CBD and competitive sports (part 2): Experiences of an extreme athlete

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For more basic knowledge on the topic of “CBD and competitive sports”, we recommend reading the 1st part of our series on CBD in sports: CBD and competitive sports (Part1): What’s behind it?

We at Herba di Berna wanted to generate our own empirical values for the topic of CBD and sports, which is why we approached the aspiring trail runner Michael.

He tested a Broad Spectrum oil for us for several months during his training phase and now tells us about his experience.

Interview with Michael: Experiences from competitive sports

Dear Michael, thank you for supporting this experiment and daring to try it yourself.
You are very conscious of sensible consumption, especially because your athletic performance is at stake. Is this how you also came across CBD oil as a natural doping?

For me, meaningful consumption is very central. Not only in terms of athletic performance, but also for the environment and animals. For this reason, I have been eating a vegan diet for years and always keep my eyes open for ways to maximize my performance without harming fellow humans, animals or nature. This interest has also made me aware of CBD products.

What was your expectation or hope with taking CBD oil?

I hoped that I would be able to recover even better and thus be fresher for the upcoming units. In addition, I had the idea that the CBD oil may even have a preventive effect against minor injuries. In many cases, overuse injuries start with a small inflammation that intensifies with further stress. Avoiding these small inflammations with the consumption of CBD oil and the necessary rest would obviously be a big plus.

You have been taking Broad Spectrum CBD oil for us for over three months. What has made itself felt?

I have already felt various positive effects in the relatively short time.
During a training volume increase, for example, from 90 running kilometers one week to 100 running kilometers the next, I often felt the periosteum on my shin a bit, this was not the case during the CBD drop experiment.
In addition, I was able to focus even better during the more monotonous workouts, such as weight training, as long as I took 3-4 drops immediately before the workout. Quite apart from the positive effects on training, I really like the taste of the drops, whether in coffee, muesli or pure.

Only those who are well rested can also perform well

Michael, trail runner

What would you say, did the CBD oil have more of a positive impact on your performance or your recovery? Or even both?

Both. It is certainly primarily regenerative as it has an anti-inflammatory and calming effect. Due to the good recovery and because the oil, at least in my case, had increased the focus on the essentials, the CBD drops certainly increased the performance.
Only those who are well rested can also perform well.

Would you recommend Broad Spectrum CBD oil to other exercisers or competitive athletes:inside?

Yes, after this experiment I definitely recommend CBD oil. I also recommend the drops to people who are perhaps not so active in sports, because the increase in focus has already impressed me quite a bit.

Are you also a movement person or athlete:in and would like to share an experience with the same interview questions? We allocate some 6% Broadsprectrum CBD oils for it. Get in touch via email: info@herbadiberna.ch

CBD and competitive sports (part 1): What’s behind it?

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This is the 1st post in our two-part series on CBD and competitive sports. In the second part, we asked trail runner Michael about his experiences: CBD and competitive sports: Experiences of an extreme athlete.

CBD oil is on everyone’s lips and is used as a “miracle cure” for almost any ailment.

And what about sports? There, too, it is increasingly used as a natural doping. It helps many athletes recover, but has also led to the suspension of top athletes.

Amateur athletes, top athletes and also ambitious hobby athletes already take CBD.

What many do not know: The body has its own endogenous cannabinoid system, [1] thus produces its own cannabinoid. This system is involved in brain development, motor control, immunological regulation, and pain perception, among others.

Competitive sport on the bike
Enduringly active in competitive sports

CBD as an anti-inflammatory

CBD oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help speed up the healing process and even have a preventive effect – in fact, the anti-inflammatory properties act like cell protection.

Helpful against sore muscles

Muscle soreness is actually tiny, harmless muscle fiber tears. The muscle fiber tears also inflammation. Therefore, CBD has a healing effect here as well.

Against performance pressure and for better sleep

In addition, CBD oil can improve sleep quality and lower stress levels, both of which are important for athletes who need to perform at peak levels.

Be on the safe side

For athletes looking for an edge over the competition, or looking for a natural way to improve health, CBD oil might be worth considering. It’s best to talk to your doctor about whether CBD is right for you. It is important to use a broad spectrum, THC-free oil. Then you also have no problems with possible doping controls in professional sports, because CBD products are already for years no longer on the list of banned substances.

