CBD for Muscles Building: What You Need to Know

Building muscles is an important aspect of your overall well being. By making healthy lifestyle changes and dedicating yourself to an iron-pumping routine, you can build speed, stamina, and strength to sustain your daily activities. That said, bodybuilding isn’t an easy task to uphold. This is why many fitness enthusiasts take the help of supplements, such as whey proteins and creatine, to ease their workouts. Because of this, a surging interest in natural supplements has emerged in those who are skeptical of the side effects of conventional ones. Leading the line is a cannabis-based compound called CBD, or cannabidiol, one of the hottest names in today’s health and wellness industry. 

Here’s what you need to know about CBD for muscles building:

What Is CBD?

CBD is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. Its famous cousin, THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is psychoactive and alters consciousness. In comparison, CBD is non-intoxicating, and therefore, touted as a viable and safe medication for various conditions, ranging from arthritis and insomnia to cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. 

Though the research on CBD for muscle building is dwindling, existing results paint a hopeful picture. 

Most of the studies are based on animal models. There’s an urgent need to conduct human clinical trials to understand further how CBD interacts and affects the human body’s endocannabinoid system. 

Why Is CBD for Bodybuilding Legal?

It’s important to ask whether CBD is legal for bodybuilding or not. This question concerns weightlifters who have to enter competitions and may run the risk of disqualification because of consuming a banned substance. 

In the US, the FDA has legalized CBD for sale and distribution in all 50 states. But, there are some certain things you should know about this. First: only CBD produced from industrial hemp is legal. CBD extracted from marijuana may contain more than 30% THC, which is above the legal amount of .3%. 

To understand the legality of CBD for bodybuilding, here are the most important pieces of legislation that you should know about:

• 2014 Farm Bill: The Farm Bill allows any state manufacturer of the agricultural department to grow industrial hemp. As mentioned above, industrial hemp is a member of the Cannabis Sativa family of plants, which contains trace amounts of THC. Agricultural research and academic institutions are also allowed to use hemp for research purposes under the bill. 

• Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016: This act extends to the 2014 Farm bill and allows bodybuilders to use CBD as a health supplement. By the stipulations of this law, consumers can purchase CBD, but companies are prohibited from advertising the compound as a medication or drug. 

• New Drug Code 7350: After the Farm Bill and Omnibus Appropriations Act, the FDA published the New Drug Code 7350 to clarify the legal status of cannabidiol. According to this code, hemp-based CBD is legal that complies with the Farm Bill 2014. However, the compound must come from the plant section, which is legal, such as the stalk. 

Why Is CBD Good for Muscle Building?

If you’re into bodybuilding, you probably know anabolic and anti-catabolic supplements. 

Most experts recommend anti-catabolic supplementation for bodybuilding because they reduce catabolic hormone levels, which results in muscle loss. 

In comparison, anabolic supplements increase anabolic hormone levels, which improves the production of body protein that boosts muscle growth. One disadvantage of using anabolic supplements is that they’ll cause rapid muscle breakdown when you’re on a break from exercising. 

While CBD doesn’t substitute for anabolic supplementation, it provides a natural solution for anti-catabolic ones. It provides many of the benefits anti-catabolic supplements are known for, and then some more. 

By influencing the activity of chemicals that bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, which maintains the human body’s homeostasis, it regulates metabolism and appetite. This makes it ideal for calibrating the body for bodybuilding. 

How Does CBD for Muscle Building Help?

Some ways CBD works for bodybuilding include:

• Improves Mood: One of the most evident benefits of using CBD for bodybuilding is mindset and clarity. Cannabidiol improves your focus and energizes you during your training session. You also adapt well to changing routines and willing to give that extra push you were missing before. Additionally, your sleep quality is much better, which is great for muscle recovery and reducing workout-related pain. 
• Lowers stress: Many studies have shown that CBD is excellent for reducing stress. By lowering cortisol levels, the compound increases muscle growth and improves performance in the gym. 
• Gives Quality Rest: One of the most vital aspects of any bodybuilding regime is rest. If your body is not getting the rest it needs, it’s not going to break down. No matter how much you exercise, you’re not going to get the results you need. Some studies have shown that only a 1 to 2 hours reduction in sleep time over a week may cause an 83% increase in body fat. If you’re living with insomnia or have trouble getting some shut-eye at the time you want to, CBD may help. 
• Increases energy levels: You need to stay energized during your gym workouts to pump iron. CBD helps lower your blood sugar levels, which keeps insulin production in your body low. When insulin levels are low, the body converts more glucose into energy instead of fat. This not only helps you to build muscle but also power through workouts. 

How to Use CBD for Bodybuilding

If you’re considering CBD for muscle building, you should know it shares many similarities with traditional supplements. And the best part is that it doesn’t have any adverse side effects. According to the World Health Organization, CBD has an excellent safety profile and exhibits no potential for substance abuse. 

Furthermore, with CBD, you have lots of options at your disposal. The compound is available in pills, tinctures, oils, edibles, and a host of other products. As a general recommendation, keep your daily dose between 10—15 milligrams. But, if you’re not sure, consult your physicians beforehand to make sure a CBD supplement is ideal for your workouts and health.