CBD Oil is quickly becoming a very popular product among boxers and mixed martial artists, but there are still many out there that are worried about taking it due to associations with cannabis.
However, with WADA (world anti doping agency) recently lifting the ban on CBD oil for those in sport, it is quickly becoming a go to product to help with performance and recovery for many athletes.
In this article I will be looking at how CBD/Hemp Oil are now a safe practices for boxers, mixed martial artists or anyone athlete in that matter! Along with the many health benefits, what top boxers are using CBD and my own personal recommendations for you.
What is CBD Oil / Hemp Oil?
First off it’s important to breakdown exactly what these are:
CBD is short for cannabidiol. Unlike with marijuana, it does not have any psychoactive properties. Basically it won’t get you high! In the U.S. CBD product cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC currently. While in the UK it is 0.01%. (This may vary depending on the laws in your country)
It works with your body’s own endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for controlling hormones. It’s also associated with immune system. By adding the right dose of cannabinoids to your blood stream is believed to bring your hormones into homeostasis, helping balance a number of mental and physical health problems you may experience.
CBD Oil is made from the leaves and stalks of the hemp plant which is a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant species which has specifically grown for the industrial uses of its derived products. This is the only part of the plant which contains cannabidiol.
Hemp Oil on the other hand, is made from hemp seeds, meaning there is little to no CBD content. Each type of oil offers its own health benefits.
In this article I will be focusing more on CBD oil.
How CBD Oil benefits fighters?
They’re in fact many benefits to CBD oil which is why this has become a very popular product among fighters. CBD oil is also generally great for anyone looking for healthier lifestyle and greater recovery. These include:
Pain and Inflammation Relief
One of the main benefits fighters will benefit from CBD is that fact it can help with pain and inflammation. If you are boxer you will know pain comes with the game, as your body can literally get beaten up and down while training. Even if you have an inflammation injury, CBD can help reduce swelling of this which in turn will help with your injury recovery and overall performance.
Nutritional Value
There are in fact some nutritional value to hemp oil seeds which are rich essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). They are also an excellent source of protein and offer vitamin E and other health-enhancing minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc.
Can Improve Sleep
Sleep is key to any athlete and CBD oil will can definitely help you here, especially if you are struggling to find a good sleeping pattern. By being able to have a good nights sleep, this will not only make perform better. It will also give you much more energy in your training and also aid your recovery.
Can Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Boxing is mentally one of the toughest sports to participate in, and that can definitely heighten your anxiety. Especially if you are on the lead up to fight. Some of the top professionals also may have many media commitments and other social obligations. This is where cbd can help to ease the anxiety without them getting too worked up.
Other benefits
There are lot of other known benefits to CBD which include clearing up skin conditions, reducing blood pressure and diabetes prevention.
How can CBD oil be taken?
CBD can be taken in a variety of forms, which makes it simple and easy to use including some below examples
- CBD Oil – This comes in the form of dropper bottle were this can be applied directly on your tongue. Sometime I like to drop some in my coffee in the morning or with water.
- Gummies – these are probably my favorite way to take CBD oils as they come in form of flavored gummies which taste really good and are easy to take.
- Capsules – just like any normal capsules you would take for other nutrition pills
- Juice – this type of CBD comes in the form of flavoured juice.
- Moisturizing Creams – Many sportspeople like to use this form of CBD due to its action against inflammation in muscles. It also helps speed recovery times which is why this is popular option.
How much CBD oil should you have?
When you first start using CBD oil its recommend taking it slow. Always follow the guidelines on packaging from the CBD product you are using.
Some products, such as CBD gummies, capsule, or pills, tell you how much is in a single serving.
If you’re using CBD oil, it will most likely come in a dropper bottle. The packaging might specify how much CBD is in a single drop. From there, you can figure out how many drops you need to use.
I recommend you check out Heath line article on detail for further dosage info.
Boxers who use CBD Oil
Terrence Crawford
Three-division World boxing champion Terrance Crawford recently signed up as an ambassador for CBD oil supplier NuLeaf and has stated to use this to help him during his training camps to help aid his recovery and sleep.
Josh Taylor
Super-lightweight undisputed world champion stated his use of CBD oil before his first world title fight saying:
“I’m relaxed, focused and super confident. I can’t wait. I’m taking this CBD oil, so maybe that’s why I am so relaxed. Maybe that’s why I’m so chilled out.”
Undisputed Super lightweight champion, Josh Taylor
Teofimo Lopez
Former unified lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez has been open about his use of CBD oil to enhance his performance during his training and recovery times. Lopez has said he uses CBD cream on skin for any inflammation issue while using CBD oils for his own mental wellbeing.
Anthony Fowler
British super-welterweight Anthony Fowler, is one of the biggest advocates for CBD oil. On his social media he is constantly praising and giving out prizes due his strong belief in their health benefits, especially towards mental health!
My CBD Experience and Recommendations
To find out more, I highly recommend you watch my YouTube video where I go over my personal experience using CBD. You can also see some of my recommendations below too:
There are are two companies which I personally use and think you will definitely benefit from if plan on trying out CBD oil.
I also recommend you check out my top 5 CBD oil brand choices article here for more options.
Kanibi
Forbes named Kanibi as the number #1 CBD oil company to try in 2020 and I’m not going to lie when I say they make quality products!
