Learn CBD – Everything You Need to Know About CBD

Last Updated on March 15, 2021 by

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An Introduction to CBD

What a year 2020 is and has been, utter chaos. But what does chaos bring? New opportunities, and what a new opportunity CBD has shown itself to be. From a mental, physical and spiritual standpoint. CBD has prevailed in recent years as the go-to supplement for these three things.

In this article I’m going to dive deep into everything CBD so you, the PIIT reader can be ahead of the Cannabinoid curve. Without further a-do, let’s jump in.

What is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is the second most active property found in the Cannabis Sativa/Indica plant. CBD has no psychoactive properties.
CBD when isolated from other properties in Cannabis, may have many benefits for everyday life. Especially in the health & fitness world. For example, It’s praised for its anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also been found useful to people with chronic diseases/illnesses as a natural remedy.

What is CBD short for?

CBD is an abbreviation for ‘Cannabidiol’. Although the Hemp and Cannabis plant has been used for millennia for all sorts of reasons. CBD was clinically discovered in the 1940s by Roger Adams, an American chemist. Who gave the compound the name Cannabidiol or CBD for short.

Does CBD get you high?

No, is the simple answer to that question. CBD contains trace or an undetectable amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), not enough to give you any psychoactive effect. Most providers of CBD heavily screen their products for the sake of the law and their customers.

What else is in CBD?

There may be no THC in CBD but there are sometimes other properties included in the mixture. Such as different Cannabinoids, Turpins and ailments depending on your choice of CBD. These extras have their own positive benefits out right.

MCT Oil & CBD

What is MCT oil?

Specific types of food with a high yield of fat have a particular structure of molecules called medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s). These molecules are different to the standard long-chain fatty acids (LCT’s) that we normally consume. They’re different as they are broken down by the body much faster.

Where does MCT oil originate from?

MCT oil has a few sources, although it’s mainly sourced from; Palm Oil, Coconut Oil and Dairy products. The favourite being Cocunut oil as the percentage of non-isolated MCT in Coconut Oil is around 54%.

How 100% Pure MCT Oil made?

We get pure MCT oil by a process called fractionation. This isolates and extracts the pre-MCT product from the rest of the unwanted fatty bi-products. Resulting in a pure concentration of MCT.

Why mix MCT Oil & CBD?

We all already know the positive benefits that CBD has, but why add MCT oil into the mix? Well, here are a few reasons why.
Better CBD absorption, Faster CBD absorption, Keto diet friendly and ketone inducing, Weight loss and weight management aid
Long lasting energy booster as well as Enhanced cognitive function when combined with CBD.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, but as you can see MCT Oil and CBD go together like a charm. Not only does MCT Oil help the quality and speed of CBD absorption, but it also improves energy, fat loss, cognitive function and more.

How do I take MCT Oil?

MCT oil is an accessible product in a sense that it’s flavourless and comes in a liquid or gel tablet form. You can choose from the following list, to name a few options.
You can: Use it as a cooking oil, Take the Gel Tablet form, Mix it with Coffee or Tea, Use it as a home-made Salad Dressing ingredient
Add it to your Smoothie, Use it to make a Compound Butter
Add it to your Protein shake.
As you can see there are an infinite amount of options. The only limit is that of your own creativity. You can add it to any type of food or liquid, or take it straight.

CBD for a Healthy Life

What can CBD do for me?

Many clinical studies have been conducted to find the benefits of CBD. Varied results have been found especially for the body. Interesting data has emerged that by using CBD your immune system can be significantly boosted. CBD is also wonderful for relaxing your mind, alleviating stress, inflammation and also boosting mood.

What Psychological benefits does CBD have?

As I briefly stated above CBD alleviates stress and can put you at ease. But it also has been proven to provide positive effects for people with anxiety and depression.

What Physical benefits does CBD have?

CBD is mainly consumed for the positive physical effects it brings to the table. It has been proven to reduce inflammation. It also from personal experience has helped with nagging pain from injuries. CBD has been shown to speed up recovery after muscle breakdown too.

Does CBD have any effect on mood?

CBD can help with mood disorders or if you’re feeling low, in a sense of stabilisation. It’s been shown to even out your mood in a study conducted in rats. Rather than up and down, you’re going to stay cool-headed and level.

