CBD Use in Athletes:

Frequently Asked Question:

Is CBD use legal?

Yes: CBD is legal not only for consumption in Ohio, but is also a non-restricted substance in the eyes of the World Anti-Doping Agency and the US Anti Doping-Association for all forms of athletic competition.

Due to the incredibly low THC content in hemp-based products, CBD use could cause an individual to fail a drug test (depending on the circumstances.) It’s recommended that those needing to clear THC screens refrain from use of CBD in those instances.

What are the benefits?

CBD offers numerous clinically backed health benefits, but these are the benefits that are most advantageous to athletes:

Safe Pain Relief:

Not only is CBD consistent in helping users relieve pain and inflammation, it does so without the negative side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAID’s (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) or the addictive qualities of opiate based pain-killers (such as oxycontin.)

Most people are aware of the highly addictive nature of opiate based pain-killers, but noticably fewer are aware of the negative long term side effects of NSAID’s. Increased risk of heart attack and internal bleeding are both more likely in individuals who over-use Ibuprofen, something that can be avoided by using CBD instead.

According to The Essentials of Pain Medicine, Fourth Ed., “There are no documented deaths from cannabis or cannabinoid-based products. In a systemic review of studies of oral and oral-mucosal cannabis for various medical conditions, the majority of adverse events reports were considered non-serious (96.6%).”

Improved Sleep:

Anecdotally, athletes who consume CBD report greater ease going to sleep and a more restful night’s sleep. One potential reason for this could be CBD inhibiting the reuptake of adenosine. (7)

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breaks down as your brain burns carbohydrates for energy, and adenosine gradually accumulates in the brain. By binding to the same receptors adenosine would bind to, CBD may inhibit adenosine reuptake, which helps it accumulate more quickly and makes you feel sleepy sooner. CBD may also have a potent anti-anxiety effect for some people, which can help them get to sleep and sleep more restfully

Improved Gut Health:

CBD may be linked to help people with digestive issues. It has been shown to help with the swelling of the stomach and stomach bloating. These products are also known to help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome too.

CBD helps with gut mobility as well. Gut mobility is the stretching of the gut in the GI tract. Many doctors have discussed that inflammation can be brought down with CBD oils and an anti-inflammatory diet.

Inflammation in the small and large intestines causes a lot of discomfort, and GI distress is one of the leading reasons endurance athletes drop out of races. CBD won’t solve stomach problems from dehydration and overheating (two major causes for athletes), but if you have underlying inflammation issues that contribute to gut problems during or after exercise, it may be effective for reducing your symptoms.