BY DEAN KARNAZES
If you are an endurance athlete, pain is a familiar bedfellow. And like any relationship, there are bound to be rocky patches. So, what do you do when things turn sour? It’s an age-old conundrum that athletes have been trying to decode since the ancient Olympics. Thankfully we have newer tools in our arsenal beyond the rear hooves of an Abyssian ass, ground up, boiled in oil, and flavored with rose petals, as first-century Greek physician Galen prescribed.
What exactly is pain? There are multiple classifications to categorize the main types of pain we feel—acute, chronic, neuropathic, nociceptive, and radicular—but all involve the stimulation of pain receptors that send electrical signals through the nervous system to the spinal cord and brain, initiating the perception of pain. Unlike other physiological biomarkers, like heart rate, ferritin levels, or blood sugar, the perception of pain is subjective and complex and, thus, more challenging to quantify. I have run marathons and ultramarathons alongside athletes of comparable caliber, and they have complained of tremendous pain when I feel relatively little and vice versa (sometimes during the very same race!). Essentially, pain is in the neurons of the beholder.
Is there a way to help moderate pain? Let me tell you a story about the first time I tried CBD. It was after the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2018. Sleep after any endurance race is notoriously disruptive, but especially so after running for 24 hours straight through the mountainous and craggy Sierra Nevada Mountain range. One of my crew members had recently replaced his nearly chronic use of Naproxen (Aleve) with CBD and suggested I try some. “Will I hallucinate?” I asked, “Because I’ve already had conversations with a tree during the race.” He laughed and explained that broad-spectrum CBD contains, at most, only trace amounts of psychoactive THC (Note: Hammer Nutrition’s broad-spectrum formulas contain 0.0% THC). I swallowed two capsules and stretched out on the couch. It was the most restorative post-ultra sleep of my life.
Since then, I’ve been using CBD on a fairly regular basis. And something important that I’ve learned is that not all CBD is created equal. Allow me to explain further. There are 3 main types of CBD: Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum and Isolate. Isolate contains only CBD (cannabidiol), with no other cannabinoids or THC. High-quality Broad-Spectrum formulas contain most of the cannabis plant compounds and should have no THC (Note: If you are drug tested or do not want any THC in your system, make sure you use Hammer Nutrition’s broad-spectrum formulas, which are third-party tested to contain 0.0% THC). Full-Spectrum contains all parts of the cannabis plant and may contain up to 0.3% THC. Note that while this is a small amount, far too low to come anywhere near causing the “high” associated with THC, it will still show up on a drug test.
Just as important as understanding the types of CBD is knowing that quality is equally important. That’s why I use Hammer CBD, which is derived from organically grown, non-GMO cannabis from the USA and is expertly extracted and rigorously batch-tested for quality assurance. For the ultimate in pain relief, recovery, and renewal, combine Hammer CBD with Tissue Rejuvenator. It’s a winning combination!
And if you have a furry companion accompanying you on runs and to races—No, I’m not referring to your friend Ed—Hammer Nutrition makes a canine dietary supplement with CBD for health and calmness. Fido will love Doggie Daily Essentials and will sleep just as soundly as you do.
Whether you run on two legs or four, Hammer CBD is a modern plant-based tool that can help you keep going for the long run.
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Dean Karnazes is an ultramarathoner and Hammer Nutrition global athlete. He is a NY Times bestselling author and recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Dean at: Dean Karnazes Keeps Hammering
1 comment
My wife has been complaining about Charlie horses at night while trying to sleep. What would you recommend?
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Hammer Nutrition replied:
Hello David, thank you for your question. Magnesium deficiency and or electrolyte imbalance is likely the culprit. Taking 2-3 Essential MG or 1-2 Endurolytes before bed should resolve her night cramps. BDF