CBD can significantly speed up athletic recovery by reducing inflammation and helping muscles heal faster. THC, on the other hand, is excellent for managing pain and preventing sore muscles from interfering with training sessions.
Athletes don’t have to take large oral doses of CBD and THC for full-body effects; instead, they can use topicals applied directly to the skin for targeted benefits. Here are some of the best CBD topicals available across the country, including new Chicago marijuana shops. Remember, there are also many great CBD edibles worth exploring.
Spruce offers one of the most powerful CBD creams with attractive branding, combining skincare ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil with full-spectrum CBD to help manage muscle pain. FABCBD uses only safe, high-quality CBD from organic hemp farms in Colorado and donates part of its proceeds to charities and community events. Their cream contains blood orange essential oils to energize the mind while soothing tissues.
Medterra’s cream uses CBD isolate and includes menthol and arnica for a cool, soothing sensation that lasts for hours, making it ideal for chronic injuries or intense training recovery. cbdMD’s roll-on topical combines CBD with terpenes and beneficial cannabinoids like CBN and CBG, and comes in both roll-on and squeeze bottle options.
Green Roads ensures quality through the expertise of a licensed pharmacist who formulates and tests their products. They also provide third-party lab reports to educate consumers about cannabinoid and terpene content and confirm the absence of pesticides and heavy metals. Wildflower offers a cooling CBD topical stick, great for pre-exercise application to activate with warmth and sweat.
Populum’s rub, though lower in CBD content, is effective for minor aches and pains and everyday stiffness. Their “stiletto cream” is designed to soothe aching feet from high heels but works well for various discomforts in the extremities. Lord Jones recommends letting the cream absorb before aches set in for maximum effect.
Baskin offers a cream in two potencies: a 150mg formula for targeted healing and a 400mg formula for full-body relief or more concentrated effects. Onyx + Rose’s balm, despite its small container, has a high full-spectrum CBD content that relaxes muscles effectively.
Another Baskin product, their lotion with both CBD and THC, is designed for greater healing. Users apply it to pulse points for bloodstream absorption. Finally, Dixie’s balm, mixing CBD and THC, is best for hardcore athletes needing more powerful relief than CBD alone can provide.
There are many CBD topicals to try, and this list is a great starting point for those new to these high-performing products.