If you're like us you've probably wondered "Can Delta 8 enhance your exercise routine?" or "Does Delta 8 help build muscle?" These are great questions because when you think about sports and fitness you probably don’t think much about Delta 8 or Delta 9 THC. But why is that? It’s not entirely uncommon to hear about professional athletes getting benched for testing positive for THC.
Regardless of that, many people argue that traditional cannabis is not a performance enhancing drug. The good news is, for those of us who aren’t professional level athletes and are not subjected to drug testing and a banned substances list, Delta 8 does show promise in enhancing your workouts and aid in speeding up your recovery.
This means that anyone from athletes, bodybuilders, gym rats, to even those just starting their fitness journey for the first time may benefit from taking advantage of the benefits that can be found in the hemp plant. As it turns out, Delta 8 use can actually fast track muscle recovery and athletic performance more than you'd think.
To fully understand how Delta 8 can help with recovery let’s first begin by exploring how muscle recovery happens in the first place. From there we can take a look at what benefits Delta 8 can have on impacting the recovery process.
Why is Muscle Recovery Important to Building Muscle?
Recovery is a very important and key component when trying to build muscle or just living an active lifestyle. Trust us, we have a combined 25+ years in the fitness industry and we have spent a lot of time helping others reach their fitness goals. As personal trainers and bodybuilding competitors we know that those who focus and prioritize sleep and recovery have far better result than those who overlook it.
We really should ditch the “no days off” mentality, in reality we need days off from physical activity. If you are a hardcore gym goer, athlete, or fitness enthusiast, then you need to realize that rest plays a vital role in post workout recovery and growing your muscles.
The process of building muscle begins by breaking down muscle fibers. This happens when you are physically active or when you are working out at the gym. It really is that simple. You heard that right, your muscles are not growing in the gym, they are being broken down, it's when you rest that they have the opportunity to grow. Now, that is only the first step of the equation, the final step in the muscle building process truly is the hardest.
Since our workouts or physical activity takes up the smallest portion of time in the muscle building process the largest majority of time is dedicated to recovery. What happens outside of the gym or off the field is where the magic happens. All of those small tears you made in your muscle fibers must be repaired in order to rebuild and grow. Your success in this process is reliant on quite a few factors. Starting off with; getting proper nutrition (fuel), prioritizing sleep, minimizing stress, and allowing yourself to fully rest before repeating the process.
In a perfect world we would do all of those things but as it turns out most of us cannot or don’t wish to dedicate 24 hours a day to building muscle. That doesn’t mean you can’t expect to see results. Like anything though, the more you put into something, the more you can expect to get out of it. The same is true with building muscle and recovery.
If you are looking to take your recovery to the next level, keep reading and you'll see why Delta 8 can be a great addition to enhance your rest day and recovery regimen.
What is Delta 8?
Now that we’ve looked at what goes into building muscle, let’s see how Delta 8 can play a role. For those of you who may be new to Delta 8, let’s first start with what Delta 8 is.
Delta 8 is a minor cannabinoid derived from hemp plants that has been getting a lot of attention because of the effects it gives, Delta 8 is a natural compound and is very similar to CBD and Delta 9 (regular THC you are often familiar with). The key difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9 is the location of the double bond.
Delta 8 THC differs from CBD in the fact that it does produce psychoactive effects, yet to a milder degree than Delta 9 THC. This means that the high Delta 8 gives is far less potent and because of that you can expect to avoid the negatives often associated with Delta 9, such as paranoia and anxiousness.
Using Delta 8 is also likely to have a lesser effect on your response time and cognition. Like Delta 9 and CBD, Delta 8 interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) – specifically the CB1 receptors of the nervous system – to bring on its psychoactive effects. Delta 8's ability to also interact with the CB2 receptors are what allows it to offer its potential therapeutic effects, often associated with being an anti-inflammatory, aiding in pain relief, produce calming effects, and induce relaxation.
Despite the difference in the natural quantities of Delta 8 and Delta 9 in cannabis plants, when concentrated, they interact with the nervous system similarly.
Does Delta 8 Help with Recovery?
There are quite a few benefits you may notice from adding Delta 8 to your workout routine including reduced anxiety, stimulates appetite (which if you’re trying to bulk, can be very helpful), potential to increase metabolism, elevate and boost your mood, and since Delta 8 may act as an anti-inflammatory, you may see less inflammation. All of these benefits really do make Delta 8 products a great addition to anyone's health and fitness routine.
