In this comprehensive CBD Oil guide for BJJ people, we will explain everything you need to know about it. Chances are you’ve already heard about it from your BJJ comrades at the gym. And if you are on the edge of making the right decision for yourself, now is the time to get fully informed!
This article is quite an extensive and informative one, so if you are searching for just some specific info, use the Table Of Contents for easier narrowing of your search.
Table of Contents
What exactly is CBD Oil?
CBD is an abbreviation for, the most effective active substance in the cannabinoid group. CBD is the basic cannabinoid of industrial hemp fiber (Cannabis sativa L.) It has no psychotropic properties and scientific studies have shown that it has numerous positive effects and has a significantly broader potential for medical action compared to the more well-known THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
CBD was discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 other cannabinoids identified in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant extract. Clinical studies of cannabidiol in 2018 included preliminary studies of cognition, anxiety, movement disorders, and pain.
Cannabidiol can be administered into the body in several ways, for example by inhaling cannabis smoke or vapor, or as an aerosol spray into the cheek and mouth.
Commonly, CBD oil is taken by BJJ practitioners to ease anxiety, reduce pain and inflammation, improve sleep and cognition, among a long list of other effects.
CBD has been used by athletes and sportspeople in different disciplines. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) says:
“Cannabidiol is not currently listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WAD) Prohibited List. As a result, it is permitted to use in sport. All other cannabinoids (including but not limited to cannabis, hashish, marijuana, and THC) are prohibited in-competition. The intention of the regulations is to prohibit cannabinoids that activate the same receptors in the brain as activated by THC.”
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are the active ingredients in hemp. So far, more than 80 cannabinoids have been isolated from the plant Cannabis sativa L. The best known are cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarin (CBDV), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), and cannabigerol (CBG). Within the plant, cannabinoids are synthesized and accumulated in the form of carboxylic (organic) acids (CBDA, THCA, CBCA, and CBGA), which are then converted to neutral forms by decarboxylation.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
Our brain creates its own set of cannabinoids via the endocannabinoid system, which is named after the plant Cannabis sativa (hemp). It is this system, that is responsible for many important body functions, such as satiety and hunger, sleep, emotions and movements. Endogenous cannabinoids interact with certain receptors that are found in the various parts of our body, such as the central nervous system and the immune system. They activate two types of receptors: C1, which are found in the nervous system, nerve endings and the brain, and C2, which are located within the immune system. C1 receptors are responsible for the psychotropic effects of certain cannabinoids, and C2 for the anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic effects of cannabis.
Do CBD Products Have Psychoactive Drug Properties?
Not. CBD does not work in the same way as THC which is best known as the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Cannabidiol has no such effect and does not affect a different world experience and behavioral change.
THC binds to the receptors that are found within the endocannabinoid system, consequently causing an altered state of mind. CBD does not actually bind to the receptors but instead helps to make the body’s own endocannabinoids more active. This, in turn, gives us a natural feeling of calm. This is also one of the reasons why the World Anti-Doping Agency accepts the CBD. BJJ athletes do not have to worry about CBD supplements that negatively interfere with sports. You also will not fail a drug test.
What Is The Difference Between THC And CBD?
THC is a psycho-active ingredient and will affect your psyche and brain, while CBD will not. Cannabidiol is not a psychotropic compound, and numerous studies show that CBD helps counteract the psychoactive impact of THC, which can cause anxiety or paranoia. Cannabidiol has the exact opposite effect and has the potential for clinical use in psychiatry.
The Benefits of CBD Oil for BJJ
CBD can have multiple effects within the ECS (Endocannabinoid system).
ECS is a system of cannabinoid neurotransmitters and receptors distributed throughout the human body. Moreover, ECS plays an important role in regulating things like pain, sleep, inflammation, and immune function.
More specifically, CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors within the ECS.
CB1 receptors are located mainly in the brain, while CB2 receptors are mainly found within the immune system and bone cells.
Most published research on CBD has shown considerable benefits for neurological conditions. For example, CBD can trigger positive effects on neurological conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
CBD has direct effects on the brain, the immune system, as well as several other reception systems, acting on serotonin (5HT) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors, with the former benefiting from anxiety reduction and the latter acting as a non-dependent form of pain therapy.
When an injury occurs, inflammation is triggered as a protective and healing response, and usually involves pain, heat, swelling, redness, and sometimes loss of function.
Inflammation is a useful mechanism for healing and recovery. However, when the process is extended beyond the usual timeframes, it becomes chronic and can present a problem.
For example, chronic inflammation can contribute to arthritis-related pain. CBD has been shown to be especially helpful in chronic inflammation.
