Sports are a huge part of our lives. They're a way to stay active, relieve stress, and bond with friends. But they can also take a toll on our bodies. Pickleball is no exception. This high-energy sport is a great workout but can leave us feeling sore and stiff the next day. But what if there was a way to reduce that discomfort and get back on the court faster? 

That's where CBD comes in. This natural compound has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help your body recover from a hard pickleball match. 

This article will delve into the science behind CBD and how it can help your pickleball game. We will cover the following topics to lay the foundation for this discussion: 

• What is pickleball?
• How can CBD improve your game?
• CBD for pickleball recovery
• Best CBD products for pickleball 

If you're new to the world of CBD, this guide will be a valuable resource. And, if you're already using CBD, we'll show you how it can take your pickleball game to the next level.

Pickleball is a fun paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The game is played on a court with the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court (20×44 feet) and a slightly modified tennis net (height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle). 

Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three dads – Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell – on Bainbridge Island, WA. One Saturday, after returning home from a golf game, Joel and Bill realized their families were bored. To combat the boredom, they thought of a way to keep their families engaged and happy.

Pritchard's property had a badminton court, but they couldn't find a set of rackets to play with. So, they grabbed a set of ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, and started playing this new game. The game was an instant hit with their families, and they quickly realized they had stumbled onto something special - the pickleball game!

Pickleball can be played as either doubles or singles. The game is played with a lightweight polymer paddle and a perforated plastic ball. The serves are usually underhand, and the ball must bounce before the player can hit it. 

Players score points when their opponents are unable to return the ball or hit it out of bounds. The game is won when one team reaches 11 points first, leading by a margin of at least 2 points.

Also known as cannabidiol, CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant. Extracted from the seeds, stalks, and flowers of hemp plants – though it can also be extracted from marijuana plants – CBD is a botanical concentrate that contains low levels of the psychoactive compound, THC (less than 0.3% THC). This makes CBD ideal for those seeking the potential benefits of cannabis without the "high" associated with marijuana use. 

The human body contains a vast network of receptors called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body. The ECS has two main receptors: cannabinoid receptor type 1 (found in the brain and central nervous system) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (found in the immune system). 

When CBD is consumed, it binds to receptors in the ECS, which in turn helps to regulate a variety of functions in the body, including pain perception, mood, appetite, and inflammation. 

The simple answer is yes! CBD is becoming increasingly popular among athletes; many find it helps improve their performance and recovery. 

In fact, according to one research, cannabinoids are considered the second most used substance by professional athletes, replacing nicotine.(1)

This goes to show how cannabinoids such as CBD are becoming mainstream in the athletic community. 

CBD oil is a non-psychoactive, natural remedy that is becoming increasingly popular among athletes for its potential performance-enhancing and recovery-boosting effects. 

Athletes' bodies are under constant stress and strain, which can lead to inflammation and pain. CBD oil helps reduce inflammation and pain, allowing athletes to focus on their performance and recovery.

According to one review, CBD exerts several biochemical, physiological, and psychological effects that can benefit athletes. For example, CBD has been shown to reduce pain perception, help alleviate inflammation, and promote the healing of skeletal injuries.(2)

That's why products such as BATCH CBD Oils are becoming popular for athletes looking for natural ways to improve their performance and recovery. 

The short answer is yes. In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its list of banned substances.(3) This means that athletes can now use CBD for sports without fear of violating doping rules. 

However, it is important to note that only CBD was removed from that list. THC - the psychoactive compound in cannabis - is still banned by WADA. Also, the tolerable urinary threshold for THC is set at 150 ng/ml. So, athletes should be careful to use CBD products that are low in THC or THC-free if they want to avoid violating doping rules. 

As mentioned earlier, CBD has a variety of potential benefits that can be helpful for athletes. The following are some of the ways that CBD can improve your game: 

There are no clear-cut studies that show CBD definitely improves athletic performance. However, there is some anecdotal evidence suggesting that CBD can help athletes achieve their peak performance. For example, CBD can help reduce anxiety, improving an athlete's performance in high-pressure situations such as stressful competitions. 

According to one research, CBD helped reduce anxiety levels in subjects before giving a public speech.(4) This suggests that CBD may help you feel more relaxed and focused during competitions, allowing you to perform your best. 

As an athlete, you know that your muscles can sometimes betray you. They can get tense and cause cramping, which can sideline you from the game. CBD oil can help reduce muscle spasms by relaxing the muscles and reducing inflammation. 

Research shows that CBD can help relax muscles by interacting with GABA-A receptors in the human body.(5) This can help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms, therefore allowing you to stay in the game longer and perform your best. 

