Is CBD Bad for Building Muscle?

Depending on where you get your numbers from, you can expect that anywhere between 50 to 60 million Americans go to the gym. With so many Americans trying to stay fit or get in shape, many have looked for extra resources for better results. These substances can range from the standard protein powder to creatine, but rumors have been spread about the potential of cannabis to improve a workout. Despite some studies addressing the issue, little is known about cannabis and muscle mass development. This blog post will examine the current information available and how cannabis might help you in the gym. 

How Do Muscles Form? 

Before we look at the current evidence on cannabis and bodybuilding, we must first understand how one even builds muscles. Combining proper nutrition, exercise, and good recovery, you can develop strong, healthy muscles that offer numerous health benefits and improve overall physical performance.

The way your body builds muscles is not too complicated. When a muscle is under a certain amount of stress or stimulated, little micro tears take place within that part of the body. This usually occurs after a long workout where that muscle goes under tremendous strain. Muscle growth involves repairing and replacing damaged muscle fibers through a cellular process that fuses muscle fibers—allowing for new muscle protein strands. As the body repairs, it increases in thickness and size, resulting in muscle growth.

You should know that muscle growth doesn't happen during weightlifting but during rest periods. The body adapts to the stress placed on the muscles during weightlifting and repairs the damaged fibers during rest periods, leading to muscle growth over time.

Consistency and patience are key to muscle building. Although results may take a while, individuals can improve their overall health and fitness with a proper nutrition plan, targeted exercise routine, and consistent rest. 

Is Marijuana Good For Bodybuilding?

According to many professional athletes and bodybuilders, marijuana does improve their performance. However, these are just anecdotal claims and have to be examined, controlling for different factors that might be involved. According to the vast body of evidence currently out, marijuana does not directly improve your performance but may help indirectly. This may be because marijuana can aid in recovery and reduce chronic pain, which indirectly leads to better performance in the weight room. 

The Perception of Marijuana and Bodybuilding

Marijuana contains cannabinoids, which interact with the body's endocannabinoid system(THC and CBD). This system plays a role in pain sensation, inflammation, and immune function, among other things.

Some athletes believe marijuana can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, allowing them to recover from workouts and train more frequently and quickly. Recovery from an exercise can take longer for several reasons; some of the most common are appetite, quality of sleep, stress, muscle soreness, poor form, and even stress. You might have noticed that medical marijuana can help control appetite, sleep quality, and stress. Some athletes that believe in the promise of marijuana think that the drug can hurt physical performance and coordination due to the psychoactive effects of THC. The argument even goes as far as to say that marijuana can reduce testosterone levels and negatively impact muscle growth.

CBD Oil for Bodybuilding & Recovery

Recovery and training go hand in hand, and ensuring you get enough of both makes the difference. Many athletes have turned to CBD oil as a natural supplement to improve their recovery. CBD's popularity can also be seen in the bodybuilding community since CBD oil reduces muscle soreness and inflammation. Consistent and intense workouts can cause tissue damage, and those taking breaks between their activity will experience the effects of DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness. DOMS is marked by the pain and soreness you feel after a workout. DOMS is brought about by muscle damage and inflammation. CBD products can reduce inflammation and promote faster recovery, which allows you to go about your typical day without feeling fatigued. Another potential advantage of CBD oil is that it can help you get a good night's sleep. CBD has been shown to improve sleep quality and length of sleep. Sleep plays a crucial role in building muscle as this is when the body repairs the micro tear you make when you work out to make bigger and stronger muscles. Remember that having proper nutrition, exercise, and rest are the most important things to build a strong body. When picking a CBD oil, choose one from reputable manufacturers to ensure purity.

Does CBD increase muscle mass?

Limited scientific evidence supports the claim that CBD can increase muscle mass. CBD has been shown in studies to have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving sleep. However, no evidence has been found that CBD can directly cause muscle growth. CBD can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). High levels of cortisol can inhibit muscle growth which means stress can slow down your progress. A study published in 2021 on Stress and CBD, found that CBD could reduce the stress response in subjects, and it wasn't worse than similar pharmaceutical drugs. A wealth of evidence supports this claim as the same study further explains that clinical studies have demonstrated that CBD safely and effectively constrains the stress response. Two hundred thirty-two participants have participated in seven double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of CBD for stress, as well as one hundred twenty in one partially controlled trial.CBD was found to reduce stress responses in both studies. With this information in mind, CBD can indirectly affect muscle growth positively. 

Is CBD oil safe?

Safety should always be the first thing to be aware of when trying any medication. In the case of CBD, it has been found safe to use for most people, but there are some risks to be aware of. Users should know that taking CBD can come with the side effects like dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and drowsiness. Also, be aware that CBD can interact with other drugs like blood thinners. According to the World Health Organization, CBD has a good safety profile, and many adverse effects are related to patients' existing medications and interactions with other drugs. Before using any CBD product, make sure to talk to your doctor about the medication you are currently taking.

The Bottom Line

Selecting high-quality CBD oil from a trusted manufacturer can help lessen potential risks. Although CBD does not directly improve muscle mass, it can support overall health. As with any supplement or medication, you should talk to a doctor before adding it to your regimen. For more information on medical marijuana in Virginia, book an appointment today or visit our FAQ page.