CBD oil in sports

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Velofahrer beim Sport in den Bergen

CBD oil is a dietary supplement derived from hemp plants and for some time has been increasingly used in sports. Many athletes use it as a supplement to improve their performance and recover faster. What do you need to know?

What is CBD oil and how does it work?

CBD oil is extracted from hemp plants and contains cannabidiol, a chemical compound that can affect various processes in the body. It has no psychoactive effect and does not make you high. CBD oil can calm the body and mind and is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties. [1] It can also help regulate sleep and appetite.

More focus thanks to CBD oil - in the office or during sports
More focus thanks to CBD oil – in the office or during sports

How can CBD oil enhance performance in sports?

CBD oil can enhance athletic performance in several ways. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is especially important if you exercise regularly and may experience muscle pain or inflammation. In addition, CBD oil can also reduce the stress that often accompanies exercise by regulating mood and promoting relaxation. This can help keep you focused on training or competing.

How can CBD oil help with recovery?

After training or competition, the body needs time to recover. CBD oil can help by reducing inflammation in the body and supporting muscle regeneration. It can also help regulate sleep, which is important for a quick recovery. In addition, CBD oil can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn can aid in recovery.

How to dose CBD oil for sports?

The dosage of CBD oil for athletes depends on various factors, such as body size, weight, training load and the desired effect. It is recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to see how the body responds.

Conclusion

CBD oil can be an effective dietary supplement for athletes to enhance their athletic performance and improve their recovery. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-anxiety properties and can calm and relax the body and mind. CBD is an interesting player in the world of sports nutrition and can be an alternative to traditional supplements. It can reduce inflammation, regulate mood and promote recovery, which is of great importance for athletes.

CBD oil: what it is and what it is used for

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CBD oil has become increasingly popular in recent years and has become a major topic in the health industry. It is extracted from the leaves and stems of the hemp plant and contains a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound with promising health benefits. In this blog post, we will discuss everything important about CBD oil, from its production to its potential health benefits.

Production

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from hemp plants. There are several methods for extracting CBD, but the safest and most effective method is CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction ensures that the oil is pure and free of contaminants. After extraction, the oil is mixed with a carrier oil, such as hemp oil or coconut oil, to make it easier to administer.

Why is CBD oil used?

Many consumers report a positive effect of CBD oil on their health. Relaxation in a stressful everyday life is one of the most common reasons for taking hemp oil. There are also numerous reports of effective pain reduction or better sleep after taking CBD drops.
However, the study situation on efficacy is still very thin at present.

How is CBD oil used?

Hemp oil can be taken in several ways, including orally in capsule form or as drops under the tongue. It can also be applied to the skin to relieve inflammation and pain.

CBD oil dosage

It is important to note that each person may react differently to CBD. Before you start, it’s best to read our blog post on proper dosage. If you are looking for a specific medical use, or if you take medication regularly, it is best to talk to a doctor or expert.

Overall, it can be said that CBD oil can be a promising alternative to traditional medications. However, it is important to conduct further research to confirm its full effects and safety.

Denatured hemp oils – What’s next?

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The impending introduction of mandatory denaturation for hemp oils poses major problems for the cannabis industry. In the last post we described the problem in more detail and also mentioned some suggested solutions.
Now it is also clear how Herba di Berna will continue with CBD hemp oils.

CBD oils as cosmetics instead of chemicals

First things first: no, we will not sell denatured hemp oils. In the future, the oils will be able to be sold as cosmetic products. However, we would much rather have a sensibly regulated CBD market.

What will change for customers?

Something will change for our customers in that we will no longer be able to offer our strongest hemp oils (30%, 35% and 40% CBD content) after September 2022. To produce an oil with such a high CBD content, the extraction process exceeds the THC limit for cosmetics. Even if this concerns only the raw extract and not the finished product, such production would be against the law.
Solutions to this problem already exist, but implementing them will take even more time than the six months our producer had between the announcement of the denaturing requirement in April and its implementation in October.

The advantage More sustainable oils

However, we do not only have bad news, but something is changing for the better: In cooperation with“Swissextract“, an organic certified company, we will produce our oils up to 24% CBD content only with organically grown sunflower oil as a carrier. As a result, we are no longer dependent on imported coconut oil and can thus produce our oils exclusively from ingredients grown and processed locally in Switzerland.

We are glad that we have found such a good solution to be able to offer high quality organic hemp oils also in the future.

