Cannabis is often summarized for its recreational version and the effects psychotropics brought by THC that is the only psychotropic molecule present in hemp. From now on, other molecules are studied, isolated, and worked, specially cannabidiol or CBD.
We already talk many times in our previous articles about the therapeutic purpose potential that CBD would present : painkiller–inflammatory phenomenon, anti-anxiolytic, anti-psychotic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, etc... Thanks to all of the superpowers assigned to this plant since time immemorial, cannabis could become a good ally for athletics.
THE BENEFITS RAISED BY HIGH-LEVEL ATHLETES AND ATHLETES
Studies have shown CBD interacts with specific brain receptors qui réagissent à la perception des pains and inflammation. For the professional athletes using CBD, it would be benefic for many reasons after an intense practice of sports activity, but also before.
BEFORE EXERCISE
- Amelioration of pre-game concentration and encouragement of risk taking
– Reduction of stress before competition
– Energy gain without the consequent nervousness of other stimulants such as coffee or other energy drinks.
AFTER EXERCISE
– Reduction of muscle cramps, body aches..
– Acceleration of muscle recovery by reducing inflammation.
– Reduction of pains, which allows high-level athletes to better withstand intense training loads.
– Improved quality of sleep which indirectly induces better physical and mental recovery..
– Substitution of painkillers based on highly addictive opioids.
MOST FREQUENT CONSUMPTION MODES BY PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES
As we have discussed in this article, there are different ways to consume CBD :
So what are the methods favored by athletes?
- CBD oil : CBD oils can be used in two different ways by athletes : in a classic way, as a food supplement, by depositing daily few drops under the tongue several times a day and specially with a training or a competition. In local application directly on the parts of the body affected after the effort.
– CBD food products : Whether cakes, energy bars, sweets or drinks, CBD food products are very popular with athletes. This is due to the fact that the consumption is done orally, with longer and more powerful effects without damaging the health !
– Creams and balms with CBD extracts : They are also highly appreciated and their use by athletes is becoming more and more frequent.
Indeed, cream act in the same way than the balms, gels and other ointments that they already use to relieve the various pains caused by their practice (muscle and joint pain, hematomas, etc.)
A simple local application on painful areas of the body would soothe the pain.
SPORTS LEGISLATION
It's the 1st january 2018 that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)removed CBD from the doping substanceslist, thanks to all of the reports highlighting the effectiveness of CBD on athletes regarding the physical and mental mainly.
In its report, the AMA specifies that " cannabidiol is no longer prohibited”. It is important to specify that it must be isolated CBD and not Full Spectrum and must contain no trace of THC for anti-doping controls.
Because of this new sports regulation, it became normal to see its use promoted by many sportsmen and women in several sports such as combat sports, US sports (NBA, NFL, Base Ball) cycling, etc.
It has to be noted that the last World Cup which took place in 2018 in Russia was the first ultra popular world competition to allow the consumption of CBD, and this, without risk for the players' career (in the event of anti-doping control .)
At the same time, the International Surfing Federation (World Surf League) has given its agreement for the consumption of CBD to surfers participating in competitions for health reasons to respond to the proliferation of drugs and other opioids which have a very negative impact on the metabolism and life of consumers.
EXAMPLES OF ATHLETES WHO HAVE ADOPTED CBD
Many athletes and top athletes use CBD in a sports setting. You will find below a list of sports and athletes who communicated on this point.
US SPORTS
Before listing some examples, it is important to see some statistics provided by study conducted in 2011 by researchers at the American University of St Louis. In particular, we learn that :
– 52% of retired players from the NFL (American Football League) have used treatment based on opioides.
-71 of them declare an abuse in the use of these painkillers.
At the same time, this study told us that 50% of NFL players and 80% of NBA players used CBD and practiced self-medication by consuming cannabis derivatives for its medical properties.
BASKETBALL
Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden Warriors (Triple winner of the NBA in 2015, 2017 and 2018) declared "I am not an expert on the subject but I know one thing: if you are an American football player, that you have severe pain, I don't think you can argue thatweed is better than Vicodin«
Le Vicodin is an analgesic powerfull and addictive. He adds "I am not talking about recreational use, but well about painkillers, what is better for the health of our players ?"
