CBD for Dancers
CBD: the Next Big Wellness Product for Dancers
Dance is a truly beautiful artform and is something uniquely human. However, there is little denying that it can be hard on the body. Professional dancers practice, rehearse and perform on average 6 to 7 hours a day. If you consider the fact that a single ballet class lasts for an hour and a half, even non-professionals are pushing their bodies quite hard. For professional dance artists, their body is there instrument and their careers and livelihood are dependent on their ability to physically perform the work. Therefore, many dancers search for products that can help alleviate the aches and pains of strenuous activity, products that will help with their recovery and those that address the negative consequences of dance, CBD may be the solution they are seeking.
Cannabidiol, often called CBD, is one of many naturally occurring cannabinoids present in hemp and cannabis. Often sold in oils, edibles, topicals and vapes, CBD is quickly gaining popularity in the wellness community for its many therapeutic benefits, including, relieving muscle and joint pain, helping ease the symptoms of arthritis, lowering anxiety, reducing the frequency of epilepsy and even fighting cancer. While some claims may need further investigation, many dancers throughout America are reporting that CBD has helped extend their careers. Principal Dancer James Moore of the Pacific Northwest Ballet was recently quoted in Dance Magazine, stating that, “…CBD has really helped me. At 37 years old, it’s getting harder to do what I do on a daily basis, but I wake up feeling more refreshed, with my muscles more pliable…I’m less sore over-all, without popping pain relievers containing harsh chemicals.”
What CBD Actually Is
Cannabidiol is 1 of over 100 naturally occurring phyto-cannabinoids found in the hemp and cannabis plant. CBD works synergistically with our bodies endocannabinoid System a biological system composed of “endogenous” or self-produced cannabinoids, receptors in the nervous system and throughout the body that “endo” or “phyto” cannabinoids bond with and the enzymes that help break down these cannabinoids.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol, also called THC, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive. Therefore, it does not get you “high”, or cause the euphoric or sedated feelings commonly associated with cannabis. This makes CBD ideal for use with physical activities such as dance and sports.
Short-Term Effects of CBD
Research backs up the anecdotal evidence that cannabidiol can significantly reduce inflammation associated with strenuous activity and the pain from injury. For dancers, this is a significant benefit. Extended practice and performance is incredibly hard on one's body. Traditionally, dancers have relied on Advil, Aleve and other drugs to manage the subsequent inflammation and pain, but serious side-effects can be the result of over-reliance on these drugs. CBD offers a natural method of recovery and pain management without the harsh side-effects.
For dancers with performance anxiety, CBD is also reported to help calm the nervous system. This helps to reduce some of the more extreme emotions associated with anxiety. Therefore, some performers find it helpful to use CBD drops for managing nervousness and jitters on stage.
It is important to note that research into CBD and its effects is relatively new. While research and individual's anecdotal experiences all indicate that these benefits are real and the result of CBD use, there is still a lot to learn. Fortunately, as cannabis, and CDB specifically, become more accepted, we will only learn more about its effects.
Long-Term Effects of CBD
Not surprisingly, the short-term benefits of CBD, can lead to long-term health benefits with consistent use. Since the endocannabinoid system is crucial for “homeo-stasis” or your body’s efforts to function optimally, it requires a steady diet of cannabinoids to properly carry out this role. Research on debilitating diseases such as arthritis shows a lot of promise for short-term and long-term benefit, suggesting that the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis can be inhibited by CBD use and may even interrupt the progression of the condition. This is significant for dancers, because arthritis, if left unchecked can be a career-ending condition for dancers.
Of course, these benefits are still being studied. Furthermore, it is very important to note that CBD should be incorporated as part of a broader wellness regimen. Proper nutrition, rest, cross training, stretching and other wellness techniques like massage are necessary to a dancers overall health and wellness and should be utilized.
Using CBD
Cannabidiol can be used in a variety of methods. It can be applied topically as a cream to help with localized pain. Additionally, CBD can be ingested sub-lingually or under the tongue, inhaled with a vaporizer or mixed into food. All of these ingestion methods have different effects, so consider consulting a doctor to determine which is best for your needs. Learn more about the different CBD wellness products here.
Legality
Despite the many reported benefits of CBD, the federal government, states and cities have different laws regarding the purchase and consumption of CBD. Check your local laws and note that there is a distinction between CBD from Cannabis and CBD derived from Hemp. Cannabis is still a Schedule 1 drug and therefore federally illegal. All cannabis derived CBD products can only be sold out of licensed dispensaries. While Hemp is now legal to grow and extract in all 50 States, as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent THC and can be sold much more freely. Big box retailers like Neiman Marcus, Sephora and CVS are all carrying Hemp derived CBD products.
Learn More
CBD shows a lot of promise for improving the health and wellness of professional dancers, aspiring dancers and other active groups. Learn more by contacting Fire Leaf Extracts. We are happy to help you explore the benefits of CBD for a holistic approach to pain management and overall wellness.