Denatured hemp oils: traders under pressure

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Hemp oils with CBD are an important mainstay for Herba di Berna AG as well as for many other CBD companies. In April of this year, this market was put before the end of the line in a seemingly arbitrary order from the federal government: since CBD oils have not yet been approved as food, they will have to be denatured starting in October. Additives must therefore be mixed in to make the oil inedible.

How the hemp industry deals with this latest attack from the authorities was described in a detailed article in the Landbote. As a member of the board and responsible for SMEs at IG Hemp, our CEO Philippe Wietlisbach explains which short-term solutions will allow the industry to continue and how the sale of hemp oils could be facilitated in the medium term.

Dosage calculator for CBD oils

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The correct dosage of CBD oil is quite an elaborate thing. Finding the right dosage for your own use is one thing. Converting the whole thing into drops the other. How to determine your personal oil dosage is described in detail in our post about CBD oil dosage. Further, dailycbd.com ‘s blog offers excellent content on CBD, including how to dose oils.

If you now have a “strength” at hand and are only faced with the question of how many drops of oil that is now, our calculator will help.

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The body weight must be specified, as CBD dosage is usually given in a certain number of milligrams per kilo of body weight. This is the case because body weight is an easy factor to consider for the varying potency of CBD. For the same effect, a heavier body needs more CBD than a lighter one.

For the strength of the dosage, one of the three levels “Low”, “Medium” and “High” can be selected via the quick selection. A “low” dosage corresponds to 1 mg of CBD per 4.5 kg of body weight, a “medium” 3 mg, and a “high” 6 mg. The unit of “1 milligram of CBD per 4.5 kilograms of body weight” was created by converting from American units of measurement. Finding out which dosage fits is difficult. Basically: Always (yes, really always!) start with a low dose and increase later! This avoids unpleasant side effects. Help can be found as already mentioned in our detailed article on the dosage of CBD oils.
If you already have an exact value for the desired dose, or if you want to adjust the dosage slightly, you can open a slider by clicking on the … button next to the three dosage levels to select the exact dosage.

Last but not least, it is necessary to choose the product used, since the different oils have different levels of concentration. You can choose from all the oils in our range. From the given data, the number of drops needed for the dose is determined.

CBD for dogs

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CBD products are becoming increasingly popular. Dogs and cats are fed with hemp extracts worldwide. Many owners enjoy the positive effect on the well-being of their pets and praise the use of CBD products. This blog article gives the most important information in the use of CBD for dogs, cats and other pets.

How does the CBD get into the dog?

First comes the practical question of how the CBD will get into the dog’s body. There are several ways to do this. If it is accepted by the dog, the CBD in the form of oil can be administered directly e.g. with a pipette. Another option is to mix the cannabidiol – again in the form of oil – into the feed. This application seems to be one of the most practical, but it contradicts the relatively widespread recommendation to administer the oil about 2h before eating. A possible solution: provide only a very small amount of food with the CBD oil and administer this 2h before the main meal.
Topical application (i.e., application to the skin) does not seem to have much effect on the general condition of the pet, according to current knowledge.[1] Presumably, the active ingredients are not able to penetrate the skin well enough. But this does not mean that an ointment does not have a local effect, for example, on irritated skin.

The optimal dose

As with the use of CBD oils in humans, the question of dosage also arises in dogs. First, an important note: We are not allowed to give dosage recommendations for legal reasons. Nevertheless, we want to inform you with as good as possible, so that you can use the potential of the hemp plant also for your four-legged darlings. Most important rule: Always use an oil of max. Use 10% CBD concentration.
Since every (dog’s) body reacts differently to CBD, it’s best to determine the optimal dose for your dog yourself. The following applies: Always (!) start with a low dosage first and increase it as needed. This reliably prevents side effects. If side effects do occur, or if your dog is on regular medication, you should contact your veterinarian.

If you want to choose an oil for your dog, you need to make sure that this oil does not contain THC, as it is harmful for pets. Further you should use an oil of max. Select 10% CBD concentration, otherwise dosing becomes difficult. Once you have selected a product, you can start with “gradual dosing”: in the beginning, dose the oil low (e.g. 1 mg CBD per kg body weight). Always observe well whether an effect occurs or whether side effects occur. Based on these observations, after a habituation period of a few days, you can increase the dose slightly if necessary until the desired effect is achieved.

Excuse me?! Side effects?

