Those serious about exercise or making a living as an athlete are constantly seeking an edge. For individuals looking to do so in a legal fashion, the range of products available has thankfully grown in recent years. The role of protein in building and maintaining muscle mass is well-known. It is a macronutrient that repairs muscle tissue and produces proteins and enzymes. The question is: Can CBD protein powder add a little extra to this process? Let’s find out in this guide. First, however, let’s reveal the best CBD protein powder on the market.
- Hemp-derived CBD protein is an excellent option for those looking to build or maintain healthy muscle mass.
- The addition of CBD may aid in recovery after strenuous weight lifting or exercise.
- The best CBD protein powder tastes great, whether mixed with water or milk.
- There are not many products on the market currently and a limited range of options.
- Some customers have difficulty finding a product with high levels of protein and CBD. When found, such products are generally costly.
Not in the mood to read the entire review? Check out our Wayofleaf’s Pick for our team’s #1 overall selection:
| Brand name | PureHemp | Floyd’s of Leadville | CBD Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label |  |  |  |
| CBD Content | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | 5/10 |
| Protein Content | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Price | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Taste | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | 4/10 |
| Online Customer Reviews | 9.5/10 | 9/10 | 5/10 |
| Brand Reputation / Customer Service | 9/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 |
| Overall score | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 6.7/10 |
| Link to purchase | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CBDperformance.com |
| Coupon code | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Full Brand Review | Read full review | Read full review | Read full review |
Best CBD Protein Powder for 2023: One Thing We Liked About Each Brand
| 1. | PureHemp: Best Tasting + Best All-Around CBD Protein Powder | Hands down the best hemp-derived CBD protein powder today. Great CBD content, lab-verified organic ingredients, and a great price. Check PureHemp prices. | 9.4 / |
| 2. | Floyd’s of Leadville: Highest Protein + CBD Content | Floyd’s offers a bit more of a niche product range than PureHemp. For fitness experts that really want to dial-in their protein source, you may find a larger range of selections here. Check Floyd’s of Leadville prices. | 8.9 / |
| 3. | CBD Performance – Best Cheap CBD Protein | Popular and widely accessible online, but the ease of access is about the only benefit of this brand. PureHemp and Floyd’s of Leadville are far better quality products, in our opinion. | 6.7 / |
Top-3 Best CBD Protein Powders | Reviews
After trying out several different products, it was clear pretty much straightaway that the #1 CBD protein powder available on the market is from PureHemp. This is made from a nano-amplified pure isolate CBD, and although it’s a little pricey, it checks off every box in terms of what you need to get out of a good plant-based protein powder; a lot of CBD, hemp-derived protein from shelled hemp seed, and BCAAs. It also tastes great and mixes well into smoothies.
- Robust CBD content with 300mg of pure CBD isolate
- 24g of whey protein per serving
- 4.5g branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
- Might have to increase the serving size if you’re trying to build muscle
Floyd’s of Leadville is a very good alternative to PureHemp. It contains a lot more CBD and protein per serving; the only downside is it costs a lot more. A single serving contains 27 grams of protein, 25mg of CBD, and 8.5 grams of BCAAs. Former professional cyclist Floyd Landis founded this brand at the age of 31 after a bad cycling accident left him needing a hip replacement. It’s made from high-quality US-grown hemp and is specifically formulated to help enhance athletic recovery.
- Highest content of CBD and protein, at 25mg and 27g respectively
- Specifically designed for post-workout recovery
- Available in either chocolate or vanilla flavors, makes for a great blended protein smoothie
- A lot more expensive than PureHemp
CBD Performance is a UK product that’s definitely among the most popular in terms of the number of customers they have. This isn’t a bad CBD protein powder, but it’s definitely not the one we’d use if we were using it daily for recovery or muscle building. It’s got a not-very-pleasant aftertaste, and you’re only getting 20g of protein per serving. The only real advantage here is a lower cost, but that doesn’t make up for an inferior quality product, in our opinion.
- Widely available online and in retail supplements stores
- Good price, but not worth it in our opinion
- UK-based. Shipping to U.S. states is more expensive
- Taste leaves a lot to be desired
- Only 20g of protein per serving
WAYOFLEAF’S CHOICE: Why PureHemp Makes the Best CBD Protein
A very basic (but one of the most challenging aspects of this review) was simply finding a good CBD protein product online. There are a lot of hemp protein products on sites such as Life Extension, but as you’re probably aware, hemp protein powders don’t actually contain CBD (this is because they’re made from the seeds of hemp as opposed to the plant parts).
Fortunately, we were able to locate three decent options after some research. Floyd’s of Leadville offers the highest level of CBD per serving with an impressive 30mg, but this is a pricey product that will be cost prohibitive for many people. PureHemp CBD offers very decent specs with 20mg of CBD, 24g of protein, and 4.5g of BCAAs per serving in an organic whey isolate powder.
