Cannabidiol or CBD is a substance that is extracted from cannabis or marijuana. Just in case you were curious, CBD does not get you high. CBD is one of the several chemicals in the plant famed for its medicinal value. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC
is the psychoactive element of cannabis responsible for making people high. THC is not included in many commercial CBD products.
CBD has become very popular in Canada in pop culture and alternative medicine circles. Despite varied opinions on its effectiveness. CBD is said to have the following properties:
- Reduce anxiety
- Promote recovery after injuries
- Relieve pain.
World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from the list of controlled substances back in 2018. Since then, it has gained traction in use among athletes. Athletes are now using CBD to assist in muscle recovery and pain management.CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties, and it is said that it can boost immunity.
There has been an increasing number of golfers who are now using CBD. There are three significant reasons golfers use CBD:
- Give them a feeling of relaxation
- To reduce inflammation
- To aid in recovery in case there is an injury.
Science is still behind in proving the effectiveness of CBD. However, several studies back the effectiveness of CBD in dealing with issues that golfers face.
The ability of CBD to aid in recovery has been the subject of scientific studies. One such study handled the property of CBD to aid recovery. They found that orally administered CBD in rats reduces the inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is common to have inflamed joints after finishing an 18-course golf game.
CBD has become a popular topic among PGA tour players
Andy Levinson, the Executive Director of the PGA tour anti-doping program, said that they do not prohibit the use of CBD in its pure form. However, he added that the use of CBD in any of its available conditions is the player’s own risk.
CBD is currently sold and marketed as a supplement. This makes its regulation difficult by the FDA in the US. Lack of regulation has led to problems in the market. Products are mislabeled to claim a high CBD content than it contains. Companies can make huge claims about their product with little evidence to support them.
Players that take CBD supplements are strongly advised to adhere to products that are NSF
certified for sport. This is because there is no recourse to trust what the manufacturer puts on their product’s label.
There is several which CBD can be taken:
- Topical Oils and Lotions; Takes a longer time absorbed but has longer-lasting effects.
- Ingestion; Edible CBD oil can be added to food for easy integration. Gummies and chocolate are also becoming popular ways in which CBD is ingested.
- Inhalation; This is the quickest way to CBD into your bloodstream. This comes in vaping oils or e-cigarette that vapourises the CBD liquid into a vapour inhaled.