Since 2017, CBD use has been legal for every athlete
As it is known use of CBD 100% legal in the Netherlands and many other countries around us. However, different rules apply to professional athletes than to mere mortals. After all, they are not allowed to use substances that are on the international doping list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). CBD was on this, but this was adjusted in 2017. Since 2017, CBD has no longer been on this list and can therefore also be used by top athletes. CBD is therefore legal to use for both recreational and top athletes.
Why does CBD help athletes?
The use of CBD has many benefits, which (top) athletes can also benefit greatly from. Because athletes demand a lot from their bodies and will benefit additionally from, for example, a better immune system, faster recovery and a better night's sleep. And these are all bodily functions that can be supported with CBD.
CBD works on our endocannabinoid system. This body's own system plays an important role in balancing various bodily functions, such as the immune system, cognition, sleep, mood, pain perception, metabolism and digestion. CBD molecules are very similar to the body's own neurotransmitters and receptors in this system, so the body recognizes them as such. As a result, taking CBD ensures that the endocannabinoid system functions better, and therefore that all the body processes mentioned also function better.
Benefits of CBD in (top) sports
Both top athletes and recreational athletes (soccer players, tennis players, fitness enthusiasts, runners, etc.) benefit from CBD, precisely because it supports all these important body processes. So it makes sense that so many top athletes use CBD! In concrete terms, as a (top) athlete you can expect the following benefits when you use CBD:
- Faster muscle recovery
- More muscle growth and endurance
- Less muscle pain after training
- More appetite, so that taking in sufficient calories becomes easier
- Better digestion, which also promotes muscle recovery and muscle growth
- A better night's sleep, which helps you perform better during the day
Be careful with THC if you are a top athlete!
Do you play sports at a high level and are you therefore bound by the rules of WADA? Please keep in mind that you will not ingest THC, because this is not allowed. In the Netherlands, the use of CBD oil with a THC percentage lower than 0,05% is permitted, but in top athletes the THC content in the blood is taken into account. So choose a CBD oil or CBD product that you are sure does not contain THC at all. These are products based on broad-spectrum CBD or based on CBD isolate.
We recommend that you pay close attention to the quality of the brand when purchasing your CBD products. At Dutch Vitals we only offer #1 quality brands such as Dutch Hemp and Wedihemp. With these brands, you can be sure that THC-free products do not actually contain THC, because this is strictly checked and certified.
Points of attention for CBD and sports
In addition to the possible presence of THC, there are a few more things to take into account as an athlete when using CBD. For example, have you never used CBD and do you have an important competition coming up? Then it is better to wait until after the match before using CBD. Some people report that CBD gives them a dry mouth, while others feel a bit drowsy. Both are obviously not ideal if you want to deliver top performance. CBD can also cause a change in appetite and mild gastrointestinal complaints.
Our advice is therefore to start using CBD at a time when top performance is not expected from you. You can then slowly increase the dose depending on how your body responds. This way you benefit optimally from all the benefits, without your performance suffering in the short term.
