The growing acceptance and legalization of Marijuana in recent years has sparked interest among the general public of the plant’s benefits. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant known for it’s high fiber content and cannabinoids – specifically Cannabidiol, or CBD.
CBD is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids, compounds within the cannabis plant known for their unique and robust therapeutic properties. CBD, has gained popularity for its safe, non-addictive and non-intoxicating qualities.
In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the banned substance list, recognizing its therapeutic benefits, as well as a safer alternative to Ibuprofen and Opioids. Several benefits include relieving pain, decreasing inflammation, enhancing recovery and fight fatigue. Though these claims are still being evaluated by the FDA, many CBD users, professional athletes included, have reported success stories.
Interestingly enough, cannabinoids are already present in the human body, which scientists have coined the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Our nervous system produces 2 endocannabinoids, 2-AG and EAE, in postsynaptic neurons and released into the synapse. They bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors on the presynaptic neuron and act to inhibit the release of certain neurotransmitters. CB1 receptors are found throughout the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues. CB2 receptors also found throughout the brain and spinal cord, but more of them are found in immune system tissues.
When CBD binds to CB1 receptors it impacts the central nervous system – promoting calmer nerves, reduces anxiety and improves the ability to relax. When CBD binds to CB2 receptors helps reduce inflammation and speeds up recovery.
My personal journey with CBD as an elite athlete has been life changing. From the age of 15 until 23, I faced reoccurring tibial stress fractures that almost ended my running career. After years of using ibuprofen and acquiring Irritable Bowl Syndrome due to my long term use, I turned to CBD as my final hope. CBD did what pills, physical therapy, and orthotics could not do. It gave me the ability to run without taping my shins – and more importantly, without pain. After discovering this secret remedy, I wanted to share it with the world and give hope a second chance for other athletes.
I founded Ashlee’s Powers CBD bars with the mission of educating athletes of the benefits of CBD and promote longevity in active living. Our bars only use the highest quality ingredients and believe in transparency, because you deserve to know what you are putting in your body. Our bars contain Broad-Spectrum Phytocannabinoid-Rich Hemp Powder that is designed for optimal bio-availability and contains 0.0% THC. As an athlete still competing at a competitive level, I myself cannot have more than 150 nanograms per milliliter of THC in my body and understand the risks of drug testing. I would not put anything in my bars that I cannot consume myself and hope other athletes could reap the benefits of CBD without the fear of testing positive and having a product they can trust.