In their own word here is what they have to say about themselves:
CBD manufacturing redefined using the power of science and perfectionism. Every Kanibi product is crafted with care and precision to ensure each and every serving lives up to our promise. A commitment that spans from the growth of the hemp to the method of extraction and purification.
When you choose Kanbi, you are choosing prized harvests, expert extraction, and GMP compliant manufacturing using zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Kanibi is made to stand alone and meet the highest standards.
Their CBD Oil has to be some best on market and I love how they add different flavors to them depending on how you wish to take it. e.g. with your tea or coffee.
Some of my favorite Kanibi products included their Enhanced Sports Cream to be applied on or their famous and tasty Organi Gummies.
If you are first timer it might be worth getting a combo pack to try each CBD method to find out what is best for you.
Why read my full review on Kanibi here to find out more.
=> Learn more on Kanibi’s website here <=
1CBD
My next best option I recommend you check out are 1CBD who also have brilliant range of CBD oil product to try out. 1CBD retail the highest quality UK legal Hemp, CBD Oil products available in the UK Market and also ship internationally.
Their range includes: Oils, Balms, Capsules, Gums, Low Sugar Drinks and Delicious Chocolates – check them out here
1CBD take pride in delivering the highest quality pure Hemp Full Spectrum PCR CBD Oil. They only use hand-picked extracts derived from the world’s finest hemp fields, grown outside in the Colorado sunshine, with no exposure to harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Their unique extraction process allows all the beneficial cannabinoid, terpenes, terpenoids and amino acids to remain intact. 1CBD Oils are prepared in small batches ensuring quality, consistency, taste, colour and potency. All our products are freshly prepared, rich in flavour and contain natural preservatives.
All the raw materials and extracts we use are vigorously tested and HPLC analysed by independent laboratories across the USA for quality and purity assurance.
=> Learn more on 1CBD’s website here <=
Talk to your doctor
Before trying CBD, you should also make sure to talk to your doctor, especially if you’re currently on any medication. CBD may interact with prescription medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants and more.
Final Thoughts
If you are boxer looking to help you with any of the benefits I mention above, CBD oil will definitely help you in your overall performance, recovery and mental wellbeing.
Once you start using CBD oil once you will soon realize just how much it can make a difference to you not just in boxing but also in your life.
If you are professional or high level competing amateur. I do recommend you use CBD products with little to no THC, as sometime traces of this can come in tests. Look for product info which says ‘isolate’ or ‘no THC’.
Let me know in the comments below if you are thinking of taking up CBD oil or let me know if you have benefited from it.
Thanks for reading!
Make sure to check out my other diet and nutrition articles here orr why not look at my other health and fitness programs reviews here.
References
- Pro Boxers use CBD to boost performance and recovery | WBN – World Boxing News
- https://papaandbarkley.com/hemp-oil-vs-cbd-oil/
- Why Boxers Are in Love with CBD Gummies | WBN – World Boxing News
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#section7
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-take-cbd#takeaway
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/boxing/josh-taylor-how-cannabis-oil-16069897
Given that CBD oil has anti inflammatory properties, it is unsurprising that it is proving to be popular with athletes. I think once people get over the association with cannabis and getting high, then they will become more confident using this product. With legislation beginning to change in a lot of regions, and with informative articles like this, people are starting to get a more informed view.
It’s also good to know that the oil can be applied as a cream because I think people are more likely to use it this way to begin with. I also think it is important that you mention about the possible interaction with medication. I agree it is always worth checking with your G.P before you try this product.
Thanks for sharing this informative article.
Thanks for this great comment Ray, glad you found this article useful!
J
I think it is actually safe to use so far it is not the full spectrum that may include the presence of some particles of THC which can be quite easy to point out and figure out when a drug test is conducted on you. I actually use cbd oil whenever I want to get involved in athletics because I am an athlete and it is permissible.
Hi Phillip, as long as the THC is 0.3 percent in CBD oil that you use – athletes and boxers won’t have any problem using this!
J
I didn’t know the ban had been lifted on the use of these products in competitions. I wonder if this applies to all sports or just certain ones?
I have tasted the oil before and it is not pleasant, so I am glad to know that there are gummies available or you can drink it too in juice form. This will make it far easier for me to remember to take it. I am definitely going to give it a try now that I have read your article, and I know there are different forms that CBD oil comes in.
Thanks for the comment Michel, as of 2017 World Anti Doping Agency allows for the use of CBD oil products within the sports and competitions that it regulates which is vast majority. I imagine there is probably some sports that don’t, but the fact World anti doping agency is allowing it means a large number of sports allow it. Yeah it’s good that they have created flavours with it, I actually don’t mind the natural oil taste! Glad you found this article useful!
J
CBD oil is for sure beneficial to a wide variety of people and you lay out the specific benefits well here. There is still a stigma on this topic. Are you aware of any negative publicity that these boxers are receiving for promoting the product to other athletes? I see no harm in the use of a beneficial product, but does the harm to a novice boxer’s brand become compromised. As an unknown-up and coming athlete, there is probably a risk to personal character, right?
Hi Rachael, thanks for your comment! In my opinion I think boxers endorsing CBD oil is actually helping people to educate themselves about its benefits! I think it can only be good thing in getting rid of the stigma.
Thanks
J