CBD Muscle Balm: What Athletes Need To Know

Soreness is to be expected following any strenuous exercise schedule, whether you are an athlete or not. In addition to the soreness, extreme discomfort that makes it difficult to stand or even sit comfortably is often experienced. And after all, no one wants to suffer through that!

Despite the repeated warnings about the negative effects of misuse, you have most likely taken one too many ibuprofen pills to help with pain relief – we get it, you’re in pain, but maybe there are other options to consider. 

This is where CBD balm comes to the rescue. If you're wondering if using CBD balm will help relieve your muscular discomfort but are also skeptical about its safety then this article will serve as your guide to the benefits of CBD muscle balm without compromising your health.

We will explore what CBD muscle balm is, how it can help you as an athlete, and discuss its legality for athletic use as well as its safety.

Cannabidiol (CBD) muscle balm is a topical version of CBD. In order to help reduce any type of muscular discomfort, it is applied directly to the skin in regions where there is soreness, inflammation, and pain.

This muscle balm is usually thick, solid, and waxlike and has a high concentration of CBD. It also contains a few essential oils and chemicals that lend their individual benefits to the balm.

For instance, the addition of menthol, camphor, and capsaicin can induce a cool effect when applied to the skin accompanied by additional pain relief. 

Different brands of CBD balm have different concentrations of CBD and the higher the concentration, the more effective the product. The concentration of CBD in the balm can be confirmed by checking the certificate of Analysis gotten from third-party lab testing.

The World Anti-Doping Agency recently lifted the prohibition on the use of CBD in sports during competition.7 This is because studies have indicated that CBD is safe and well-tolerated by people. Furthermore, a lot of research has gone into exploring the benefits of CBD balm for sports. Some of these are:

During exercise, the muscles get inflamed and while this inflammation is a normal response, if the muscles experience too much of it, athletes could experience prolonged recovery from exercise.   Undertaking new and intense exercises as well as increasing exercise intensity are popular causes of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. After these strenuous workouts, the muscle fibers of athletes become torn, and the athlete experiences significant amounts of pain.  
CBD balms, when applied before and after workouts, can help relieve pain and help athletes recover from exercise-induced muscle damage.5

NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications that athletes typically take for pain treatment following really rigorous training. NSAIDs do, however, have harmful side effects. For instance, NSAIDs tend to increase the risk of heart disease as well as potentially cause renal damage.6   CBD muscle balm is a great alternative to avoid the risks that come with using NSAIDs while still enjoying the benefits of pain relief.

Athletes tend to experience different forms of muscle injury such as sprains, runners' knee, strains, and many others. CBD balm can help speed up the recovery process of athletes by reducing inflammation and reducing muscle spasms.2

 Additionally, CBD also boosts relaxation and alleviates anxiety which will improve the quality of sleep for athletes hence, further speeding up the recovery process.

Although CBD balm can be beneficial to athletes to relieve different forms of muscular discomfort, it is not limited to these. The use of CBD balm for multiple purposes has been explored. 

Dermatologists have carried out research that has shown that CBD balm has the potential to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis.9 CBD balm works by reducing inflammation that is caused by these diseases.  

Before using CBD balm for treating skin disease, it is important to carry out a patch test. This involves testing the balm in a small area of the skin for about 24 hours to determine if there are any side effects experienced. If there are, it is recommended to stop the use of CBD balm. The most common side effect is contact dermatitis but is usually attributed to other chemicals contained in the balm besides CBD.

Oxidative stress is a condition experienced by the body when there is an abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells and tissues of the body. When this occurs, the body finds it difficult to eliminate these ROS resulting in tissue damage hence the term oxidative stress.

CBD has antioxidative properties that is, it transforms ROS into less active forms hence, reducing oxidative stress.1

 The difference between CBD balm and CBD cream lies in the base ingredients. CBD balm uses fatty oil and waxes as the primary ingredient. Whereas, CBD cream uses water. 

Our skin produces sebum which is oily and wax-like in nature and as a result, CBD balm can be absorbed much easier than CBD cream.