CBD for Sport & Fitness

Since this is a fitness blog with the primary focus on weightlifting. I’m going to speak on how CBD coincides with fitness as a whole and what use it has in specific sports and activities.

CBD for Weightlifting

Why is CBD popular in weightlifting?

CBD is rising as the new star in the fitness industry in terms of supplements. It’s ideal, it relieves pain, reduces inflammation, improves sleep, has been shown to increase Testosterone and puts people at ease. What more could you ask for from a fitness supplement?

Does CBD help injuries?

Most experienced lifters will have nagging or ongoing injuries either in their Knees, Elbows or Shoulders. CBD if taken before and after a tough workout will keep the inflammation down on the point of the injury. Inflammation arises when friction occurs, which causes the joints to rub apart their matter. This is often the case with the Rotator Cuff in the shoulder.

Does CBD really increase Testosterone?

CBD improves your quality of sleep by increasing the REM phase of sleep. Subsequently you’re going to increase your testosterone levels and decrease your stress levels. Which will lead to better PB’s in the gym, better gains, less fat and better Testosterone levels.

Can CBD help with proper mind-muscle connection?

CBD helps in providing focus and a clear mind which will allow you to focus on the mind-muscle connection whilst you’re performing the exercise. Resulting in better activation in the muscle you’re desiring to target.

Will CBD boost my energy in the gym?

Lastly, CBD has been shown to boost energy, not only because of improved quality of sleep, but because of the Cannabidiol and Turpins themselves. This extra energy is going to give you that extra boost for you to do better than last time.

CBD for MMA & Contact sports

Why is CBD popular with contact sports athletes?

CBD has been adopted by the fight and contact sports community with open arms. Whether that be MMA, Boxing, Rugby, Wrestling and so on. So many athletes have taken a shine to CBD. What’s the reason for this you may ask. Well, the main would be recovery and pain relief.

How does CBD help combat sports athletes?

Contact sports are demanding on the body, and I can speak from experience. You’re expected to take a hard hit one day and perform the next, without any lull in performance. This is where CBD springs into action. CBD acts as an alternative pain relief and an anti-inflammatory.

Will CBD improve my performance?

As mentioned in the weightlifting section, CBD is going to increase your Testosterone, focus and recovery. Meaning you’re going to be faster, stronger, smarter and recover more rapidly than on average.

Is taking CBD cheating?

No, a resounding no. No athletic commission board in the world such as USADA or the Olympics have ruled CBD out as a form of cheating. CBD helps your mind and body get into its natural rhythm.

When should I take CBD for best results?

From my own personal experience using CBD. I would suggest taking CBD in the morning upon waking up, and after your fight/game for optimal recovery. Though others prefer taking CBD in the evening before sleeping, and find it has a relaxing effect on the body.

CBD for Esports

Is CBD good and Esports?

CBD has risen alongside E-Sports in a sense that they’re both very new concepts in practice. But, many E-sport participants actually use CBD to gain an edge on their competition due to the many psychological benefits CBD gives the user.

How can CBD help an Esports Athlete?

CBD taken at the right time can provide the user with an extra sense of focus, but also relaxation. This relaxation adds to the confidence of the Esports athlete.

When should an Esports Athlete take CBD?

Correct dosage timing can be an important thing if you’re wanting specific results. Usually I’d suggest non athlete users to take CBD when you wake up and then again before you go to bed. But, in this case I’d suggest taking CBD 1 hour before your event or competition for extra focus.

Will CBD help with pre-competition nerves?

One of CBD’s main uses is that of a stress reliever. Though It’s impossible for any medication to completely rid you of the butterflies, CBD will do a lot better than any other natural medicine.

What type of CBD form is best for an Esports athlete?

This is dependent on the person. However, due to the fast pitched nature of the sport, you’re not going to want to sit applying cream. So, I’d suggest either the drops which you can add in a drink, or an edible form.

CBD for Athletes

Is CBD the right choice for an athlete?

I’ve discussed specific sports and CBD’s applied benefits to them. But, CBD could be the right choice no matter what type of athlete you are. This is due to its vast medicinal benefits.

Why is CBD good for athletes?

