a cannabis plant with no more than 0.3 percent THC is hemp. CBD products are made from hemp. Because hemp plants are so low in THC, CBD products can't get you high.

Why Runners Should Give It a Try

So what can these products do? CBD is said to be an anti-inflammatory, a sleep aid, an anti-anxiety agent, a mental and physical relaxant, an immunity booster, and an overall wellness enhancer. That's a lot of claims for one molecule! Unfortunately, to date, there's little clinical research to support many of those claims. Most research on CBD has to do with specific conditions, such as epilepsy, rather than broader phenomena like whether it helps athletes feel better after a hard workout.