Boxing is a sport that involves a lot of pain, not only from actually fighting and sparring other opponents, but from training. Often, your ability to heal and/or recover from a fight or training session determines your progression: if you can recover quickly, you can train more, become better, and available to fight more often.
On the other hand, fighters who do not prioritize recovery, or who recover slower than other fighters are at a disadvantage. They cannot train as often or as hard, and the opportunity to fight may come up much less.
Luckily, no matter which category you fall into, we have a solution: CBD oil. You’ve likely heard of this “wonder substance” before, and for a good reason, too. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the cannabis plant, but does not contain THC (the compound which produces the high sensation).
The remainder of this article will discuss more on CBD and CBD oil, specifically what it is and how this benefits boxers.
What is CBD?
As previously mentioned, cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance found within the cannabis plant. The properties of this compound are similar to cannabis. However, the most notable difference is that consumption or use does not produce a high (this is because it contains no or very little THC).
CBD is one of 113 compounds found in the cannabis plant and has proven time and time again to be great for athletes and those who suffer a variety of mental health and physical conditions. Furthermore, there are also various types of CBD products and supplements widely available, with the most popular benign gummies, creams, and CBD oil.
Over the last few years, more and more people have begun using and supplementing CBD, including athletes and those with chronic mental and physical health issues. Scientific research is still lacking, but from what evidence is currently available, the results are overwhelmingly positive and pointing in the right direction.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is one of the most popular and widely accessible methods of CBD consumption and use. This oil can either be taken directly (a drop or two) or used in food items, for example, in a bolognese, in something sweet such as your traditional brownie, or any other food or supplements you choose.
One of the main benefits of this method of supplementation is the versatility. Unlike other methods, such as vaping or gummies, you can choose how you wish to consume the CBD, ideal for those not so keen on the taste or format of other options out there.
Moreover, CBD oil is often cheaper to purchase than alternatives, allowing you to save money for training without sacrificing on your recovery.
What are the benefits of CBD oil for boxers?
Okay, now that we’ve discussed what CBD and CBD oil is, let’s explain the plethora of benefits on offer. According to Healthline, the benefits of CBD oil currently include:
- Pain relief
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced pain from inflammation & improved healing
Each of these benefits will now be explained in more detail below.
Pain relief
As a boxer, you’re constantly in some kind of pain. That’s a part of the sport. Whether this is pain from training or actual fighting, reducing this pain is key, allowing you to train harder and live your life without looking and acting like an elderly man or woman.
Supplementing CBD oil will help to reduce this pain and may even speed up your recovery. This is possible as the CBD interacts with the brain receptors, changing your perception of pain and allowing you to go about your everyday life with much less fatigue. This is a game-changer for many athletes across virtually all sports, not only boxing.
Reduced anxiety
Second, CBD oil and other CBD products will help reduce anxiety. If you’re a boxer, you may be anxious in the build-up before a fight or for the fight itself. CBD helps lessen this anxiety, reducing stress, potentially lowering your heart rate, and successfully returning your body to homeostasis.
Furthermore, this reduction in anxiety may also contribute to improved sleep, as discussed below.
Improved sleep quality
If you struggle to fall asleep or grapple with getting a good night’s sleep, then CBD oil will be a game-changer for you. If you can’t sleep due to anxiety surrounding a fight or training, then CBD has the solution. Similarly, if pain is the inhibitor, there’s also a fix for that.
As an athlete, sleep is one of the most powerful tools you have – it allows you to recover, repairing your muscles, and allowing you to improve. Without adequate rest and sleep, you increase your risk of injury and a general and progressive decline in training; this is also known as over training.
Supplementing CBD oil into your nutrition and training for improved sleep quality is a reason in itself and one we would certainly recommend playing around with, especially if you regularly struggle to get a good night’s sleep.
Reduced pain from inflammation & improved healing
Finally, regular supplementation of CBD may contribute to reduced inflammation and general pain, perhaps even contributing to improved healing. If you’re returning from an injury, this can make the whole process a whole lot easier and more manageable.
Likewise, CBD oil will help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after a fight, allowing you
to recover quicker and return to training in much less time. Essentially, this gives you a competitive edge, allowing you to push yourself, improve, and to fight more often. And hey, that’s what boxing is all about.
Are there any side-effects?
Despite there being several key benefits of the use of CBD oil for boxers, there are some potential side-effects some users may experience. As research is currently limited, scientific evidence does not reveal why some people experience side-effects, and others do not.
Nonetheless, possible side-effects may include:
- Depression
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
My general advice would be to try CBD yourself, with your doctor’s approval, and see how your body reacts. For most people, side-effects will be minimal or non-existent. However, some users may react negatively, and, therefore, you should ease into taking CBD and trying it out by feel.
If you experience any side effects and are not comfortable with these, you can simply stop taking CBD. However, if, like thousands of others, you reap the many benefits. Then you can continue to safely take CBD, whether this is CBD oil, gummies, or any other method you choose.
CBD Oil Recommendations
I have tried a whole variety of CBD Oils products over the years which I have reviewed on Boxing Life.
My favourites to date include Kanibi, Blessed CBD and Naturecan. I found they have created the most quality products which includes their CBD oil tinctures, gummies, muscle creams/balms.
I will leave links to all my in-depth CBD Oil reviews at the bottom of this article.
To conclude
CBD and CBD oil are relatively new supplements. However, the overall response is overwhelming, with many athletes, including boxers, alongside everyday people reaping the many benefits on offer.
In particular, however, as covered in this article, boxers should consider supplementing CBD as
this will help reduce pain, improve recovery and sleep, and reduce anxiety during training in the lead-up to a fight and for fight night.
Finally, often, we are asked: Can boxers take CBD oil?
And the answer is yes, CBD is a legal substance in virtually all countries, with many benefits on offer – so give it a shot and experience these benefits firsthand; it will allow you to take your fighting to the next level. You’ll be surprised just how much of a difference it will make to your training and approach to boxing as a whole.
Make sure to check out my other CBD oil reviews and articles below for more on CBD.
- Kanibi CBD Oil Review | Rated Number One
- Naturecan CBD Oil Review | Personal Experience
- Blessed CBD Review: Personal Experience
- Top 5 Best CBD Oil Recommendations For Fighters
- Boxing And CBD Oil Guide | Is It Safe To Use?
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