So far, this article has talked several times about side effects and desired effect. What is actually meant there? Possible side effects that may occur include: diarrhea/digestive disorders, fatigue, sluggishness/drowsiness, or even a stimulated appetite. Since there should be no THC in CBD oil for animals anyway, animals do not get high.
It is difficult to make statements about the effect. As in humans, the study situation is still too thin. However, testimonials[2] indicate that CBD helps well against pain or sleep problems of the quadruped. Anxiety and stress also appear to be reduced by administration of CBD.
Further, there is a study that demonstrated successful use of CBD (in addition to conventional treatments) against epilepsy.[3]

Pet products in our store: https://www.herbadiberna.ch/cbd-oel-haustiere/

Articles on the subject:
CBD oils for the dog and the correct dosage (cbdoele.org)
Treating your dog with CBD (healthline.com)

Sources:
– [1]: Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in healthy dogs (Colorado State University).
– 2]: Consumer perception of hemp products for animals (ibid.).
– [3]: Clinical study on the antieptileptic effect of CBD (Mc Grath et al.).

Full spectrum CBD oil vs. CBD isolate

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In the (growing) range of CBD products, there are two terms that come up often: Full-Spectrum and Isolate. Both are hemp extracts: Since only the active ingredients are included, but not the plant fibers and cell structures, they can be taken as a whole. However, the differences between the two products are significant. This article explains these differences, and aims to show why Herba di Berna offers CBD isolates, but only relies on full-spectrum for its oil range.

The ingredients of isolates and full-spectrum extracts differ greatly. While isolate – as the name suggests – contains only CBD, a full-spectrum product is composed of many different cannabinoids, terpenes and other substances. This creates a holistic product with great effectiveness. Due to the entourage effect, the effect is much stronger and more balanced than is the case with an isolate.

The entourage effect is also known as the “plant synergy”. The combination of the substances contained is shown in a synergistic, i.e. mutually reinforcing, manner. The result is an effectiveness that cannot be compared to that of a single substance. A vivid example of such synergetic effects is an orchestra in which all instruments together create a sound world far beyond the capabilities of any single instrument. The same happens with the cannabinoids, terpenes and other phytochemical(phyto = plant) substances of the hemp plant.
Since this effect cannot occur in an isolate product, it can be said that full spectrum products are generally more effective than isolates.

If full-spectrum products are more effective, why are so many isolate products offered anyway? Of course, isolates also have their advantages. For example, it is much easier to accurately state and maintain the CBD content of a product, and isolate products are generally less expensive than full-spectrum extracts. Furthermore, isolates definitely do not contain THC. There are situations in which this is desirable – even though the THC content in full-spectrum oils is by no means high enough to trigger a psychoactive reaction. Since all terpenes (flavors) have been removed, isolates also do not have the typical hemp smell.

Based on these differences, it can be said that full-spectrum oils, for example, are the drug of choice when the application is for medical reasons. In general, full spectrum extracts represent a holistic product with a balanced effect. Therefore, it is clear to us that we only sell oils that cover the entire spectrum of the hemp plant – even if we have to make regular control analyses of the CBD content for this. However, if the goal is to mix CBD with other products in precise doses, or if there is zero tolerance to THC, isolates are definitely an option. Further, the question “isolate or full spectrum?” is also simply a question of budget.

Sources:
– Daily-CBD: “Full-spectrum CBD oil vs. CBD isolate: what’s the difference?”
– Daily-CBD:“What is the Entourage Efffect?
– Hemp Health:“CBD Oil: Full Spectrum vs. Isolate

Proper dosage of CBD oils

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To achieve the desired effect when using CBD oils, they must be dosed differently from person to person. All react differently to the active ingredients and factors such as body weight fundamentally influence the effect. So there is no way around determining the perfect dosage for personal use yourself. The endocannabinoid system of the body needs a certain time until the receptors are (re)activated. Accordingly, it is recommended to start slowly and begin with a low dose. It has been proven to accustom the organism to cannabinoids.

The first step is to answer the question of what the oil is taken for in the first place. It depends on whether a low, medium or high dosage is basically sought. Guide values for the various uses can be found in the table below. These guideline values correspond to our empirical values, which we would like to share with you. However, we are not allowed to give specific dosage recommendations.
The guideline for a low dosage is 1 milligram of CBD per 4.5 kilograms of body weight. Medium strength corresponds to 3 mg and high to 6 mg per 4.5 kg of body weight. These numbers refer to the amount of CBD, not the amount of oil. More about that later.

