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3 CBD Benefits Every Runner Needs To Know

3 CBD Benefits Every Runner Needs To Know

CBD sports drinks have become incredibly popular for working out, particularly runners at all levels. This makes sense when you consider that the many benefits of CBD, such as lower inflammation, pain relief, faster recovery, reduced anxiety and improved sleep are of utmost importance to people who enjoy (or are just starting) an active lifestyle.

The Benefits of CBD for Running

With so much popularity, brands are starting to create innovative products for athletes that use cannabinoids as a key ingredient. And there’s good reason, the Endocannabinoid System that works in conjunction with CBD is also responsible for the natural Runner’s High effect we all hope to experience. However, not all products are made equal and it is important to know the difference between CBD types. So, let’s start there.


Types of CBD Extracts


Isolate: When creating an isolate extract, the CBD chemical compound has been stripped away from all other phytocannabinoids. Although Isolate has benefits in being odorless and easy to mix with other ingredients, research has shown that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, also known as the entourage effect, boosts the effects of CBD. Stripping away all other cannabinoids prevents you from experiencing many of the benefits, making isolate the least effective.


Broad Spectrum: Unlike Isolate, Broad Spectrum CBD includes other compounds within the plant, minus the THC, which is removed after the initial extraction. Broad Spectrum extracts contain multiple cannabinoids which allow for the entourage effect to take place, without the psychoactive component of THC. Broad Spectrum CBD carries some of the tastes and terpenes from the plant, however, it is a consistent flavor depending on the extraction process.


Full Spectrum: If an extract is full-spectrum, it contains all phytochemicals found in the cannabis plant, including CBD, trace cannabinoids, and terpenes. Full-spectrum extracts also come with a negligible amount of THC (below 0.3%). By far the most potent of the three, Full-Spectrum CBD can give you a false positive result during a drug test, and has a varied flavor and terpene profile depending on the plant batch it was extracted from.


No matter which one you choose, always make sure the brands you go with offer third-party lab results to prove the efficacy and potency of their products.


Running Benefit #1: Lower Inflammation and Pain Relief

Inflammation and Pain

Inflammation is one of the key factors to pain, injury, and fast recovery. Managing inflammation can make all the difference between being unable to walk the next day to being able to jump out of bed and go for another 5k. Speeding recovery by helping to reduce the inflammation has unlimited benefits to performance and recovery. Many athletes have begun using CBD as a natural solution to inflammation. Prior to the 2018 legalization of CBD, many runners were known for taking daily doses of Advil and Ibuprofen, which carry a significant list of side effects. CBD has replaced these synthetic drugs and are showing that many are able to transition away and improve their quality of life.


Runner Benefit #2: Sleep and Recovery

CBD Benefits for Sleep and Recovery

Sleep and Recovery have finally become normalized as a necessary part of living a healthy and active life. Finding time for both on the other hand does become a challenge. Studies have suggested that CBD can help with falling sleeping and have deeper sleep which is incredibly important for recovery. The combination of cardiovascular exercise and CBD is a winning combination for those that want to feel their best when they’re awake, and be completely at ease when they’re asleep. And for those taking a much needed recovery day, CBD helps manage pain and inflammation so you can recover faster and get back out there when you’re ready to get moving again.


Runner Benefit #3: Anti-Anxiety

CBD Benefit Stress Relief

Although CBD is non-psychoactive, the mind body connection is very important and affects almost every aspect of your workout. Being stressed out mentally will always result in poor performance or inability to fulfill your fitness goals. CBD can help calm and stabilize the mind and body connection allowing you to focus on the activity and not the million other things you have going on. Some report experiencing a lethargic effect from CBD and need to balance with other ingredients, such as caffeine or L-Theanine.


Recap


Finding the right CBD product for your next run means you need to read reviews and test what makes sense for you. Thanks to the extraction process and third party testing, there is no risk in psychoactive effects. Testing efficacy and experience may take some time, but once you dial it in you should experience the many benefits of this powerful cannabinoid. OFFFIELD Enhanced Hydration uses Broad Spectrum CBD and CBG to kill two birds with one stone: the highest quality ingredients for hydration and the best water soluble CBD and CBG specifically formulated for endurance and activity.

OFFFIELD Enhanced Hydration - Original Lime

As a natural solution for many of the struggles with living an active lifestyle, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to CBD.

