Should You Use CBD Pre-Workout?

What’s in your pre-workout? Probably not CBD…yet.

Turns out, a handful of gym-goers and at-home fitness enthusiasts are turning to some form of CBD for all sorts of reasons: to support muscle recovery, delayed onset muscle soreness, and general post-workout recovery.

CBD pre-workout supplements are pretty rare. Before the market taps into this unique option, it might be worth considering if the average CBD product has what it takes to boost performance, reduce inflammation, and support overall health.

But what does science say? Keep reading to find out whether CBD deserves a spot in your pre-workout routine.

CBD pre-workout is a CBD (cannabidiol) product that can be taken before exercise. CBD won’t get you high like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) would, but could offer different benefits for your fitness goals.

While CBD pre-workout in powdered form (similar to regular pre-workout) is most common, there are several delivery methods one could use to take CBD before working out.

These include:

• Tinctures (CBD oil drops taken sublingually)
• Capsules for precise dosing
• Gummies with pre-measured amounts
• Topicals applied directly to muscles

Many CBD users specifically take their product one hour before hitting the gym, whether that’s as an alternative to traditional pre-workout supplements or taken in combination with one. Make sure to read the ingredients of your pre-workout to ensure it’s safe to combine with CBD.

CBD is widely recognized for its various potential health benefits, including those related to fitness and recovery.

Like other cannabinoids, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which may help:

• Support better sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Alleviate chronic pain
• Act as a natural anti-inflammatory

For athletes (and those comfortable exploring with alternative options), CBD is kind of a no-brainer. It’s definitely a more holistic approach to wellness, but one that doesn’t have a long list of negative side effects and is legal under federal law.

While CBD is a more natural way to achieve wellness, it’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider if you’re taking any medications. Research and studies suggest that CBD might have potential drug interactions to be aware of.

When it comes to athletic performance, CBD works differently than traditional stimulant-based pre-workouts. It doesn’t provide that immediate energy boost like pre-workouts with caffeine typically do.

CBD doesn’t act as a stimulant like caffeine or beta-alanine, which are common in many pre-workout supplements. But many users report longer-lasting energy during their workouts and quicker recovery when using CBD consistently in their routines. This may be due to its potential to:

• Reduce anxiety and improve focus
• Improve sleep quality, leading to better physical recovery
• Minimize joint stiffness and support mobility

You can think of CBD pre-workout as best for endurance and stamina, while traditional pre-workouts might boost energy immediately.

CBD may have an impact on individual motivation. A 2018 review published in the Annual Review of Neuroscience highlights CBD’s potential therapeutic effects for motivational disorders, including substance addiction and depressive symptoms. CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors like THC does. Instead, it interacts with a variety of other receptors that may help regulate mood and emotional processing.

In the context of fitness, this mood-stabilizing effect could help improve focus, reduce performance anxiety, and potentially support mental clarity. That can translate to enhanced focus during workouts, helping you stay present and committed during tough training sessions.

It’s worth noting that effects vary from person to person. A lower dose might support focus, while higher amounts could have relaxing properties better suited for post-workout recovery rather than pre-workout motivation.

Your usual pre-workout supplements often contain:

• Amino acids for performance
• Caffeine for immediate energy
• Beta-alanine for muscular endurance
• Some artificial ingredients and stimulants

Pre-workout with CBD has a different approach:

• Natural anti-inflammatory properties
• No stimulant-related side effects
• Support for long-term recovery
• Potential anxiety reduction

Your choice? That depends on your goals. It’s important to note that ingredients in CBD products differ greatly. It’s always best to choose a full-spectrum or pure CBD product when starting to incorporate CBD into your workouts.

Endurance athletes like runners can benefit from a CBD pre-workout routine. Why? CBD is known to alleviate many of the unique “hurdles” runners face:

• Mental fatigue during long distances
• Joint stress from repetitive impact
• Inflammation management
• Prolonged recovery

CBD oil or topicals applied before a run may help with joint stiffness, while CBD taken regularly might help with the delayed onset muscle soreness that runners frequently experience.

From average gym-goers to professional athletes, many active individuals may benefit from trying CBD for post-workout recovery. CBD’s natural anti-inflammatory properties may help with:

• Reducing muscle soreness
• Improving sleep quality when recovery happens
• Addressing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• Supporting faster recovery between training sessions

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a CBD product for your pre-workout routine:

1. Quality and source of CBD
2. Concentration and dosage
3. Additional ingredients
4. Third-party testing
5. Form and convenience

Our current favorite pick is the Full Spectrum Anytime CBD Gummies by Sunmed. These hemp plant gummies are super convenient, packed with 25mg of full-spectrum hemp-derived cannabinoids per piece.

That full-spectrum extract delivers the entourage effect, which is especially beneficial for athletes’ pre- and post-workout routines. The light watermelon flavor goes down easily—it pairs perfectly with your morning smoothie.

But for all the benefits, we recommend biting into one of these Sunmed gummies about an hour prior to working out.

It’s generally safe to combine CBD products with pre-workout, but THC is another story. Since THC tends to be more relaxing than CBD, it might counteract the effects of caffeine or stimulant-based pre-workout supplements.

There aren’t many side effects when it comes to using CBD pre-workout products. At higher doses, you can expect possible mild effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, and temporary changes in appetite. But nothing drastic like what THC can cause. Still, start with a lower dose and gradually increase it for your next session.

No, CBD doesn’t make your heart race like THC. One study suggests that CBD does not cause heart racing or palpitations and has no significant effect on resting heart rate or blood pressure.

CBD itself won’t cause significant dehydration, but you might feel a bit of dry mouth about an hour after taking CBD. It’s simply a natural side effect that comes with most hemp and cannabis products. Keep sipping water throughout your session to easily combat it.