Compare the Best CBD Oil for Bodybuilding in 2022

How CBD May Help With Bodybuilding

Cannabidiol or CBD works by modulating your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to provide therapeutic benefits⁽¹⁾. The ECS helps regulate the mechanisms of food intake and glucose metabolism in muscle cells⁽²⁾.

Glucose metabolism involves breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids into glucose, which serves as fuel for energy consumption in mammals⁽³⁾.

The ECS comprises cannabinoid receptors, including the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors help regulate various body functions, such as eating, pain control, and immune and inflammatory response management⁽⁴⁾.

Further research and human clinical trials are needed to determine how CBD may help with muscle growth, post-workout recovery, and weight management associated with bodybuilding.

Uses and Benefits of CBD Oil for Bodybuilding

A sore or aching pain is usually caused by mild inflammation or microtears in muscles or tendons⁽⁵⁾.

Meanwhile, CBD, a cannabis-based compound, is purported to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties⁽⁶⁾. 

CBD may also be used as a general appetite suppressant⁽⁷⁾. Appetite suppression may help bodybuilders plan their weight management program.

One study showed that CBD may promote brown fat production and lipid metabolism⁽⁸⁾.

Brown fat is a body fat type that burns calories to produce heat⁽⁹⁾. Lipid metabolism is the degradation of lipids, such as fatty acids, to produce the energy needed by the body⁽¹⁰⁾.

On the other hand, topical CBD may help reduce inflammation, itching, and muscle tightness when applied to the skin⁽¹¹⁾.

At present, there is no conclusive evidence that CBD may directly help with bodybuilding, muscle growth, or muscle recovery.

Further studies are needed to determine whether these CBD benefits may help relieve muscle soreness caused by microscopic damage to the muscle fibers due to workouts.

Additionally, future research in sports science and medicine must focus on understanding CBD’s role in physiological mechanisms⁽¹²⁾. 

These mechanisms include muscle enhancement, neuroprotection, inflammatory cascade, analgesic and anxiolytic pathways, and neuromechanical function.

How to Use CBD for Bodybuilding

There are several CBD delivery methods depending on your needs and preferences. Before purchasing a CBD product, note the following routes through which you may take CBD:

• Topical application: CBD oil is applied topically or directly to the skin. Topical CBD products are typically used to help provide localized relief and decrease inflammation, itching, and muscle tightness⁽¹³⁾.

Examples of topical CBD products are CBD creams, balms, lotions, ointments, and salves.

• Ingestion: CBD oil is delivered orally, allowing CBD to pass through the stomach and be processed in the liver before entering the bloodstream.

Examples of oral CBD products are capsules and edibles, including CBD gummies, chocolate bars, and cookies. You may also administer tinctures orally.

• Sublingual administration: CBD oil is administered sublingually or under the tongue. This route allows CBD to bypass the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream directly.

Some of the CBD products applied sublingually include CBD tinctures and oromucosal sprays.

• Inhalation: Vapes deliver CBD oil into the body through inhalation. This method has a quick onset time, which may help provide fast pain relief⁽¹⁴⁾.

However, there are no studies indicating the effects of vaping on muscle size and function⁽¹⁵⁾.

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disapproves of vaping as a method to cease smoking⁽¹⁶⁾. Vaping has potential health risks associated with lung disease⁽¹⁷⁾.

Individuals and fitness enthusiasts interested in bodybuilding or weight loss must consult a doctor or professional trainer for proper bodybuilding or weight management program before taking CBD.

How to Read CBD Dosages and Concentrations 

To avoid confusion when reading product labels, you need a measurement or conversion guide to help you administer the correct CBD dose.

CBD oil tinctures are typically sold by the ounce. One ounce is about 30 milligrams (mg) of CBD.

The volume in each dropper is approximately 1 milliliter (ml), which is about 20 drops. One ounce is equivalent to about 30 droppers. However, note that dropper volumes vary.

For a product containing 500mg of CBD, the amount of CBD in one dropper can be calculated as:

500mg ÷ 30ml = 16.67mg/ml

What Dosage of CBD Oil Should Bodybuilders Take?

The FDA currently does not recommend any standard CBD dosage guide for bodybuilding.

However, generally, individuals taking CBD for the first time may start with a low dose⁽¹⁸⁾. One suggestion is to start with 10mg of CBD per day⁽¹⁹⁾.

Factors that may affect CBD dosage include genetics, diet, exercise, stress levels, and pre-existing medical conditions⁽²⁰⁾.

Initiate a conversation with your doctor about CBD before deciding what dosage you need to help with bodybuilding or any issues like weight management.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Bodybuilding?

Presently, no conclusive clinical studies focusing on CBD onset times specific for bodybuilding have been conducted.

In general, the estimated onset times for the different CBD delivery methods include the following⁽²¹⁾:

• Topical application: 15 to 30 minutes
• Ingestion: 30 to 90 minutes
• Sublingual administration: 15 to 30 minutes
• Inhalation: 2 to 15 minutes

How Long Will CBD Help With Bodybuilding?

There are currently not enough human studies to conclusively determine how long CBD’s effects on bodybuilding will last.

However, topical CBD products’ effects may last for two to four hours⁽²²⁾. 

Meanwhile, transdermal CBD may be effective in inflammation and pain reduction⁽²³⁾.