As I’ve mentioned CBD is excellent at reducing injury risk and improving recovery time. Which are two of the most pressing matters for athletes.

What can CBD do for me as an athlete?

D can provide a whole host of benefits for athletes. Such as mental clarity, stress reduction and even a natural Testosterone increase!

What dosage of CBD should an athlete take?

This is particular to your situation with things such as; height, weight, reason for consumption or condition you’re treating. We would recommend around 20-40 mg per day. This way you can up or lower the does depending on your feeling.

What is the best CBD form for me?

I would suggest either the cream form of CBD if you are looking more for the muscle recovery side of things. Or, the drop form which you can mix into your water or sports drink if you need something on the go.

CBD for Mental Health

Some studies indicate that CBD can help relieve symptoms of Stress, Anxiety and Depression.

In this day and age, especially with the year we’ve been having with lockdowns and all, mental health issues are on a dramatic rise. Some studies have found that up to 1 in 5 people have an ongoing mental health issue. And that’s just the people speaking out.

What causes Mental Health Issues?

Mental health disorders and issues can originate from many places. Such as a single traumatic event, a build up of things over-time, a lack of neurotransmitters or just out of no-where. Here are some specific examples of where mental health issues can originate from:

Losing a loved one
A Dramatic lifestyle change (changing jobs, schools, location etc)
Witnessing a traumatic event
Feelings of guilt
Lack of life satisfaction
Emotional issues such as low self-esteem
Lack of the Neuro-transmitter Serotonin
Drug or Alchohol abuse

The first step to recovery, is noticing you have a problem and seeking help.

As I said COVID-19 has made every ones’ life tough. But, you should never feel alone. If you feel lonely, suicidal or that you would just like to talk to someone, please reach out to one of these organisations. They will talk to you openly and with no judgement.

Samaritans (Suicide Prevention) – 116 123 http://www.samaritans.org/
Anxiety UK (Support for anxiety disorders) – 03444 775 774 www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Mind (Promotes views and needs of people with mental health issues) – 0300 123 3393 http://www.mind.org.uk/
CALM (For men aged 15 – 35) – 0800 58 58 58 http://www.thecalmzone.net/
SMART Recovery UK (Addiction) – 0330 053 6022 https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

What can CBD do for me?

I am not going to tell you that CBD is a miracle drug that helps everything under the sun because it doesn’t. But in terms of mental health it can help.

It’s not going to cure you or suddenly get rid of your issues overnight. But, what it can do for some people Is make it that 20% better. Although 20% doesn’t sound like a lot, you’ll notice the difference.

CBD has been studied as a stress reliever for some time now. Some studies have shown that it can decrease your stress levels and improve your sleep quality.

Sleep is vital for mental health as it regulates our neurotransmitters. A lack of quality sleep leaves you deprived of feel good transmitters such as Dopamine and Serotonin.

A lack of these can leave you feeling Depressed, Anxious and stressed. So, although CBD isn’t going to cure everything it can help with sleep and stress relief. Which will leave you in a better state of mind.

CBD for Mental Health Q&A

Can CBD help me with feelings of Depression?

CBD can help with depression, but it’s not the whole answer.

Can CBD help me with Insomnia?

Yes, CBD is effective in helping insomnia. It helps to relax your mind before sleep, making it easier for you to nod off.

Can CBD help me with Anxiety

Studies have shown that CBD can reduce the severity of Anxiety in patients by a substantial amount.

Will CBD cure me?

No! And anyone telling you any different is a straight up liar. CBD is like a weapon in your arsenal. You can use it in conjunction with other things.

Will CBD definitely help me?

CBD affects people differently. Some people will feel little, whereas for some people It’s a god send. So, I suggest you try and see.

Can I be prescribed CBD?

Currently under the NHS, CBD is only prescribed to patients with severe forms of Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis and patients on Chemotherapy.

Can I buy CBD over the counter?

Yes! Some pharmacies and health shops do sell CBD over the counter. However, it’s probably easier to purchase CBD online. Plus it will be cheaper and you’ll have more of a selection to choose from.

How do I recover from my Mental Health issue?

Although, I am not a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. I do have first-hand experienced of Anxiety, depression and Insomnia. And I can share with you the things that have helped me in my road to recovery. As well as info of how CBD can ease the bumps in the road.