Best CBD/Hemp Oil for BJJ In 2021
Now, let’s take a look at what 2021 has to offer us in terms of the best CBD oil for BJJ. With CBD oil, there are two main ways of consumption: vape or drops. Since everything in our guide is legal and made from hemp, the method of delivery is via drops only. Before you go shopping, consider the legal consequences of using a marijuana-based product. Not every country has the same CBD oil regulations, and they may differ even in different counties.
Eden’s Garden Cannabis Essential Oil
This Cannabis-derived oil is a therapeutic grade CBD. It is blended into carrier oils in order to help achieve a soothing blend. It works perfectly as an anti-inflammatory supplement. As such, it comes particularly useful to grapplers.
The manufacturer, Eden Garden, has been voted #1 Non-MLM Essential Oil Company, and has been around for close to a decade. The oil comes in several different varieties. The oil is third-party tested and approved. The manufacturer guarantees an all-natural product.
One important notice is that it was not intended for ingestion, but rather you have to apply it directly to the part of the body. First, you must dilute it with water and then use a towel or cloth to apply it to a body part that is aching. No synthetic ingredients are present.
Endocanna Care Cold Pressed Hemp Oil
The product is USA-made, containing absolutely no artificial flavors and additives. It is tested at a reputable third party facility for maximum results and – as a bonus – it comes cold-pressed, which increases its natural value.
CBD Oil And Jiu-Jitsu
As professional BJJ organizations continue to flourish, more and more diverse sports sponsorships are becoming increasingly more common. Long gone are the days when enthusiastic competitors stocked up just on protein, rash protectors and BJJ shirts.
Recovery has become an integral part of the regime of every serious jiu-jitsu practitioner. Correlated with the increasingly tolerant legal landscape, coupled with growing evidence of its effectiveness in helping the recovery, CBD products and manufacturing companies are born at an unprecedented rate. Many of them who make oil align directly with the jiu-jitsu culture through events such as the High Rollerz and the Black Belt CBD Invitational.
For starters, both MMA and Jiu-Jitsu are sports that require a significant amount of balance and strength. To be a good fighter, you need to rely on your body as a weapon, and this requires both physical and mental dexterity. Taking CBD or hemp oil, as a part of your BJJ supplement regime, is a great and natural way to promote these properties while reducing the stress and damage that occurs after a long tournament or session.
BJJ athletes benefit most from CBD oil because of its ability to relieve pain, inflammation and manage injuries.
CBD also has high antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, higher than Vitamin C or Vitamin E, other well-known antioxidants. This is important for us, as antioxidants reduce the level of free radicals, which are associated with increased inflammation and can contribute to a variety of health complications. In addition, CBD oil is non-toxic – which is a must in our sport of Jiu-Jitsu. It has next to no side effects, especially when compared to the standard NSAID / acetaminophen-type painkillers that are popular today. Also, CBD oil has been shown to improve sleep quality, which has been proven to be extremely important in injury recovery (particularly in Jiu-Jitsu).
How Can CBD Help Grapplers With Recovery?
With more and more BJJ gyms starting to gain in popularity, grapplers have more choices than ever of acquiring various supplements to help them with their athletic goals. One of the most important aspects of any Jiu-Jitsu training is the recovery phase. With its recent legalization and acceptance by the World Anti-Doping Agency, CBD oil is becoming one of the best supplements in the recovery process for thousands of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners.
Every time you train, your body breaks itself down to then be built back up. For MMA/Jiu-Jitsu participants, this process can be extremely strenuous as the physical demands on the body are so intense.
Activates Vanilloid And Endocannabinoid Receptors In The Body
Vanilloid receptors influence the response to inflammation and the amount of pain you will experience after exercise. With less inflammation and pain, the recovery process will be faster and easier to manage.
Anandamide, also known as the “bliss molecule”, is thought to be one of the reasons why someone has a euphoric feeling after exercise. With more anandamide available and present, it is easier and faster to return to the mats, with a greater degree of recovery.
Have you heard of the “runner’s high”, that happens after a prolonged workout? This phenomenon is not specific to runners only. This happens to all different types of athletes after a long workout. When you enter this “runner’s high” state, you tend to feel blissful. Most of the pain and discomfort that can occur in the early stages of exercise begin to dissolve.
People who experience this sensation start to think about how to extend the exercise for a significantly longer period of time. This comfortable feeling can motivate you to prolong your workout longer than you planned.
CBD stimulates the anandamide present in your body to stay active. This means that it is not recycled by the endocannabinoid system. CBD blocks the enzymes responsible for recycling anandamide. By taking CBD oil you will have more anandamide in the middle of your (BJJ) workout.
Improves Sleep Length And Quality
… which is proven essential for muscle recovery. Sometimes it is not easy to fall asleep after intense Jiu-Jitsu training, primarily because of a combination of pain and adrenaline. Sleep is scientifically proved as one of the most important elements of muscle recovery and growth. Without an adequate amount of sleep, these two will be difficult to achieve.
