Training with Cannabinoids (Part II): Recovery & Restoration — The Art of Healing

Experienced racers know recovery doesn’t begin at the finish line—it begins long before the race even starts. The foundation for fast, complete recovery is built through consistent training, balanced nutrition, and proper hydration. When the body is accustomed to prolonged effort, its systems—muscular, cardiovascular, and neurological—recover faster and more efficiently after strain.

For runners who have trained steadily, recovery feels like a natural rhythm rather than an uphill battle. But for those who’ve pushed beyond their limits or undertrained, the post-race phase can feel overwhelming as fatigue deepens, inflammation peaks, and the nervous system struggles to find balance.

In this installment of our series in honor of the NYC Marathon, we’ll explore how to optimize that critical window through the lens of both modern cannabinoid science and Traditional Chinese Medicine. We’ll discuss:

• The physiology of recovery and why it begins long before race day
  
  

• The roles of hydration, electrolytes, and circulation in preventing post-race crashes
  
  

• The synergistic effects of traditional herbs—Corydalis, Frankincense, Myrrh, Licorice Root, Angelica Root, and Turmeric—in supporting tissue repair and energy balance
  
  

• The restorative power of cannabinoids such as CBD and THC in reducing inflammation, pain, and stress
  
  

• And finally, a thoughtful recovery routine designed to guide the body from post-race relief to full restoration and renewed performance.
  
  

Together, these elements form the foundation of Dragon Hemp’s recovery philosophy: restoring the body, grounding the mind, and helping athletes reconnect with their natural rhythm of effort and ease.

Read: Part I: A Mindful Runner's Edge

Recovery is the continuation of training with cannabinoids, not the end of it. Every endurance effort creates microtears in muscle fibers, depletes glycogen stores, and drains fluids and electrolytes. During a race or long training session, adrenaline masks these deficits—but once the finish-line euphoria fades, the body’s true work begins.

The first priority is rehydration and replenishment. Water alone isn’t enough; electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium are essential for restoring cellular balance, supporting nerve communication, and allowing muscles to relax and repair. Without adequate replenishment, fatigue lingers, cramps persist, and the risk of overtraining increases.

Next comes inflammation management, a process central to recovery. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing response, but when prolonged, it can delay repair and increase soreness. Here, the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role—helping regulate inflammation, modulate pain perception, and restore internal balance. Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC complement this process by supporting the ECS’s ability to calm overactive inflammatory responses and ease muscular tension after strain.

Circulation and oxygenation are equally critical. Efficient blood flow delivers nutrients to tissues and clears out metabolic waste. Practices like active recovery, massage, stretching, and even heat or contrast therapy can improve circulation and accelerate the healing process. In parallel, traditional Chinese herbs—long used in post-exertion recovery—can enhance circulation, nourish blood, and reduce stagnation. Botanicals such as Corydalis, Turmeric, Frankincense, and Myrrh are known for improving microcirculation and supporting tissue healing, helping oxygen and nutrients reach fatigued muscles more efficiently. Together, these natural systems and compounds promote the conditions for faster, more complete recovery.

Finally, recovery depends on consistency and rhythm. Athletes who train progressively and rest deliberately build physiological resilience; their bodies adapt to repeated stress and rebound more efficiently. The best recovery doesn’t start after the race—it begins in preparation, grounded in balance, awareness, and respect for the body’s natural limits.

Known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Yan Hu Suo, Corydalis has long been revered for its ability to relieve pain and restore the smooth circulation of qi and blood. Its active compound, dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), interacts with the body’s pain receptors in a way similar to morphine—yet without the risk of addiction or sedation.

For modern athletes, Corydalis offers a natural path to relief and renewal. It helps relax tense or overworked muscles, ease inflammation, and reestablish healthy blood flow to damaged tissues. By promoting both comfort and circulation, it supports the body’s transition from strain to recovery—helping each effort conclude with restoration rather than residual tension.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.
  
  

Effect: Relieves pain, improves circulation, supports tissue repair.

Turmeric, known in Chinese medicine as Jiang Huang, has long been prized for its dual ability to move qi and blood while calming inflammation at its source. Modern research continues to validate what traditional healers have known for centuries—its active compound, curcumin, possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help protect tissues from oxidative stress and support cellular repair.

