Will CBD Work as a Muscle Relaxant?

Following a fitness routine is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, sometimes staying active means getting sore, or worse, getting injured. While pain and injuries are never fun, they are something that should be taken seriously. If you’ve experienced an injury from overexerting yourself, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to ease the pain. You’ve probably heard of muscle relaxants and are wondering if that’s something that might be able to help your situation. But have you considered using CBD as a muscle relaxant? In this article, we’re going to dig a little deeper into:

• What muscle relaxants are and why we use them
• CBD as a muscle relaxer
• When and how you would use CBD as a muscle relaxant

What is a Muscle Relaxant and Why Would You Use One?

Using muscle relaxants for pain

Muscle relaxants are typically used to treat pain and to help soothe muscle spasms. They provide pain relief since they work to cut the problematic muscle off from sending pain signals to the brain. These are a little different than painkillers which use the central nervous system to block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Muscle relaxants provide relief at the source of the issue, and some of the most common types are Valium, Soma, and Flexeril. 

You would want to use muscle relaxants if you’ve had damage to the spinal cord, have a condition such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, or are suffering from temporary muscle strains or tears. You can also develop muscle tension from stress and fatigue. All of these situations can come with possible involuntary muscle spasms and pain, which is what muscle relaxants are designed to soothe. 

Recently, people have been looking for alternative options to traditional muscle relaxants due to their high propensity for addiction and inconvenient side effects such as:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Agitation
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Decreased blood pressure

This is especially true for those simply looking for an easy way to soothe their sore or painful muscles after an intense workout. Most muscle relaxants also require a prescription, so finding a more convenient way to soothe muscles without a trip to the doctor would also be incredibly helpful. So what other options are out there to calm muscles and pain and reduce inflammation? 

Can CBD Be Used as a Muscle Relaxant?

Is there a way to get the benefits of a muscle relaxant from CBD?

Whether you’re in need of a muscle relaxant due to intense muscle strain or overworking yourself, there are other options besides traditional muscle relaxants. CBD is known to work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to provide anti-inflammatory relief to muscles, joints, skin, and almost anywhere else there might be inflammation. This is due to the fact that the receptors that CBD specifically works with are found throughout the body. This is also why CBD is known to have analgesic qualities as well, making it a great option if it’s relief from muscle pain you’re seeking. 

CBD can assist as a muscle relaxant because it can naturally work with the body to soothe the muscle and help with pain associated with muscle recovery. CBD gets to work directly at the site of the muscle to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Because overexertion causes tears in the muscles, these tears must be repaired. When our muscles are recovering, we feel the pain, which at times can be uncomfortable. Using CBD may help reduce this pain and calm the inflammation in the muscles so you can heal and get back to living your life. No one wants to be stuck with sore muscles any more than they want to deal with muscle spasms. Using CBD as a more natural way to relax muscles might be the right decision for you. 

When Would You Use CBD as a Muscle Relaxant?

Appropriate times to use CBD as a muscle relaxant

As we mentioned earlier, if you find yourself in need of a muscle relaxant, it might be due to pain you’re feeling as a result of overexertion, an injury, or stress. If you’d like to use CBD in this capacity, consider using it before you expect to have an intense workout session as well as afterwards. Going into a session with less soreness can help you make the most of your fitness time, and allow you to continue your routine without interruption. Since we don’t feel our muscle pain until after the activity or injury, it’s also important to include your CBD muscle relaxant afterwards, so that it can get to work reducing inflammation and helping to lessen any pain. 

Since muscle pain can also be a result of stress, consider incorporating CBD into your daily routine to help decrease stress levels. You can also use it as needed if you have a particular place where you get muscle spasms and are in need of a soothing way to relax it.

How Do You Use CBD as a Muscle Relaxant?

Ways to incorporate CBD as a muscle relaxant

You can use CBD in a wide variety of ways as a muscle relaxant. If you want to apply CBD right to the muscle that’s sore, consider getting a topical like a balm, lotion, oil, or salve. Topicals infused with CBD are designed to be applied directly to the muscle, and are typically formulated with other muscle soothing ingredients. A balm like Seventh Sense’s Intensive Muscle Balm draws on the strength of 1,000mg of hemp-derived CBD as well as the cooling and calming effects of arnica, methol, and wintergreen essential oils. Simply apply a layer where you need it most and allow the balm to be absorbed through the skin. If you’re not getting the relief you need, just reapply. You’re sure to enjoy the soothing eucalyptus spearmint fragrance as the balm goes to work. Topicals such as these are easily applied before and after intense sessions, and are a convenient way to stay ahead of the pain that can come as a result.

You can also get CBD to your muscles orally, with drops, edibles, and capsules. Drops will enter the bloodstream quickly, since they are applied sublingually. However, edibles and capsules will need to first be digested before they can be absorbed, but their effects may be felt for a longer period of time afterwards.  

Are There Side Effects to Using CBD as a Muscle Relaxant?

CBD as a muscle relaxant is safe to use

When you’re looking for relief from sore muscles and muscle spasms that can come with an active lifestyle, choosing CBD could be a good idea. CBD is safe and it works with your body to help soothe inflammation and reduce tension in the muscles so you can recover and get back to normal. Some people choose to make CBD a part of their daily routine (like a multivitamin) while others use it only when they need it. It’s up to you!

CBD might be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a muscle relaxant that does not come with all the side effects. There are a variety of ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle, so whether you choose an edible, balm, or drops, you can be sure you’re making a positive decision regarding your health.