The conversation around CBD (cannabidiol) in sports is changing rapidly as more athletes and sports organizations open up to its potential benefits. 

Once viewed with skepticism, CBD is gaining acceptance as a viable option for pain management and recovery, thanks to changing regulations and growing advocacy by high-profile athletes. 

Let’s explore how the sports world is changing its policies around CBD, look at athletes who are openly talking about their positive experiences with CBD, and how CBD could be helpful in the athletic world.

World Anti-Doping Agency’s Stance on CBD

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), established in 1999, plays a crucial role in regulating substances allowed in sports around the globe. 

In 2019, WADA took CBD off its list of banned substances. However, all other natural and synthetic cannabinoids are banned, including THC, so athletes need to be careful when choosing CBD products, as they may contain cannabinoids that could result in a positive test for prohibited substances. 

CBD Regulations and Promotion in Sports

Despite WADA’s guidelines, sports organizations have the autonomy to establish their own rules regarding CBD and other cannabinoids. This is the stance of some of the most popular sports on CBD use:

Mixed Martial Arts

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has taken big steps in exploring how CBD could benefit its fighters. They partnered with a cannabis company to do extensive research on the potential benefits of CBD, focusing on pain relief, inflammation reduction, and recovery enhancement. 

Additionally, UFC President Dana White shared his personal experience with CBD oil following shoulder surgery, stating:

CBD is the future… If this is a viable option and the research is out there that this can help athletes or anybody, any human being that’s in pain, I believe this is the future. Certainly, not even from a scientific point of view but from common sense, a synthetic drug versus a chemical coming from a plant, it makes a lot of sense. It’s probably going to be a lot healthier and safer for you. And that’s why we’re doing the science and research. But anecdotally at least, the feedback has been really positive.

Football

The National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) have collectively invested over $500,000 in research grants to explore innovative pain management strategies, including CBD. 

These studies aim to discover alternative treatments that could benefit players and reduce reliance on prescription medications. Past funding has also been allocated to research focusing on the neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids.

Baseball

In 2020, Major League Baseball (MLB) updated its drug policy to allow CBD use. By 2022, MLB struck a sponsorship deal with a CBD company, allowing its logo to appear on certified products, making it the first of the major U.S. sports leagues to do so.

Golf

The PGA Tour has adopted a cautious approach to CBD, warning players about potential THC contamination in CBD products due to limited regulation. Despite this, many professional golfers, including Bubba Watson and Lucas Glover, openly discuss the personal benefits they’ve experienced, such as improved sleep and recovery.

Hockey

The National Hockey League (NHL) does not categorize cannabis as a banned substance. While players can choose to join the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program if high THC levels are found, it is not mandatory. 

The NHL Alumni Association has been proactive in exploring cannabis-based therapies for injury treatment, collaborating with a cannabis producer to study CBD’s potential positive effects on neurological injuries in retired players.

Basketball

In 2023, the National Basketball Association (NBA) removed cannabis from its list of substances subject to testing. 

While players are now permitted to endorse and invest in CBD companies, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) continues to enforce strict cannabis regulations.

Athletes Advocating for CBD

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe, a soccer player, has spoken about how she incorporates CBD into her daily routine to manage pain and inflammation, and improve sleep quality. She views CBD as a natural alternative to traditional pain medications like Advil.

Cliff Robinson

Late NBA star Cliff Robinson was a passionate advocate for cannabis decriminalization. He challenged stereotypes about cannabis users, asserting that it can be part of an active lifestyle.

Billy Horschel

Professional golfer Billy Horschel credits CBD with improving his performance and overall well-being. As an investor in a CBD company, he believes the stigma surrounding cannabis is fading, and CBD’s potential is gaining recognition within the golf community.

Connor McDavid

NHL player Connor McDavid supports exploring CBD as a pain management tool. He emphasizes the importance of safety and efficacy, noting:

You don’t want to be taking pain stuff and taking Advil all the time… You’re seeing a lot of really smart doctors look into it. If all the boxes are checked and it’s safe and everything, then I think you would maybe want to hear them out.

Final Thoughts

The world of sports is rapidly changing as CBD gains more and more acceptance. Once a taboo subject, it’s now openly discussed by athletes and embraced by major sports leagues. 

While research is still ongoing, the potential benefits for pain management, recovery, and overall well-being are promising. 

As more athletes share their positive experiences, the stigma surrounding CBD is gradually diminishing. Are you ready to experience the potential benefits of CBD for yourself? Discover Vitality’s high-quality CBD oils, and salves today.

References

Aychman, M. M., Goldman, D. L., & Kaplan, J. S. (2023). Cannabidiol’s neuroprotective properties and potential treatment of traumatic brain injuries. Frontiers in neurology, 14, 1087011. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1087011 

McCartney, D., Benson, M. J., Desbrow, B., Irwin, C., Suraev, A., & McGregor, I. S. (2020). Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: a Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research. Sports medicine – open, 6(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00251-0 

Rojas-Valverde, D., & Fallas-Campos, A. (2023). Cannabidiol in sports: insights on how CBD could improve performance and recovery. Frontiers in pharmacology, 14, 1210202. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1210202