Floyd’s of Leadville makes an excellent product that was founded by former professional cyclist Floyd Landis. At the age of 31, Floyd had a bad cycling accident that left him needing a hip replacement, resulting in a lot of pain for Floyd until he found that CBD could help. From there, he created a brand that sells products of impressive quality.
For those that don’t have to worry about how much they’re spending, go with Floyd’s of Leadville. For everyone else, we’d recommend PureHemp as they’ve got a great product with similar specs compared to Floyd’s, at a more reasonable price.
Why Do People Use CBD Protein Powder?
Those who champion CBD claim it has an array of potential benefits. It could have the following properties:
- Antibacterial
- Analgesic
- Neuroprotective
- Anti-inflammatory
It is perhaps the last option that intrigues exercise enthusiasts. Those who lift weights need to understand the process of muscle building. When you stress your muscles in this fashion, their fibers are torn and then repaired as part of the growth process. Traditionally, gym-goers use protein to help the muscles. The theory is that combining CBD with protein helps reduce the pain and inflammation associated with workouts and helps the muscles repair faster.
An increasing number of athletes now believe that CBD protein is essential in the muscle recovery process. Possible benefits include reduced muscle damage, improved muscle performance, and accelerated muscle protein regeneration.
A review of studies by Nagarkatti et al., published in Future Medicinal Chemistry in October 2009, suggested that cannabinoids such as CBD had potential as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. That said, the amount of scientific evidence to suggest CBD protein powder can help speed up muscle recovery is minimal.
Some users add CBD to protein as a means of controlling their weight. The combination of these ingredients could help you feel fuller for longer. The result is less snacking and decreased portion sizes. The suggestion here is that CBD works with neurotransmitters in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to regulate appetite.
Finally, there are general nutritional benefits involved. Research suggests that adults need at least 0.8g of protein per kilogram of weight, and active people usually require even more. A protein shake is a convenient way to bump up your daily intake. Taking protein with CBD merely enables you to kill two birds with one stone.
What Are the Different Types of CBD Protein Powder?
The range of protein powder options on offer may come as a surprise for the uninitiated. Companies looking to delve into the CBD niche are attempting to add the cannabinoid to the mix. Here are a few of the best-known forms of protein powder:
Whey: This is the biggest selling type of protein and is the full-spectrum version! Marketers suggest it provides all of the essential amino acids needed by the body, and it is also one of the easiest forms to absorb.
Casein: If you seek a dairy-based option, casein protein is a great option. It also includes an amino acid known as glutamine, which helps speed up muscle recovery after exercise. On the downside, it is not suitable for vegans or individuals with lactose intolerance. You should use this type of protein before bed due to its slow digestion rate.
Pea: Yes, there is pea protein available, and some suppliers add CBD to it! Interestingly, it is filled with an amino acid called arginine. It is an excellent alternative to dairy or soy-based products.
Soy: This is a good option if you don’t tolerate dairy particularly well. This niche’s best CBD protein powders contain a full-spectrum of amino acids.
The above is only the tip of the iceberg. You can find egg white protein, beef bone broth protein, and hydrolyzed whey protein isolate on Bulk Supplements, for example!
Regardless of the CBD protein you use, make sure you know your nutritional needs. Research suggests that excessively high doses of protein over a long period could lead to kidney damage. However, you would need to consume a significant amount of CBD protein powder to have an issue, and the expense involved makes it even tougher!
Is Hemp Protein Powder the Same as CBD Protein Powder?
Generally speaking, they are not the same. You will find some hemp protein powders with a reasonable amount of CBD, but most brands use the hemp plant’s seeds, which contain a high protein level but almost no CBD. Alas, most of the CBD in the plant comes from the leaves and flowers. Therefore, protein powder made using hemp seeds is unlikely to contain much CBD, if any. The seeds get ground up and pressed into a powder.
This form of protein has also become extremely popular. It has a delicious nutty taste and usually comes in appealing flavors. The best brands ensure their products contain all nine essential amino acids. Moreover, hemp seed protein is straightforward to digest. Indeed, up to 98% of the protein in hemp seeds is digestible! However, it is not the same as CBD protein powder; don’t get fooled into thinking it is.
CBD protein powder may also contain other phytocannabinoids. The amount of protein you get per serving varies, though we recommend sticking with brands that offer at least 15 grams. Although this sub-niche of the cannabidiol industry is growing, most of the best CBD powder for CrossFit and other pursuits are found in nutritional stores. Relatively few CBD experts sell it, although this state of affairs is slowly changing.
All in all, it took a fair amount of time to find three CBD protein powder companies that were even worth considering. Both PureHemp and Floyd’s of Leadville presented strong cases, and while there was a lack of flavor options for both, the taste and ease of mixing made up for it in both brands. Few brands are easy on the wallet, but in the end, we feel that PureHemp has the right balance of taste, price, and ingredients. Floyd’s is a little costly but possibly worth it for those who want to combine CBD and protein to maximum muscle-building effect.
Whatever you do, be sure to avoid mistaking hemp protein powder for its CBD equivalent. Hemp protein comes from the hemp plant’s seeds, and seldom contains CBD.
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