Highly competitive athletes regularly face more intensive physical training and mental stress levels. Quality, restful sleep is considered critical for peak athletic performance and workout recovery. Lately, more and more elite athletes are relying on cannabidiol (CBD) to improve their sleep quality.
Can sleep affect hormone levels?
One important hormone essential for athletic performance is human growth hormone (HGH). HGH is produced by the pituitary gland and among other functions, helps to regulate muscle growth. Muscle growth is vital for athletic recovery following strenuous training and competition. The majority of the daily release of HGH occurs during stage three of non-REM sleep. Therefore, it is this stage of sleep in which the body actively repairs and restores itself.
Testosterone is another hormone essential for muscle growth. It is believed that testosterone release is also impaired by sleep deprivation. So, with poor or inadequate sleep, the body doesn’t have the same opportunity for muscle development.
How does REM sleep impact athletic performance?
It’s been suggested that REM sleep is associated with motor skill memory. Researchers have observed that adequate, quality sleep the night after a task positively correlates with memory retention and recall the following day.
What about an athlete’s reaction time?
Several studies have investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on performance. One particular study of college athletes in 2012 investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on reaction time. The investigators found that athletes who were sleep-deprived for one night demonstrated a significant reaction time slowing from baseline.
So what can CBD do for sleep?
The human body has a naturally-occurring internal cannabinoid system (known as the endocannabinoid system or ECS). Researchers discovered the ECS plays an important role in maintaining many body functions including sleep.
The ECS contains a network of cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoids such as CBD, interact with these receptors to produce various effects. Some research suggests CBD may affect the sleep/wake cycle.
Anxiety and pain both negatively affect sleep quality. Numerous studies demonstrate CBD has the potential to reduce pain and anxiety. By doing so, sleep may improve indirectly.
A 2019 study examined whether a 25mg capsule of CBD per day would improve anxiety and/or sleep. The study involved a total of 72 adults including 47 with anxiety and 25 with poor sleep. Investigators found anxiety decreased in more than 79% and sleep improved in nearly 67% of the respective study subjects within one month.
Final Thoughts
A couple years ago, Consumer Reports surveyed over 4,000 Americans regarding CBD use. More than 25% of those surveyed said they had tried CBD. Approximately 10% of Americans who reported trying CBD said they took it to help them sleep. And the majority of those who took it to sleep, said it worked.
For elite athletes, adequate sleep is essential to perform at the highest levels. Studies suggest poor sleep negatively impacts muscle growth, muscle memory, and reaction time. Current research indicates CBD is a safe, effective, and legal way to help high performance athletes optimize their sleep regimens.
References:
O’Donnell S et al; From pillow to podium: a review on understanding sleep for elite athletes; Nature and Science of Sleep; 2018; 10: 243 – 253.
Davidson J et al; Growth hormone and cortisol secretion in relation to sleep and wakefulness; Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience; 1991 Jul; 16(2): 96 – 102.
Venter R; Role of sleep in performance and recovery of athletes : a review article; South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation; 2012 Jan; 34(1): 167 – 184.
Davenne D; Sleep of athletes – problems and possible solutions; Biological Rhythm Research; 2009; 40(1): 45 – 52.
Taheri M et al; The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Choice Reaction Time and Anaerobic Power of College Student Athletes; Asian Journal of Sports Medicine; 2012 Mar; 3(1): 15 – 20.
Shannon S et al; Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series; The Permanente Journal; 2019; 23: 18 – 41.
Costa B et al; The non-psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an orally effective therapeutic agent in rat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain; European Journal of Pharmacology; 2007 Feb; 556(1-3): 75 – 83.
Takahashi R et al; Pharmacologic Interaction Between Cannabinol and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol; Psychopharmacologia; 1975; 41(3): 277 – 284.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/can-cbd-help-you-sleep/
https://www.consumerreports.org/cbd/cbd-goes-mainstream/
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers of this content should consult their physician or qualified healthcare professional regarding specific health questions, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. CannaGlobe, LLC does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person reading and/or following this informational content.