In post-training recovery, Turmeric helps clear stagnation, reduce swelling, and restore fluid circulation through overworked muscles and joints. When combined with other restorative herbs, it reinforces the body’s natural healing processes—working at both the energetic and cellular level to bring the system back into balance and readiness.


Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.
  
  

Effect: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, supports cellular regeneration.

Frankincense (Ru Xiang) and Myrrh (Mo Yao) are a legendary pairing in both Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine—used for centuries to invigorate blood, ease pain, and accelerate tissue repair. Their synergy lies in contrast and complement: Frankincense improves oxygen flow and circulation, opening the pathways for healing, while Myrrh reduces swelling, repairs microtears, and restores elasticity to overworked muscles and connective tissue.

Modern research supports their traditional use, revealing potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that promote cellular regeneration and recovery at a deep level. Together, Ru Xiang and Mo Yao form a cornerstone of Dragon Hemp’s restorative formulations—uniting ancient wisdom and modern function to help the body return to harmony after exertion.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.

Effect:  Reduces swelling, speeds healing, restores mobility.

Angelica Root (Dang Gui)—often called “female ginseng”—is one of the most revered tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Valued for its ability to nourish blood and invigorate circulation, it helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to muscles and joints depleted by strain.

Beyond its circulatory benefits, Dang Gui supports tissue regeneration and helps maintain flexibility by reducing stiffness and dryness within the muscles. Its gentle yet restorative nature makes it especially valuable in post-training recovery, where it replenishes what’s been expended and helps the body rebuild with balance and vitality.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.

Effect: Enhances blood flow, reduces stiffness, supports muscle repair.

Licorice Root (Gan Cao)—known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as “the great harmonizer”—is prized for its ability to bring balance to herbal formulations and to the body itself. It moderates the intensity of stronger herbs while nourishing the spleen and digestive system, which are often depleted by prolonged endurance and physical exertion.

Physiologically, Gan Cao acts as a gentle adaptogen, helping the body recover from stress and regulate inflammation. It supports energy restoration, soothes muscle and joint tension, and protects tissues from the strain of overuse. Within a recovery context, it bridges strength and restoration—ensuring the body rebuilds not only efficiently, but harmoniously.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.
  
  

Effect: Relieves pain, improves circulation, supports tissue repair.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is the body’s natural mediator—calming inflammation, reducing pain, and helping the nervous system unwind after exertion. By engaging CB2 receptors in muscle and immune tissue, it helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response and ease residual soreness from training. At the same time, it supports parasympathetic activation, allowing the body to shift from performance mode into healing mode, where growth and repair occur.

Beyond the physical, CBD helps restore psychological balance. It steadies the mind, reduces post-race restlessness, and supports deeper, more restorative sleep—one of the most essential phases of recovery. In this way, CBD doesn’t just soothe the body; it re-establishes harmony between effort and ease, preparing athletes to rise again with clarity and composure.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity. 
  
  
• Calming Gummies in the evening.
  
  
• Sleep Tincture at night.
  
  

Effect: Reduces soreness, eases tension, improves rest.

Low doses of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) can help alleviate pain, relax muscles, and release the physical and mental tension that accumulates during periods of sustained training. By engaging the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, THC modulates pain perception and helps regulate the stress response, allowing athletes to unwind without numbing their awareness. It promotes a smoother transition from exertion to recovery—loosening tightness, easing soreness, and calming the nervous system.

When paired with CBD, THC’s effects become more balanced and grounded. The two work synergistically to restore equilibrium between body and mind, reducing overactivity in both the muscles and the mind. This combination supports a state of calm recovery and emotional release, where the body can begin to heal and the mind can reset.

Find it in:

• Recovery Tincture after activity.
  
  
• Leisure Gummies on rest days or during active recovery.

Effect: Eases pain, promotes relaxation, supports mood recovery.

Often called the “mother cannabinoid,” CBG (Cannabigerol) has demonstrated both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. For runners, it can help reduce muscle fatigue, support gut health, and promote sustained focus during long or technical training sessions.

CBG’s mental benefits are equally valuable: it may help improve alertness without overstimulation, supporting decision-making and body awareness — crucial for pacing, form, and maintaining rhythm over distance.

Find it in:

• Leisure Gummies on rest days or during active recovery.

Effect: supports mental clarity and muscular recovery, helping the body and mind stay balanced and composed as they rebound from exertion.