Mild inflammation and pain are indications of physical stress caused by weight-bearing and cardiovascular activities performed by bodybuilders⁽²⁴⁾.

Meanwhile, a study showed that 10mg and 20mg doses of orally administered CBD have a half-life of 1.09 and 1.97 hours, respectively⁽²⁵⁾. 

In the same study, capsules with 10 mg of CBD have a half-life of around 2.95 and 3.21 hours.

Half-life is the time required for a drug’s quantity or concentration within the body to be reduced to 50%.

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Bodybuilding

Individuals taking CBD may experience appetite loss, diarrhea, dry mouth, drowsiness, and fatigue⁽²⁶⁾.

Researchers in one study mentioned that side effects of CBD reported by individuals include tiredness and body weight changes⁽²⁷⁾.

Another study stated that other reported side effects include sedation and vivid dreams⁽²⁸⁾.

These effects may negatively affect one’s bodybuilding exercise program and meal plan.

Is CBD Safe for Bodybuilding?

A World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that CBD has relatively low toxicity levels, although not all adverse effects have been studied⁽²⁹⁾.

Human experimental research also noted that CBD does not produce a potential for abuse⁽³⁰⁾.

In one study, a 600mg dose of orally administered CBD did not differ from placebo in terms of symptomatic or physiological variables⁽³¹⁾. The same study also mentioned CBD may be safe and well tolerated among healthy individuals.

Choosing the Best CBD Salves for Bodybuilding

CBD’s benefits have been suggested in its purported effectiveness in managing inflammation, muscle tightness, and itching when administered topically⁽³²⁾. 

Bodybuilders may find topical CBD products, such as balms, salves, ointments, creams, and massage oils, useful in their exercise routines. 

Fitness enthusiasts may also consider the extraction methods, product categorization, and laboratory testing when choosing the best CBD oils for bodybuilding.

Extraction Methods

Manufacturers utilize various methods to extract CBD from the cannabis plant. These methods include ethanol, carbon dioxide (CO2), or hydrocarbon extraction.

• Ethanol extraction: This method utilizes ethanol as a solvent for extracting CBD. Ethanol extraction is a centuries-old process used by various cultures to extract cannabis plant compounds⁽³³⁾.
• Carbon dioxide extraction: This method uses highly pressurized carbon dioxide to extract CBD and other compounds from hemp plants.

CO2 is a non-combustible gas considered by the FDA as generally safe for use in food⁽³⁴⁾.

• Hydrocarbon extraction: Some manufacturers use hydrocarbon solvents such as butane or propane for extraction because these solvents are relatively inexpensive compared to other methods⁽³⁵⁾.

However, hydrocarbons are neurotoxic and flammable solvents and may cause a health risk if not completely purged from the CBD extract.

Manufacturers must strictly follow the proper safety procedures involved in hydrocarbon extraction for a safe extraction method.

Product Categorization

CBD oil, sometimes called hemp oil, is usually categorized into broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD, or isolate products.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains most cannabinoids and compounds from the cannabis plant. However, broad-spectrum CBD products do not include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid purported to help reduce depression and stress, stimulate appetite, minimize inflammation, and relieve pain⁽³⁶⁾.

Full-spectrum CBD oil comprises all the essential cannabis plant compounds, including THC, flavonoids, and terpenes.

Flavonoids are plant-based chemicals (phytochemicals) that give plants their distinctive colors. Terpenes are compounds that give plants a certain aroma.

Full-spectrum CBD oil containing these compounds may provide an “entourage effect.” This effect occurs when the active cannabis components work synergistically to provide a better therapeutic outcome than if those compounds work on their own⁽³⁷⁾.

CBD isolates comprise pure CBD only. Isolates do not contain THC or any other cannabinoids or compounds.

If you prefer CBD products without THC or its psychoactive effects, consider purchasing CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD oil.

Laboratory Testing

Reputable manufacturers send their CBD oil products to third-party laboratories for analysis to determine these products’ actual CBD content. The labs send a report of their findings back to the manufacturers in the form of certificates of analysis (COAs).

Third-party labs analyze the products for contaminants and include the results in the COA. These contaminants include solvents, pesticides, or heavy metals that pose health risks to consumers.

When purchasing high-quality CBD products, compare the product label details to the COA results to ensure consistent quality. Transparent brands regularly get their products analyzed and post updated COAs on their websites.

Legality of CBD

CBD oil products containing more than 0.3% THC concentration are considered illegal under United States federal law⁽³⁸⁾. Restriction levels for CBD oil⁽³⁹⁾ and medical marijuana (medical cannabis)⁽⁴⁰⁾ vary across all U.S. states.

The 2018 enactment of the Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp cultivation and removed hemp and cannabis derivatives with less than 0.3% THC from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act⁽⁴¹⁾.

The only FDA-approved CBD product to date is Epidiolex, a prescription medication for treating seizures associated with epilepsy⁽⁴²⁾.

The FDA warns companies that marketing CBD products as food additives and labeling these products as dietary supplements are against the law⁽⁴³⁾.

As of February 2022, some U.S. states, including Colorado, Arizona, California, Michigan, and Florida, have legalized medical cannabis programs⁽⁴⁴⁾.

Check your state’s laws and review the THC content in your CBD product to determine whether CBD is legal in your area.