Using CBDa and CBD Salve for Athletes
Posted on June 1st, 2023
Recently, there’s been a surge of interest in CBD salve for athletes. Is topical CBD an effective topical supplement for this crew? And can trying CBD salve with CBDa give these sporty folks an extra bounce in their steps? Read on to find out why so many athletes are falling for salves infused with CBD and CBDa.
What Is CBD Salve?
Sometimes referred to as an ointment or balm, a salve is a thick cream that’s designed to be applied to the skin. Many people use salves in one spot, but others also apply salves to soothe dry skin.
CBD salves are salves that contain cannabinoids. (These are chemical compounds that are typically extracted from hemp plants.) In our Tanasi CBD salves, we use a patent-pending, 1:1 formulation that includes CBD and CBDa in equal parts. And we do that because the research suggests this combination is 2X more effective than formulations using CBD alone.
There are many CBD salves on the market today, including products that contain additional ingredients like camphor and menthol. But many athletes prefer the CBD and CBDa combo for more noticeable effects after a tough training session.
How Can CBD Salve Help Athletes?
Using CBD creams and ointments can help athletes as part of their daily wellness routines. Just as many athletic individuals will stretch before and after working out or training, other athletes love to apply a CBDa and CBD salve before or after a tough workout. (Or at both times, for good measure!)
Another option for athletes? Apply our CBD + CBDa salve prior to working out. Then, when you’re done, try our muscle relief rub so you can seamlessly move into the rest of your day’s events.
Why Use Topical CBD?
Although CBD comes in many forms, including edible products and tinctures, topical products like salves are one of the best options for athletes. When you use a topical product, you can target specific areas of the body, making it ideal for athletes that are recovering from injuries or dealing with sore muscles.
When CBD is absorbed through the skin, it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Instead, it gets to work on the spot. And, quickly too! Most people will notice effects within 15 to 45 minutes. In many cases, the effects can last for hours or more.
Do Topical CBD Products Have Side Effects?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there’s virtually no THC in CBD creams, which means you shouldn’t have to worry about psychoactive properties. In fact, topical CBD has been linked to very few side effects.
The one side effect you should watch out for is contact dermatitis, which can be an issue for any skin product. It’s best to test a product on a small portion of your skin before use. That way, you can check to see if your skin has a reaction to the product ahead of time. If you’re sensitive to any ingredients, you should scan the labels of products to make sure they’re free of these ingredients.
Should You Use a Full-Spectrum or Broad-Spectrum Salve?
There are three main types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains most of the compounds and cannabinoids that are found in a cannabis plant, which may include up to 0.3% THC. These trace amounts of THC are unlikely to have any effect on a salve, but other compounds have the potential to be beneficial.
With broad-spectrum CBD, you can enjoy the advantages offered by additional cannabinoids and compounds without worrying about THC. This type of CBD goes through additional processing to ensure that THC is completely removed from the final product. If you have concerns about THC, a salve made with broad-spectrum CBD is likely to be your best choice.
In addition to these two options, there are also products that use CBD isolates. Isolates contain CBD and nothing else. Although this means you won’t be able to enjoy any additional benefits that other cannabinoids could offer, it’s an excellent choice if you want a product made with pure CBD.
At the end of the day, every type of CBD offers its own unique benefits. Take the time to consider what you want out of a salve, Once you’ve done that, you can decide on the best type of CBD for your needs.
How Can You Find the Best CBD Salve for Athletes?
It’s always important to purchase CBD products from a trustworthy supplier that provides detailed information about the products that they sell. Look for sellers that use third-party testing to confirm the quality of their products. If possible, you should buy products from manufacturers that, like Tanasi, use US-grown hemp for their products.
Another significant consideration is dosage. If you’re new to using CBD creams, you may want to start with products that contain a lower dosage. Compare the dosage of various products. Look for a suitable product that has a lower dosage per application.
While CBD is the key ingredient in most salves, you’ll find many other ingredients in these products as well, which is why it’s critical to read labels closely. Look for ingredients that are backed by research, like the kind we’re conducting on autophagy. (Search for that term here, in our patent application, to learn more.)
It isn’t necessary to use a product that was formulated with athletes in mind, but you may find that these products give you better results. Other factors to take into consideration include pricing, CBD type, and product application. Compare a range of products so that you can find the salve that best suits your needs.
How Should You Use CBD Salve?
It’s always best to apply a small amount of CBD cream to your skin. Even if you do choose a product with a low dosage, topical CBD products are highly concentrated. Start with a small amount and massage it into your skin. From there, you can apply more product as needed, making sure that the area you want to treat is completely covered.
As mentioned previously, it usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes to feel the effects of a topical CBD product. If more than an hour has passed, and the product hasn’t given you the effects you’re looking for, you can try applying more product for better results.
CBD salves offer an array of potential effects, and because of that, many athletes rub a salve into their muscles as part of their post-workout routine.
No matter how you choose to use salves, it’s clear that topical CBD with CBDa can be a real asset for athletes. So dive in and explore the effects for yourself to see if this supplement meets your athletic needs!