1. Acknowledging you have an issue

It’s sad that there’s so much stigma in mental health these days. People don’t even admit to themselves that something wrong. This is the first step to recovery. Why sit and suffer for the sake of not asking for help?

2. Seeking help

You need to seek help! If you had Cancer would you try to cure it all by yourself? Of course not, you’d go to a professional. I would suggest a private counsellor/therapist. They’re going to give you a non-biased form of emotional support.

3. Medicinal Support

Now medicinal support comes into play. There are many types of medicine out there for all different mental issues, I’d suggest you speak to your Doctor for that. But what I can say may help is CBD. It’s going to relieve some of your stress, help with feelings of relaxation and increase the quality of you sleep. Which we all know is vital for mental health.

4. Life Goals

One thing that’s helped me drastically is working towards where I want to be in life. Every day when you go to sleep it feels great to know that today you’ve worked towards your goals. It’s something to really be proud about.

5. Self Love

The only person you’re going to be with for the rest of your life is you. You need to be your own best friend. Once you start practising loving yourself, your self-esteem and confidence will sky rocket.

6. Exercise

I’ll be brief on this, but we all know how vital exercise is for our health, and not just physical but mental too. Exercise releases Endorphines and feel good Neurotransmitors. Along side that it improves out body’s health which goes alongside our mental health.

CBD for Physical Health

The Cannabis plant has been used for centuries for its healing properties on the body. The main ingredient that does the ‘healing’ is the CBD element. CBD can help many aspects of your physical body, such as the things in the section below.

CBD for Immunity

Scientific studies have found that CBD oil can help boost the bodies immune system and promote feelings of health and well-being.

What is the Immune System?

The immune system is a vast and complex network of cells, organs, and tissue organised by your body to help fight hostile foreign invaders. Invaders such as nasty germs and viruses.

How can I improve my immune system?

There are many ways you can improve your immune system such as:

Limiting Alcohol consumption
Eating more Fruits and Vegetables
Increasing your daily Water intake
Getting more exercise
Stopping Smoking
Avoiding Drugs
Getting better sleep
Limiting stress

As you can see, to boost your immune system you need to live a more active and healthy lifestyle. Similar to improving other aspects of your health.

How can CBD help my Immune system?

There are some studies that indicate CBD helps to boost your immune systems’ strength and response time, as well as its’ effectiveness. There are also studies that found people who took CBD with auto-immune deficiency diseases had a lesser tissue cannibalisation rate.

CBD for Muscle Spasms and Similiar Disorders

CBD is well documented in reducing the effects and severity of muscle spasms, certain disorders, and even things such as Epilepsy and Parkinsons Disease.

What is a Muscle Spasm?

A muscle spasm is an uncontrolled and unwanted contraction of the muscle fibres. These occur due to inflammatory problems, these can originate from a number of reasons such as:

Dehydration
Overexcersised
Stress
Sickness
Exhaustion

How can CBD Help Muscle Spasms?

As I’ve mentioned CBD has brilliant anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to relax the muscles directly through the Cannabanoid system in our body.

How can CBD help Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders?

This topic is well documented through large scientific studies and through anecdotal evidence. The studies found that CBD helped children that did not respond to traditional therapies, in terms of managing their seizure frequencies and severity.

The CBD helps by soothing the body and slowing the electrical impulses that are out of line in the Brains of the patients.

CBD for Inflammation

Much evidence from clinical studies and anecdotal evidence has shown that CBD is excellent in reducing inflammation in the body. CBD helps this by interacting with the bodies Endocannabinoid system or ‘ECS’ for short. The ECS is connected to our Nerve and Muscle networks in our bodies, and when activated we feel a sense of relaxation.

How can I avoid Inflammation?

Inflammation like many things in regard to health, can be avoided if you live a healthier lifestyle. So it’s best to live an active and healthy life. Eat real whole foods, exercise and try to avoid or limit smoking and Alcohol as much as possible.

What causes Inflammation?

Infection
Injury
Long term exposure to Irittants
Excess Sugar
Smoking
Poor Quality Food
Vitamin & Mineral deficiencies
Excess Refined Carbohydrates
Excess Red Meat
Stress
Alergies

As you can see there are many causes of inflammation, try to improve the easiest first such as diet and exercise.

