RacingBetter News
	Friday 21st January 2022

How Could Professional Jockeys Benefit from CBD Use?

CBD is in vogue. As more information is being gathered on its potentially beneficial properties, more and more products utilising CBD are becoming available. This is no exception for the sporting industry. In early 2018, CBD was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list of substances. As a result, more endorsements are emerging from famous athletes, as well as an increase in the number of products featuring CBD in the sports market. Let’s take a look at what CBD is and 4 ways it can be useful for professional jockeys.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (commonly referred to as CBD) is one of over a hundred compounds (known as cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant. While research into CBD is still in its infancy, and it has often been wrongfully tarred with the same brush as THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol), studies so far indicate that this compound may be an effective natural supplement.

CBD is currently gaining momentum in many areas, including in the field of sports. It is beginning to be studied much more, and some research has already shown that CBD can affect symptoms of pain and anxiety, among other potential benefits. You can see why it raises eyebrows in the sports industry.

What Is The Legal Status Of CBD Infused Products In Sport?

As previously mentioned, CBD is not listed on the WADA’s Prohibited List. Therefore, it is permissible to use in sport and, in turn, not regarded as performance-enhancing. Every other cannabinoid is prohibited in competition. This ensures that no cannabinoids are permitted that activate the same receptors in our brains that THC activates.

In the UK, CBD oil is entirely legal as long as it is pure cannabidiol. Pure CBD is essentially cannabidiol from EU-approved industrial hemp, which has less than 0.2% THC. As long as there are no THC levels alongside the CBD, it can be legally enjoyed.

Should Professional Jockeys Take CBD Products?

So how exactly can CBD help professional jockeys? Let’s take a look at 4 ways that many people, as well as athletes, choose to use CBD.

• CBD for pain relief: One of the main ways many users decide to use CBD is as a pain reliever. Historically, especially in the USA, doctors have prescribed opiates to relieve pain, despite being highly addictive. In the UK, athletes often rely on anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. Both of these have several significant adverse side effects. CBD, however, is a natural form of pain relief. This is because it helps the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, make sure that signals are correctly sent to the brain (including signals that produce chemicals linked to wellness and happiness).

The different ways professional jockeys can use CBD for pain relief include taking CBD gummies https://alphagreen.io, capsules, using oil drops or even massage oils.

• CBD for stress management: For professional jockeys who compete at a high level, stress can significantly affect their day-to-day lives. This stress can affect sleep, mood and concentration. In turn, these can have an impact on sports performances. CBD oil has been known to potentially help alleviate stress and anxiety symptoms. Again this is related to the ECS and how it reacts to make serotonin more potent.

It has also been reported that CBD not only helps people get to sleep faster but also helps increase sleep duration. This is an obvious benefit for professional jockeys, particularly the night before an important event.

Ways that jockeys may use CBD products for stress include infused teas or perhaps vaping with CBD. These methods may be especially effective as it mimics ways people often manage stress, such as vaping.

• CBD for appetite control: CBD has also been associated with improved metabolism and reduced food intake. Since professional jockeys must meet strict weight restrictions, this can allow them to adhere to the minimum riding weight for a specific race.

For this benefit, the best CBD products are infused teas and coffees, as these can be substituted for snacks.

• CBD for training focus: There is evidence that suggests that CBD oil can improve general concentration. Therefore, professional jockeys may choose CBD to help them increase their focus during training to keep them engaged and feeling good.

The best CBD product to use for this advantage would be a CBD-infused sports drink. Not only does it fit into a workout easily, but it also provides identical benefits to other sports drinks, such as improved hydration and replacing lost electrolytes.