Tracking Your Enjoyment

A study titled “Enjoyment as a Predictor of Exercise Habit, Intention to Continue Exercising, and Exercise Frequency” emphasizes the critical role of exercise enjoyment in promoting long-term adherence to fitness routines. It found that when individuals engage in exercise that aligns with their preferred intensity, they experience higher levels of enjoyment, leading to stronger exercise habits, more frequent workouts, and a greater intention to continue exercising. 

Enjoyment acts as a motivating factor, reinforcing positive feelings and commitment to regular exercise. Tailoring workouts to match individual preferences for intensity can enhance the pleasure of exercise, ultimately fostering better engagement and sustainability in health club settings.

Another study found that cannabis may be a primary motivator for people to exercise more often because it elevates their enjoyment. This is a key factor for OFFFIELD, as we are endurance athletes in every sense of the word. We’re not just focused on getting to the finish line quicker in our next marathon, but also getting to the finish line way slower when it comes to life.

All of our products are formulated to activate your Endocannabinoid System, responsible for regulating mood during exercise. Our High Performance line of products, including Energy Gummies and Sports Drinks specifically focus on enjoyment as a key contributor to overall performance enhancement.

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The Bliss Molecule

Have you ever heard of a molecule, Anandamide? It's a special chemical in your body known as the “bliss molecule,” that helps you feel happy and relaxed.

When you run or do lots of exercise, sometimes you get a great feeling afterward or during longer duration training. This is called the Runner's High (you may have noticed we’re obsessed with it). Scientists used to think this was only because of endorphins, which are like natural painkillers. But now they know anandamide, a cannabinoid we produce in our body, is also the primary reason for the effects in both mind and body.

Anandamide works by fitting into receptors throughout your body, kind of like a key fitting into a lock. When this happens, it makes you feel good… real good. Funny enough, these receptors are the same ones that react to the chemicals in cannabis, or phyto-cannabinoids. Although similar, Anandamide is created by your own body.

So next time you're out running and start to feel amazing, you can thank anandamide. And if you want to hit it a little earlier, you can try our products designed to mimic our best buddy Anandamide. You don’t have to thank us, but we do accept compliments.

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New Study Reveals Benefits: Reduced Anxiety, Lower Obesity Risk, and Enhanced Memory

 

A groundbreaking new study conducted by researchers at Washington State University has revealed several significant health benefits associated with cannabis use, including a reduced risk of anxiety and obesity, as well as enhanced memory function. The findings, published in *Scientific Reports*, offer fresh insights into how CBG may impact mental and physical health.

Key Findings

1. Reduction in Anxiety:

The study found that individuals who had used cannabis within the past month were 31% less likely to experience anxiety compared to non-users. Participants who consumed cannabis recently showed marked resilience to stress, with significantly lower anxiety levels during the trial. These findings suggest that, particularly CBG, may offer a natural and effective means of managing anxiety without the cognitive impairments often associated with traditional treatments [oai_citation:1,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:2,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]().

2. Lower Risk of Obesity:

Another surprising outcome of the study was the discovery that recent cannabis users were also 31% less likely to be obese. This finding challenges the common stereotype that cannabis use leads to weight gain due to increased appetite or "the munchies." Instead, the study suggests that cannabinoids may influence metabolism, appetite regulation, and energy balance in ways that contribute to a healthier weight profile [oai_citation:3,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:4,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]

3. Enhanced Memory Function:

In addition to reducing anxiety and obesity risk, the study found that CBG may enhance memory, particularly verbal recall. CBG appeared to improve participants' ability to remember and recall information. This finding could have significant implications for those seeking to manage anxiety without sacrificing cognitive function [oai_citation:5,CBG Shows Promise in Reducing Anxiety Without Intoxication - ScienceBlog.com]

Implications and Future Research:

These findings highlight the potential of cannabinoids like CBG in addressing some of the most pressing health concerns today, including anxiety disorders and obesity. As more people seek natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, the role of cannabis in health and wellness continues to expand. However, while these results are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to explore the long-term impacts of cannabis use on mental and physical health.

Future studies will likely focus on the physiological effects of cannabis, such as its impact on heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, as well as its broader implications for cognitive and metabolic health. Additionally, researchers are keen to investigate how different cannabinoids interact and what combinations might offer the most therapeutic benefits.

For those interested in exploring the details, the full study is available here  [oai_citation:6,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial].

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