How should I take CBD for Inflammation?

As mentioned, CBD can be taken for anti-Inflammatory purposes. However, depending on your specific inflammation it may be better to take a certain type of CBD.

If you’re having indigestion of are suffering with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) I’d suggest taking the oil drops or gel tabs. Or if you’re suffering with something external such as a swollen muscle you can rub in the CBD cream into the affected area.

CBD for Cardiac Health

CBD has been shown in clinical studies to improve circulation and reduce high blood pressure in subjected patients. It does this in a similar way to the anti-spasm effects mentioned before. This happens due to the ECS system which relaxes the muscles of the heart.

CBD for Sleep

One of CBD’s main benefits is that of helping you in terms of sleep, rest and relaxation. Sleep is vital to your bodies physical and psychological function, without quality sleep we start to burn-out and breakdown. A proper aid in getting a good nights sleep may literally be a lifesaver to you.

Why do we Need Sleep?

This question is still debated to this day by Scientists, Philosophers and academics. But, the medical consensus as of why we need sleep is for some of these reasons:

Neuro-transmitter regeneration
Muscle re-construction
Disease prevention
Skin re-generation
Proper digestive function
Muscle recovery & rest

Generally, we need sleep to re-charge and recover our bodies as well as just giving our brains a rest from constant activity.

How can I Get a Better Night Sleep?

You may have trouble getting to sleep or you may have issues in your quality of sleep. You can try these 3 trusted methods in getting a better nights sleep.

1. Be active during the day

In the 21st century a lot of us live sedentary lifestyles. With this, our bodies aren’t tired enough to nod off straight away! Try aim to get some form of exercise or 10k steps in per day.

2. Eliminate all light and sound

When we are ready to go to sleep a hormone called Melatonin is released from our Brains causing us to hit the hay. When there is too much light or sound when you’re sleeping it’s much harder to fall asleep. Try to black out your room and close all doors and windows for the best possible sleep.

3. Avoid screens before bed

The Blue light behind our devices and screens throw off our Circadium rhythm and Melatonin production. With these two functions down-regulated it makes it harder for us to fall asleep. Try avoiding all screens 45 minutes before bed.

How can CBD Help me Sleep?

How do I take CBD for Sleep?

CBD in laments terms tells your body to relax and calm down. This is why CBD is used worldwide by millions as a sleep aid instead of harmful and addictive traditional drugs.
CBD utilises our Endo-cannabinoid System or ECS which is connected to our whole body through our Nerves, Brain and Muscles. The ECS tells these parts of our bodies to slow down and relax.
Certain studies have shown that CBD helps with the re-balance of our Circadian rhythm and with the production of Melatonin. This results in a much better nights sleep.

How do I take CBD for Sleep?

The best way to take CBD for sleep is to administer 1-3 drops (depending on dosing), of your CBD oil 1 hour before bed.

This one hour allows time for your body to administer and distribute the CBD through your Endo-Cannabinoid system (ECS) effectively.

Why you Shouldn’t Try CBD

CBD has many positive sides to its story but does it have any negatives? Well there may be some as you’ll see below but not in the way you’d expect.

Why shouldn’t I use CBD?

Some reasons you should not try CBD are:

The Cost
Under 18
Against Doctor’s supervision
Illegal in your country
Untrusted Brand

As you can see I’ve listed above some reasons as to way you should not use CBD. In more detail, CBD is not cheap depending on the Brand and your location. You should not be using CBD if you are under 18 and without your parents permission, or against your Doctor’s supervision.

CBD is a relatively new medication and may carry some stigma connected to its cousin Cannabis. Don’t use CBD if it is illegal in your country or region. Lastly, don’t use CBD from an untrusted brand as you don’t know what’s really in there!

And who do we trust here at PIIT? Well we trust one of the biggest brands creating CBD for Athletes. Checkout of Pure Sport CBD Review to discover why we love their products. From being created by International Athletes themselves, to the rigorous Lab Testing. We love the transparency and quality these guys push out.

Conclusion

In this article I’ve covered how CBD can help you Athletically, Physically, Psychologically and in many other ways. CBD may change your life for the better. Give it a shot.

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