CBC (Cannabichromene) works in harmony with other cannabinoids to reduce discomfort and regulate inflammation—supporting recovery without dulling the senses. It helps the body maintain equilibrium during and after exertion, easing residual tension while promoting a smooth physical rebound.

Mentally, CBC is linked to elevated mood and emotional steadiness, helping athletes stay balanced and clear through the natural highs and lows of training.

Use it with:

• Leisure Gummies on rest days or during active recovery.
  
  
• Energy Gummies during active recovery.

Effect: eases post-training tension and restoring emotional balance while supporting the body’s natural recovery rhythm.

THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is often called the “energy cannabinoid,” but its benefits extend beyond performance into recovery. By supporting balanced blood sugar and efficient energy metabolism, THCV helps the body rebound smoothly after exertion—restoring clarity without the crash.

Mentally, it promotes focus, motivation, and mood stability, helping athletes re-engage with movement during active recovery or light training days. The result is a calm, sustained energy that supports both physical restoration and renewed drive.

Use it with:

• Energy Gummies during active recovery.

Effect: supports the rhythm of recovery, restoring steady energy and mental clarity as the body rebuilds strength after exertion.

Recovery is where the body transforms effort into strength. The hours and days that follow a race are when adaptation happens—when muscles repair, inflammation subsides, and energy reserves rebuild. But the foundation for recovery begins long before the finish line. How you hydrate, fuel, and pace your effort determines how your body responds when the race is done—and how quickly you’re ready to go again.

In the following stages, we’ll outline the complete recovery process—from preparation and prevention before the race, to the critical hours afterward, and finally the days of restoration that prepare you to perform again.

Recovery starts in preparation. The choices you make in the hours before and during a race directly affect your ability to repair afterward. Proper hydration and nutrition help regulate temperature, sustain energy, and minimize muscle breakdown.

1. The Day Before the Race: Fuel & Hydrate Intentionally

Preparation starts the day before you run. Your goal is to arrive at the starting line well-hydrated, fully fueled, and rested. Focus on carbohydrate loading to saturate glycogen stores—the body’s primary source of endurance energy. Aim for 7 to 10 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight throughout the day (roughly 450–700 grams for most marathon runners), spread evenly across meals and snacks.

Prioritize complex carbohydrates like rice, pasta, potatoes, oats, and fruit, paired with small amounts of lean protein and minimal fat or fiber to keep digestion smooth. Avoid heavy sauces, fried foods, or anything unfamiliar.

Hydration should also be consistent and measured. Drink water steadily throughout the day—about half your body weight in ounces, increasing slightly if the weather is warm. Include electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium to help the body retain fluids and prevent cramping.

Finally, wind down early. Avoid alcohol and large, late meals that can disrupt sleep. A calm evening and a full night’s rest (7–9 hours) will leave your body balanced, hydrated, and ready to perform.

2. Pre-Race Hydration

In the 24 hours before the race, focus on drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water—more if it’s hot or humid. Include electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium to ensure your body retains fluid and maintains muscle function. Avoid overhydration; urine should be pale yellow, not clear.

3. Fuel Before the Start

Eat a balanced meal 3 to 4 hours before the race with complex carbohydrates (oats, rice, or fruit), lean protein, and moderate healthy fats. This stabilizes blood sugar and supports steady energy release. Avoid heavy, high-fiber foods that may slow digestion or cause discomfort during the run.

4. Hydration During the Race

Drink 4 to 8 ounces of water or electrolyte mix every 15 to 20 minutes, adjusting for temperature and sweat rate. Alternate between plain fluids and electrolyte beverages to maintain sodium balance and prevent cramping. During longer events, aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour from gels, chews, or drinks to replenish glycogen stores and delay fatigue.

5. Post-Race Transition

The moment you cross the finish line, your recovery begins. Small sips of electrolyte-rich fluids and a snack combining carbohydrates and protein (like fruit with nut butter or a recovery shake) will jump-start muscle repair and energy restoration within the first 30 minutes.

In the first 24 hours post-race, inflammation peaks and the body scrambles to restore balance. This is the critical window for relief, replenishment, and deep rest—the foundation of recovery.