Intense workouts can take a lot out of your body and deplete your energy stores. That’s why it's important to refuel after exercise. CBD can help increase your appetite, so you can get the nutrients your body needs to recover. 

One study was conducted to see the effects of CBD on epileptic children. Parents reported a significant reduction in epilepsy symptoms, with 30% of them reporting an increase in their child's appetite.(6) 

This shows that CBD can help boost appetite, which is beneficial for athletes who need to refuel after a workout. With a good appetite comes increased energy levels and faster muscle recovery, both of which can help improve your athletic performance.

Your heart is one of the most important muscles in your body, and it needs to be in tip-top shape to perform its best. CBD can help boost your cardiovascular system, improving your heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease. CBD does this by reducing high blood pressure - a leading risk factor for heart disease. 

A 2017 study found that CBD was able to reduce blood pressure in healthy human volunteers when they were subjected to stress.(7) 

This suggests that CBD could help you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, even during intense competition. In turn, this can help improve your game and reduce your risk of heart-related issues. 

As discussed earlier, pickleball is a sport that can be quite demanding on your body. It is important to give your body the time it needs to recover after a game or practice. CBD can help with pickleball recovery in the following ways: 

CBD is known to control cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can hinder the repair and growth of muscle tissue. CBD can help reduce cortisol levels, which will in turn help muscle fibers recover faster. 

One study showed that CBD reduces cortisol levels in human beings.(8) By helping control cortisol levels, CBD can help you recover from pickleball games and practices more quickly. 

CBD can also help you sleep better. Getting proper sleep is important for overall health, but it is especially important for athletes. When you sleep, your body is able to repair itself. Without proper sleep, your body will not be able to recover properly from pickleball games and practices. 

Studies show that CBD can help induce and improve sleep quality.(9) Therefore, consuming CBD may help you recover better from pickleball by allowing you to get proper sleep.

Exercise-induced GI damage is a common problem for athletes. When you exercise strenuously, blood flow is diverted away from the stomach and intestines to working muscles. This can lead to GI problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. 

CBD has been shown to help reduce exercise-induced GI damage.(10) This can help you recover from pickleball games and practices more quickly and with less discomfort. 

CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It can help you recover from pickleball practices and games by reducing inflammation and pain. 

A study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggested that CBD may help reduce inflammation and pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors.(11) This makes CBD an effective natural remedy for pickleball recovery. 

CBD has several other potential benefits that can improve your performance in Pickleball. These include: 

CBD can help support a healthy immune system. Research shows that CBD has immune-boosting properties that can help keep you healthy.(12) Illness causes reduced focus and energy levels, which in turn can lead to reduced performance. By helping keep your immune system functioning properly, CBD can help you stay healthy and perform at your best.

Sometimes the cause of poor performance is simply a bad mood. A bad mood can lead to a lack of focus, energy, and motivation. CBD has been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. This can help you be in a better mood, improve focus, and perform better in pickleball!

Including CBD in your pickleball routine can help improve your performance and recovery. Below are some of the best CBD products that can help you with pickleball performance and recovery: 

CBD oils are a great way to get your daily dose of CBD. They can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or added to your food or beverage. Products such as BATCH CBD Oils can be used to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with injuries from Pickleball. 

CBD topicals are applied directly to the skin to target specific areas of pain and inflammation. They are highly effective and can be used as often as needed to help relieve joint pain and muscle soreness. BATCH CBD Topicals are a great option for those looking for immediate relief. 

CBD edibles are available in a variety of forms, including gummies, candies, and chocolates. They are made by infusing CBD into food products. CBD edibles are a great way to get your daily dose of CBD, as they are easy to take and can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. BATCH CBD Gummies can help reduce your anxiety during pickleball matches and help you recover from muscle soreness after a game. 

CBD capsules are a convenient way to get your daily dose of CBD. They can be taken orally with water or added to drinks or food. CBD capsules are made by encapsulating CBD oil in a gelatinous casing. They are easy to take and offer long-lasting effects. 
Taking BATCH CBD Softgels before a pickleball match can help improve your focus and boost your energy levels, helping you to perform your best. 

CBD has many benefits that can help improve your pickleball performance. It can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve focus and energy levels, and support a healthy immune system. Adding CBD to your pickleball routine can help you perform at your best and recover more quickly from practices and games. 
BATCH offers a variety of CBD products that can help you with pickleball performance and recovery. From our CBD Oils and Topicals to our CBD Gummies and Softgels, we have something for everyone.
For more on CBD, and how it can potentially help you boost your pickleball performance, check out our BATCH Blog today!