 CBD muscle balm is good for treating muscular discomforts such as muscle pains, cramps, and aches. Additionally, a lot of research has been published that proves the efficacy of CBD balm in treating arthritis pain.4,8

Research has also proven the benefits of CBD balm in treating skin diseases and improving dry skin.

 As mentioned earlier, CBD muscle balm is a topical product that is, it works by applying the balm on the skin in the area of pain or soreness. 

For instance, if you have pain in your leg's joints, you should apply CBD balm to the affected area. You would not feel any alleviation if applied to your elbow. Additionally, if the pain is experienced in various body regions, you should apply the balm to each area that is hurting.

So, how does this balm work? 

Well, the skin has numerous receptors which activate the endocannabinoid system when CBD balm is absorbed into the skin. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for the regulation of multiple body processes including inflammatory processes and pain. This activation of this endocannabinoid system is what gives relief from pain and inflammation experience. 

Athletes face a lot of pain and muscular discomfort as a result of the demanding and severe physical activity they subject their bodies to which is much more than the ordinary person. Consequently, athletes have a lot to benefit from the properties of CBD balm.

During intense workouts and exercise regimes, the muscle fibers of the body experience microscopic tears. These tears are responsible for the soreness and pain experienced. Topical CBD has been reported by users to be effective in relieving this muscular pain after application to the affected area of the body.

CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties as it is affiliated with the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for regulating inflammation. CBD balm reduces inflammation in the muscles hence, increasing the rate of recovery and reducing pain and soreness.

Research has reported that CBD has an important role to play in the treatment of nerve damage pain.8,10 It was recorded that topical application of CBD to peripheral nerves (that is, the hands, feet, and arms) improves pain relief and other discomfort associated with nerve damage.

There is still a lot of research to be done to determine the level of safety associated with using CBD muscle balm. However, the reports received from CBD balm users have not indicated negative consequences. 

Using CBD balm is not a difficult process. however, the only area that may pose difficulty is determining how much of the balm is necessary to cause desired effects. 

CBD balm with lower concentrations will have a lower pain-relieving effect because the concentration of CBD needed to bring about an effect is particular to the user. You can start with a balm with lower concentrations and increase concentrations with future usage to gauge how much is needed to bring relief to you.

To use CBD balm, the first step is to read the instructions listed on the product label. Then proceed to apply the balm to the area of the body experiencing body pain. The skin should be clean and dry before application and if the balm is used for pain relief, ensure you massage the balm properly into the area experiencing pain to improve absorptivity of the balm into the muscle for effective pain relief. 

 It is important to note, however, that the balm should not be applied on open fresh wounds and broken skin. 

There's no hard and fast rule as to how many times you can use CBD muscle balm. It can be applied up to 5 times daily and even more if needed.

It does not take a long time to start feeling the effects of CBD balm after application. It usually takes about 15 minutes to thirty minutes to start feeling relief. Sometimes, even longer. It is important however to consider the fact that every body’s chemical composition is different and each person may feel the effects of the balm at different times and with different dosages.

While there are many different options available on the market, perhaps consider two popular options from us. At BATCH, we understand that aches and pains are part of life, but you’re suffering doesn’t have to be. Which is why we formulated two CBD balms to consider:

CBD Balm Original - With 1,250 mg of CBD this upgraded formulation is intended to get you back on your feet! Our no-mess twist-up applicator is convenient but effective to showcase the product. And the product? A CBD body balm boosted with lavender, tea tree oils, and jojoba oil for a calming sensation to those irritated areas. Surely a great option to get you moving and grooving again!

CBD Balm Fire & Ice - A best seller for good reason! This CBD balm also features 1,250 mg of CBD, but it’s our spicy/icy one. Thanks to the boost of camphor (6.6%) and menthol (6.7%) this balm creates a pleasant warming and cooling sensation, all enriched with jojoba oil and featuring a subtle lemongrass aroma. Again, a popular option for those pesky pains that are in need of relief!