Start with hydration and electrolytes to replace the sodium, potassium, and magnesium lost through sweat. Aim to drink 16 to 24 ounces of water for every pound of body weight lost during the race, spacing intake gradually over several hours to avoid bloating. Adding an electrolyte mix or mineral supplement helps restore cellular balance and supports muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and energy metabolism.

Then reach for Recovery Tincture, the cornerstone of post-race repair. A few drops beneath the tongue help activate the body’s anti-inflammatory response while grounding the nervous system. Formulated with Full-Spectrum CBD and traditional herbs including Corydalis, Frankincense, Myrrh, Licorice Root, Angelica Root, and Turmeric, the tincture promotes circulation, relieves soreness, and supports tissue healing. Together, these botanicals help oxygen and nutrients reach fatigued muscles more efficiently, accelerating your return to equilibrium.

That night, prioritize a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep—it’s the single most powerful tool for recovery. During this sustained period of rest, the body releases growth hormone, rebuilds muscle fibers, and reduces inflammation. Sleep also helps restore cognitive focus and emotional balance, preparing both body and mind for the days ahead.

If post-race adrenaline or discomfort makes rest elusive, Sleep Tincture can help ease the transition. Its blend of Full-Spectrum CBD and traditional Chinese herbs supports deep, sustained sleep without intoxication or grogginess, allowing the body to enter the restorative phases it needs most.

Wake the next morning hydrated, rested, and ready to continue the recovery process with greater stability and calm.

As soreness deepens, recovery shifts inward. Muscles repair, inflammation subsides, and the nervous system begins to reset. Continue with Recovery Tincture twice daily to maintain anti-inflammatory support and enhance circulation.

If tension lingers or rest feels elusive, Calming Gummies with Full-Spectrum CBD offer non-intoxicating relaxation. They help quiet post-race restlessness and activate the body’s parasympathetic response—the “rest and digest” state essential to healing.

Avoid alcohol during this phase (see below). It may dull soreness temporarily, but it disrupts sleep, dehydrates tissue, and slows recovery.

Once movement feels natural again, the focus turns to rhythm—gently reintroducing motion while nurturing recovery. Continue using Recovery Tincture to sustain muscle repair and prevent lingering inflammation.

Light activity such as yoga, walking, or mobility work encourages blood flow and flexibility. For a subtle lift in mood and energy, Leisure Gummies—a balanced blend of THC, CBD, CBG, and CBC—can help ease residual tension while fostering calm focus and mild euphoria.

If you’re returning to light training, Energy Gummies—with THCV, CBC, Lion’s Mane, and Yerba Mate—provide clean, sustained energy that supports movement without overstimulation. Each step forward becomes part of the restoration itself—a reminder that recovery is not about stillness, but about intelligent motion.

After a race or long training cycle, celebrating with a drink can be tempting—not just to unwind, but to take the edge off lingering aches or soreness. Yet alcohol undermines the body’s ability to recover in nearly every way. It dehydrates, disrupts sleep, slows glycogen replenishment, and increases systemic inflammation—the very things your body is working hard to repair.

Replacing alcohol with mindful alternatives can ease both tension and discomfort without compromising recovery. Leisure Gummies, for example, offer a smoother path to relaxation: 5mg of hemp-derived THC, balanced by CBD, CBC, and CBG, delivers calm focus and gentle euphoria without the dehydration, inflammation, or lingering effects of alcohol.

Choosing this kind of ritual keeps recovery aligned with your training goals—restorative, intentional, and kind to the body you’ve just pushed to its limit.

Recovery isn’t passive—it’s an ongoing dialogue between preparation, effort, and restoration. The same principles that build endurance—hydration, consistency, and awareness—sustain healing.

Throughout the recovery process, Recovery Tincture remains the foundation: a steady companion that supports circulation, eases inflammation, and helps restore the body’s natural rhythm. Calming Gummies and Leisure Gummies offer mindful alternatives for relaxation, while Energy Gummies and the Sleep Tincture complement the cycle of rest and renewal.

Cannabinoids and traditional herbs don’t replace discipline; they refine it. They work in harmony with the body’s intelligence, allowing recovery to become not just a phase, but a practice—a return to balance through care and intention.

Because feeling whole again isn’t the end of the story—it’s the return to it.

Dragon Hemp. Feel like yourself again.