Treated conditionDosage
Improvement of the general healthDeep
NauseaLow to medium
PMSLow to medium
OsteoarthritisMedium
ArthritisMedium
Chronic painMedium to High
Sleep disordersMedium to High
AnxietyMedium to High
GoutHigh
EpilepsyHigh to pharmaceutical grade
CancerHigh to pharmaceutical grade
MigraineLow to high
Strength of dosage for different uses.
Low dosage equals 1 mg per 4.5 kg body weight, medium 3 mg and high 6 mg.

In order to determine a specific dosage from this information on the desired strength, a simple calculation must be carried out. The body weight (kg) is divided by 4.5. This number is then multiplied by the desired strength (mg/kg) to give an indication of the dose in milligrams of CBD.

Dosage example
Example of a medium dose for a body weight of 60 kg.

To save you some calculating, we have already taken off these calculations for some body weights. You can find the results – broken down by low, medium and high dosage – in the table below. You don’t have to calculate anything yourself if you use our CBD dosage calculator.

Body weightDeep dosageMedium dosageHigh dosage
55 kg12.2 mg36.7 mg73.3 mg
60 kg13.3 mg40 mg80 mg
65 kg14.4 mg43.3 mg86.7 mg
70 kg15.6 mg46.7 mg93.3 mg
75 kg16.7 mg50 mg100 mg
80 kg17.8 mg53.3 mg106.7 mg
85 kg18.9 mg56.7 mg113.3 mg
90 kg20 mg60 mg120 mg
95 kg21.1 mg63.3 mg126.7 mg
100 kg22.2 mg66.7 mg133.3 mg

With this number in hand, we come to the second part: How much oil does it now take to take the calculated CBD dose? To find out, the strength/concentration of the oil used must be known. Often the CBD content of the whole bottle is indicated. This number must now be calculated down to the content per milliliter or per drop. To do this, simply (really simple 😉) divide the CBD content (in mg) by the number of milliliters or drops of the whole bottle. The result then indicates the strength of the individual milliliter or drop. A small calculation example with an oil from our range:

One 10% CBD oil from our store contains 1000 milligrams of CBD. One bottle contains about 220 drops or 10 ml of oil. With this information, the CBD content per drop (left) or per milliliter (right) can be calculated.

So now, if we want 40 milligrams of CBD (see example above), all that remains is for us to figure out how many drops of oil are called for. The dose (e.g. 40 mg) divided by the concentration (e.g. 4.55 mg per drop) gives the number of drops needed. In the chosen example, it would be 40 [mg] / 4.55 [mg/Tropfen] = 8.8 drops. The same calculation can be done with the concentration in milligrams per milliliter. This will then give the desired amount of oil in milliliters. (In the example: 40 [mg] / 100 [mg/ml] = 0.4 ml)

For the oils from our offer we have also already taken this bill from you. In this table you can find the results:

ProductCBD content
(per milliliter)
CBD content
(per drop)
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil 5% CBD50 mg2.27 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil 10% CBD100 mg4.55 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil 25% CBD250 mg11.36 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil 30% CBD300 mg13.64 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil without THC 6% CBD60 mg2.73 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil without THC 18% CBD180 mg8.18 mg
Fullspectrum Organic CBD Hemp Oil without THC 24% CBD240 mg10.91 mg

With this calculation we now have a first reference value available. However, this usually needs to be adjusted to achieve the perfect effect. It should generally be started with a rather low dose to avoid side effects. Various side effects can occur, especially at very high dosages, and at a dosage of 90 mg per 4.5 kg of body weight or more, unpleasant side effects are almost guaranteed to occur. Therefore, before taking it again, a little evaluation is called for: Was the dose strong enough so that an effect occurred? Did the effect turn out to be too strong and undesirable side effects (e.g. increased fatigue) occurred? By answering these questions and making appropriate adjustments, the perfect dosage is soon found.
At this point it should be noted that the dosage also depends on the selected oil. Since besides CBD other active ingredients are contained and the amount of these differs from oil to oil, all oils act differently.

Sources and further links:
CBD oil dosing guide from dailycbd.com (source for dosages).
Cannabidiol efficacy: clinical studies with cannabidiol and cannabidiol-containing extracts (source for dosages).
Step-Up Method according to Leinow & Birnbaum for the dosage of CBD on hemppedia.org (source and recommended reading)