And finish by " It's a question of time before that cannabis become allowed by sports leagues, because education will go beyond the perception of this product. »
Kevin Durant, one of the best players in the NBA and coached by Steeve Kerr, backed up the remarks via a press release declaring that "the world of the NBA is in agreement with Steve Kerr".
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
American Football is an ultra-physicalteam sport. During matches, many purple shocks occur between players and cause physical trauma. Repeated shocks often lead to memory problems, headaches, arthritis and chronic pain. To substitute the treatment of these medical problems with powerful painkillers , CBD is a good option.
A fight is led by the actors of this sport of the NFL (American Football League) so that it authorizes CBD as a non-prohibited painkiller–douleur non prohibé.
Culen Jenkins, former glory of the famous New York Giants team, revealed that he used opioides and alcohol to support pain and to sleepIn 2016, following his retirement from sport, the addiction to these painkillers and other drugs brought him to depression. He also claimed that “CBD changed his life” and invested in a cannabis company : Fresh Farm CBD.
Eugene Monroe, a former American football player, ended his professional career at the age of only 29 due to many brain injuries caused by repeated shocks during matches. He became one of the figures of sports cannabis activists by talking about the decriminalization of therapeutic cannabis and its removal from the list of doping products in the NFL.
COMBAT SPORTS
They are diverse and varied, but here is a discipline whose champions are already using CBD: MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Two of the main reasons for this use : better pre-game concentration and a better physical and mental recovery.
Bas Rutten, former world champion of UFC (international league of MMA) consumed CBD oil. He used it for two reasons : the first, to heal his physical trauma and psychic trauma. He even claims that with CBD, his knee was healed faster than the doctors expected.
The second reason is to end his addiction to painkillers and opioids. Indeed, these are used in an abusive way because they allow to quickly relieve the pains but are dangerously addictive.
In this article, he concludes by affirming that the rate of opioid abuse has greatly decreased in American states where medical cannabis and CBD products are legal.
Nate Diaz, current MMA fighter has publicly stated several times that he uses cannabis. His most publicized outing on this subject being a press conference after a fight against the star of this discipline, Conan Mac Gregor, in which he presented himself while vaping CBD oil.
CYCLING AND TRIATHLON
Floyd Landis is obviously associated with his victory in the Tour de France 2006, title since withdrawn due to doping (testosterone tested positive). What is less known is that he discovered at the end of his career the painkiller-inflammatory powers painkiller–inflammatory attributed to CBD.
After ending his professional career, he opened a cannabis dispensary in Colorado, a state where medicinal cannabis has been authorized since 2000.
Andrew Talansky, practiced professional cycling for 7 years, Today he moved on triathlon (a sport combining swimming, cycling and running) which requires more intense training corresponding to several hours a day.
Since he started his new discipline, he found that his body was constantly inflammed (the body is not made naturally for more than 2 hours a day of intensive sport). He therefore followed the example of many athletes abandoning classic painkiller–pains classiques (type (ibuprofen type)to turn entirely to CBD.
EXTREME SPORTS
Tanner Hall, freestyle skier and pioneer in CBD. Tanner Hall is one of the most gifted freestyle skiers of his generation with a specialty in Half Pipe and has won many major competitions (several victories and podiums at the X-Games to his credit).
Like most part of extreme sports enthusiasts, Tanner Hall has encountered serious injuries during his sports career (fractures, ruptured ligaments, among others). To counter the pain and speed up his return to activity, he preferred to opt for CBD instead of using painkillers derived from opioids wich can be addictive.
CONCLUSION
Consuming CBD before sport would seem to have beneficial effects on pre-game concentration and more and more athletes consume it to be more effective during their training sessions. After sport, CBD could help you to recover faster and without the risk of addiction.
So if top athletes consume it, why not you ?
Obviously, there is a big difference in the intensity of the effort but whatever it is, CBD is able to help you on a daily basis !