Can Help Athletes With Endurance
BJJ practitioners might find that CBD oil can increase endurance during combat. CBD activates 5-HT1A receptors in the brain, also known as serotonin receptors.
A lack of activity in serotonin receptors is associated with a decrease in energy and an increase in physical and mental fatigue. If you get tired in the middle of the week after a few intense exercises or feel tired in the middle of a fight, CBD could prove to be a great way to increase energy levels and reduce fatigue.
In addition to increasing endurance, interacting with serotonin receptors can also affect your mental state during recovery days. Have you ever been in a bad mood outside your workday? It may be because you had low levels of serotonin. CBD can help you change your mood and bring you to a more peaceful and relaxed state. Of course, a bad mood can sometimes lead to a lack of desire to train. You can skip going to the gym because you are not training. By taking CBD Oil, you can witness a reduction in skipped days and an improvement in the overall BJJ training regimen.
Improves Digestion
As is commonly known, one of the most common effects of THC is high appetite, which is why some people have developed concerns about the risk of weight gain. However, it has not been proven that using any cannabis product, including CBD and THC, causes the person to be overweight. What we do know is that cannabis produces potent antioxidant effects in the body, and thanks to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, it has also been shown to reduce acidity, nausea, vomiting, and inflammation of the digestive system.
For an athlete who follows a strict diet regimen, this means that there is almost no chance of getting constipation, gas, inflammation or pain. The absorption of nutrients increases significantly, which in turn leaves a higher level of energy. Keep in mind that food absorption plays a big role in your ability to maintain focus, high energy, and a positive mood – all of which certainly affect your skills on the mat.
Speeds Up Metabolism And Burns Fat
Another way CBD helps athletes is by increasing the number of mitochondria in body cells and enhancing their activity. These are subtle changes that cause the body to burn more calories during exercise. Combined with a higher metabolic rate, you’ll have what it takes to shape your body into a stronger, faster, and more flexible fighting machine.
Although the real science behind this effect is complicated, there is one factor called “brown fat” that involves the transformation of white adipose tissue into more active brown fatty tissue that helps with energy conversion. A higher metabolic rate is just one of the ways CBD leads to fat loss and improved performance.
Helps Decrease Appetite
CBD, opposite of the psychoactive compound THC, suppresses your appetite, making you feel fuller with fewer calories. If taken regularly, and as part of a wider fitness regimen, CBD can be used to suppress hunger and to consume fewer calories each day. A healthy appetite can sometimes hinder progress, which is why it is crucial that you manage your eating habits before and after the training session.
Relieves Stress And Anxiety
We have already mentioned how CBD improves digestion and reduces the onset of stomach problems, but we will now take a look at how cannabidiol affects the mind. One study involving nine volunteers found that 600 mg of CBD, when taken daily, lowered resting systolic blood pressure and maintained cardiac output within normal parameters. One way this happens is through the release of certain compounds that have anti-anxiety effects – such as endorphins, serotonin and anandamide, all of which reduce stress and tension in the body.
To balance hormones through the endocannabinoid network, CBD enhances the release of certain compounds and blocks messages sent via brain receptors known to cause stress (eg. cortisol). At the same time, specific brain receptors are activated through the CB1 and CB2 networks to minimize anxiety and stimulate positive emotions.
Lowers Blood Glucose Levels
Insulin dysfunction is the root cause of various disorders of blood sugar. When CB1 receptors are activated, one of the effects that follow is the normalization of insulin function, which helps to reduce blood sugar levels. The impact of blood sugar has been extensively studied, and results have been published in many health journals, including the American Journal of Medicine, which published a detailed article in 2013 analyzing how cannabis affects people with insulin resistance.
According to their research, regular cannabis use has led to at least a 16% decrease in insulin resistance and a 17% decrease in insulin levels after fasting. Overall, CBD has been found to improve insulin function without any complications.
Relieves Joint Pains And Arthritis
The effects of CBD on pain management and reducing inflammation are well documented. In pain relief, CBD acts on brain receptors that cause pain and reduce pain signals, while increasing hormones unrelated to pain. Prevention of inflammation also increases the mobility of patients with arthritis and enables them a higher quality of life. When used as a supplement in moderation, CBD can enhance your strength, mental focus, reduce anxiety and aid you to be a better martial artist.
Conclusion
CBD is becoming more and more popular amongst Jiu-Jitsu athletes because of the way it helps them recover between training sessions. After CBD was legalized at the federal and removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List, the door for Jiu-Jitsu athletes was opened to explore and experiment on how CBD could be incorporated into their training.
CBD benefits Jiu-Jitsu athletes mainly for:
– helping the muscles to recover,
– helping with the sleep,
– the ways it can increase endurance and energy during training.
Try CBD today if you are a Jiu-Jitsu athlete on a mission to improve your performance in this sport!