Part I explored how cannabinoids can support the body before, during, and after exertion—enhancing endurance, reducing inflammation, and promoting balance through the training process. From THC’s role in energy metabolism and pain modulation to CBD’s calming influence on recovery and sleep, we examined how these compounds work in harmony with the body’s endocannabinoid system to sustain both performance and resilience.

Together, these insights laid the foundation for understanding recovery not as an afterthought, but as a continuation of training—one that integrates cannabinoids, nutrition, and intentional rest to help athletes feel like themselves again.

Read: Part I: A Mindful Runner's Edge

Dragon Hemp is the practitioner-founded apothecary that produces plant-based therapeutics formulated with a proprietary blend of next-generation botanicals and time honored herbal remedies.

For people seeking treatments that give relief & address the root cause.

Our herbal remedies are innovative and user-friendly, with wellness benefits that are effective & accessible to everyone.

So you can feel like yourself again.

Kevin Menard, LAc., is the leading practitioner in Sports Medicine Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine on the East End of Long Island, with clientele ranging from business executives and fitness professionals to wellness gurus and weekend warriors.

As he cultivated his practice, Kevin began integrating CBD & other cannabinoids, native botanicals, and herbs into his treatments, addressing conditions like pain, musculoskeletal injuries, insomnia, overall wellness, and so much more. 

Following the promising results from his herbal and CBD-infused treatments, Kevin expanded his work, introducing Dragon Hemp to support patient wellness beyond his clinic's walls.

Our Apothecary in Sag Harbor, New York was conceived as a beacon of rejuvenation and wellness in the Hamptons. Much more than a dispensary, at the core of the Dragon Hemp Apothecary is a commitment to education and understanding the benefits of time-honored herbal remedies synthesized with today’s advancements in cannabinoid research. 

Offering an array of products designed to align with the wellness needs of the Hamptons community, the store seeks to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern applications, making herbal medicine more compatible with our lifestyles today. Our unique apothecary in Sag Harbor not only represents a physical space but also embodies Dragon Hemp's ethos of premium, all-natural, effective wellness solutions, drawing from the rich heritage of the Hamptons and the innovative spirit of New York.

Not your conventional dispensary, our first-of-its-kind retail location, harmoniously balances tradition and innovation with an emphasis on experience and education. We invite you to step inside and let our herbal experts guide you on an exploration of the rejuvenating power of cannabinoids and traditional herbs in a setting that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Designed in collaboration with renowned Alfredo Paredes Studio, the apothecary embodies a sophisticated fusion of old-world tradition and contemporary application. Known for his 33-year tenure as Ralph Lauren Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Alfredo Paredes, a master of crafting memorable retail experiences, helped transform the space into a shining gem of Sag Harbor. Reflecting the premium, natural, and therapeutic essence of Dragon Hemp, every aspect of the store, including the unique furniture pieces from Paredes' line, contributes to an ambiance of refined tranquility and wellness. The design echoes a classic herbal pharmacy blended with a modern aesthetic, mirroring our brand ethos of contemporizing ancient herbal medicine for today’s applications. Read more about our Apothecary design in Forbes.

Standing out on Main Street in Sag Harbor with the glow of our distinctive neon sign, our unique retail store has become a design destination of its own -- beyond just wellness -- in one of the Hamptons’ most popular villages. Whether you’re looking for potent natural therapeutics to tackle pain & inflammation or legal THC products to enhance mood or improve sleep, our apothecary is your safe haven at 108 Main Street.

Our products are formulated to serve the four crucial daily needs most often seen in Kevin’s practice—Essential Wellbeing for comprehensive health, Rest & Restoration to foster rejuvenation, Aches & Pains for relief from discomfort, and Liniments for body care that enhances both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Available in four versatile forms—swift-absorbing tinctures, targeted balms, discreet gummies, and moisturizers—we ensure a suitable choice for every lifestyle and wellness routine.

We carefully select our organically grown ingredients, emphasizing sustainability to protect Earth's biodiversity. 

We believe in transparency in all our processes, from ingredient selection to the methods used by our CBD farmers, who lead the sustainable agriculture charge and concentrate on ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.

We're not just about products but about nurturing an understanding of traditional herbal practices and helping people make healthy decisions. 

With respect, we introduce newcomers to the benefits of age old herbal wisdom. 

Our aim is a future where well-being stems from nature, combining timeless knowledge with today's research.

Discover the distinctive characteristics of each herb in our Ingredient Index.