How Does Delta 8 Aid in Recovery?
Since the less potent psychoactive effects of using Delta 8 are known to help users relax and unwind, this may aid in recovery and allow you to fully optimize each rest day. Being able to relax and let your muscle start to repair will not only help build your muscles but help them recover faster. Faster recovery times means less soreness and less soreness will help keep you fresh for the gym.
Does Delta 8 Boost Metabolism?
Some users experience an increased appetite while using delta 8. If you are someone who doesn't have much of an appetite or have a hard time getting in all of your meals throughout the day, then this will be a welcomed benefit. Of course, it will depend on the amount you take and the way you consume it, but Delta 8 is definitely known to increase your appetite. The CB1 receptor helps regulate sleep, appetite, pain, metabolism, and anxiety.
Will Delta 8 Help Reduce Inflammation?
One of the earliest stages of recovery is inflammation. Delta 8 may help with inflammation in muscle tissue. Our body responds to pain by signals sent by our central nervous system and endocannabinoid receptors located throughout our body. This interaction with the endocannabinoid system helps reduce pain and inflammation by stopping the signals from getting sent to your brain in the first place.
Can You Take Delta 8 Before Your Workout?
Another great way that Delta 8 can enhance your workout routine is by taking it before your workout. As many people know, THC tends to enhance almost any experience. The same can be said about Delta 8 THC and athletic performance during physical activity or during a workout.
Taking Delta 8 before a workout can often boost your mood and increase your focus. This dosing method can help get you in the right state of mind, giving you a powerful edge that you wouldn’t otherwise have. The next time you are struggling to get in the mood to get yourself to the gym, try some Delta 8, it may give you the umph and mental clarity you were lacking to jumpstart your motivation and help keep you in the zone once you are there.
Keep in mind that Delta 8 isn’t going to transform you into the hulk in the gym or an overnight professional athlete but that it really can benefit anyone. You don’t have to be a serious gym goer or fitness competitor to benefit from it. Anyone can take advantage of its ability to elevate mood and benefit from the energetic effects that it gives. Some users report that their workouts go by easier and even seem to go by faster.
Just remember that everyone is different, and it will take some experimentation on your end to see if it’s right for you. You never know, you may have just found your new favorite pre-workout.
What is the Best Way to Take Delta 8 for Muscle Recovery?
Like mentioned above there is no “Best” way to take Delta 8. That dosing method you use really is up to you. Some will prefer taking it as a pre workout for the focus and mood boosting properties while others will reserve their Delta 8 use for their pain relief and recovery strategy. There is no wrong way to do it. Give it a try and find out for yourself.
You should, consult a physician before using Delta 8 or any other hemp derived cannabinoids. This is especially true if you have a medical condition or use prescription medications.
How Much Delta 8 Should You Take?
No matter when or how you decide to incorporate Delta 8 into your training regimen, it is best to start out with a very small amount and assess your tolerance and experience before taking more, especially if it's you first-time trying Delta 8 THC.
You can always increase your dosage the next time, but you cannot undo taking too much. Just in case you end up taking too much, here are some helpful tips if you find yourself needing to get "unhigh".
Pro tip: Give that article a read now, just in case it happens to you. The last thing you want to do is to be searching for and reading an article after you’ve already overdone it.
Conclusion: Can Delta 8 Help with Muscle Recovery?
Yes, Delta 8 can assist anyone in a number of ways with your fitness goals to include assisting in recovery. Whether that is to stay fit and healthy or if it is to win your next Jiu Jitsu or bodybuilding competition. It is important to consider the length of time your Delta 8 will take to kick in, how much you should be taking, and ways to stay safe when under the influence of THC.
Where Can You Buy Delta 8- THC For Workouts?
You can find a large selection of top tier Delta 8 products and brands right here at Everyday Delta. You can buy Delta 8 online and have it shipped right to your door. We offer everything from Delta 8 and Delta 9 gummies and edibles to vapes and pre-rolls.
All products that we carry are federally legal and Farm Bill compliant containing less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. We also are committed to only offering products that have been third party lab tested for safety, purity, and potency.
If you aren't quite sure which products to start with, shoot us an email or give us a call. We are fitness enthusiasts ourselves would love to help introduce you to hemp products.