If you exercise, then chances are you had a sports injury at one time or another. Sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations and tendinitis are frequent sports injuries suffered by elite athletes and weekend warriors alike. Sports injuries can cause pain, inflammation and movement issues that may affect daily living and performance.
Cannabis has long been used to improve athletic performance and relieve pain. The most common form of THC (i.e. tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component) in marijuana plants is Delta-9. It is almost identical to the Delta-8 THC extracted from hemp plants. But while Delta-8 possesses similar energizing and relaxing qualities, it may be milder than Delta-9 THC.
Exhale Delta-8 products can provide pleasure, relaxation, and pain alleviation. However, overconsumption can also cause dry mouth, red eyes, anxiety, and coordination issues.
Read on to learn more about delta-8's potential benefits and hazards for sports injury, and its legal and safety implications.
Potential Benefits of Delta-8 for Sports Injury
While cannabis and THC prohibition means that little scientific data exists, anecdotal evidence and animal studies suggest delta-8 help alleviate sports injuries in a variety of ways:
Anti-inflammatory
Delta-8's anti-inflammatory qualities may minimize swelling from sports injuries. While inflammation is a natural response to injury, it can cause discomfort and tissue damage. Delta-8 may regulate the immune system and suppress cytokines and prostaglandins, molecules that play a major role in the inflammatory process.
Analgesic
Delta-8's analgesic qualities may ease sports injury pain. The subjective experience of pain indicates tissue injury or prospective harm. Delta-8 may lessen pain signals by binding to brain and spinal cord cannabinoid receptors.
Relaxant
Delta-8 may relax muscles and minimize sports injury-related spasms. Involuntary muscular contractions induce stiffness, discomfort, and cramping. Delta-8 affects calcium channels and GABA receptors, which relax and contract muscles.
Neuroprotective
Delta-8 may offer neuroprotection against sports-related nerve damage. Loss or degradation of nerve cell function can produce numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis. Delta-8 may protect nerve cells against nerve-damaging oxidative stress, inflammation, and excitotoxicity.
How to Use Delta-8 for Sports Injury
If you use delta-8 for sports injury, follow some general guidelines to ensure safe and effective use:
Consult your doctor
If you have any medical conditions or allergies, or take medications, you should consult your doctor before using delta-8 for sports injury. The benefits and risks of delta-8 will be explained to you by your doctor, as well as the appropriate dosage and frequency, interactions, or contraindications with other substances or treatments.
Choose a reputable source
Some reliable sources for acquiring delta-8 products are licensed dispensaries, certified online stores, or trustworthy brands. Checking these products' labels, certificates, and reviews is also essential. It can also be helpful to know what ingredients are used in them, how they are concentrated, from which plant they were extracted, and test results for such products. Try to refrain from products that are mislabeled, untested, or contaminated.
Start low and go slow
Start with a low dose of delta-8 and increase it gradually until you find the right amount for your. Remember, it can take some time to feel the effects of delta-8 depending on your consumption method and tolerance level. Taking too much delta-8 can result in adverse outcomes or an overdose.
Monitor the effects and side effects
For your sports injury and in general, keep track of delta-8’s effects and side effects. Write down how much you take, how often, and by what method (if any), in addition to the benefits, risks, and changes. While consulting a doctor on the efficacy of delta-8, mention all serious or persistent adverse reactions.
Stop or reduce the use if necessary
Stop using delta-8 or use it less if you notice negative consequences like addiction, withdrawal symptoms, disability, or legal issues. Additionally, stop using delta-8 when you reach your objectives, for example, recovering from your sports injury or when it is no longer necessary. Before you quit taking delta-8, consult with your doctor because s/he may want you to taper off gradually instead of stopping abruptly.
Delta 8 THC and Muscle Recovery
Delta 8 THC, like CBD, has positive effects on muscle recovery. Cannabinoids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in pain relief. These stimulate two receptors within the endocannabinoid system (ECS): the CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptor.
Receptor stimulation helps regulate the synthesis of certain chemicals involved in pain and inflammation signaling within the body. During exercise, one of its typical situations is muscle tissue damage, which can be escalated by excessive training or lack of recovery time between sessions. Called rhabdomyolysis, this leads to discomfort, inflammation and muscle weakness, and may even involve kidney damage.
Delta- 8 THC results in heightened relaxation, reduced anxiety, and depression relief. As part of post-workout recovery treatments, including delta-8 THC could enhance your mood, and allow for better sleep. This in turn will quicken your healing process, allowing you to get back into action earlier than anticipated.
Conclusion
Delta-8 THC can aid healing and active living. Quality lab-tested and approved products are always recommended, especially since lower-quality items may cause paranoia or anxiety.
As with all cannabis products, it’s important to use Deta-8 responsibly and to be aware of local laws and regulations. To store your Delta-8 THC products and other goodies securely, check out the roomy Flower Stampede Locking, Smell Proof Stash Bag.