6 Reasons Pro Athletes Believe CBD Gives Them an Edge

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There is a constant search for performance-enhancing substances that can provide elite athletes with that elusive advantage. Because sometimes mere milliseconds can make the difference between a touchdown and an interception, athletes are looking for legal substances that can provide that extra little nudge. But finding such extensions is not easy. Dietary supplements must comply with strict anti-doping laws and must also be safe.

Many professional athletes are turning to CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid with anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties: properties that are ideal for athletes looking to improve their physical and mental performance.

Some believe CBD is a game-changing supplement, including current and former NFL players like Derrick Morgan, Rob Gronkowski, and Brett Favre. Athletes across different sports have reported benefits such as accelerated recovery from injuries, healthier sleep, and less muscle pain.

But many still have questions.

See Also: Rob Gronkowski Tackles the CBD Business

Is CBD Safe for Elite Athletes?

According to Eloise Theisen, President of the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) and Chief Executive Officer of Radicle Health, there is certainly evidence that athletes can benefit from CBD as a dietary supplement, but much remains unknown.

“Research into the therapeutic benefits of CBD is still evolving, and there is some evidence that it may help with pain, insomnia, anxiety, and muscle spasms,” says Theisen.

“Recently, we’re seeing more athletes looking to use CBD for muscle recovery, pain relief, as a mood stabilizer, and sleep aid,” she explains. “CBD can provide many benefits without too many side effects – from a safety standpoint, CBD has fewer side effects than prescription and over-the-counter medications, and the World Health Organization has recognized CBD as safe with no potential for abuse.”

But Theisen also warns that we need more research to better understand therapeutic uses and dosages, as well as long-term benefits and side effects.

So what exactly does the science say? How can CBD specifically support top athletes – and those of us who want to reach such heights?

Is elite-level CBD legal?

While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) considers THC, the other primary cannabinoid in cannabis, an illegal substance, CBD isolate is approved as a legal substance. WADA removed cannabidiol from its banned list in January 2018. However, athletes consuming CBD must ensure they are using approved CBD isolates, as the presence of even trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD products can be enough to fail a urine test.

A recent 2020 study found that athletes using CBD products may also be unknowingly ingesting banned cannabinoids at lower levels — such as CBG, CBN, CBC, and CBDV — found in broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD products are. The study authors reported that athletes who use CBD must educate themselves about the risks associated with CBD use to avoid an inadvertent anti-doping rule violation.

According to a 2020 report in Sports Medicine and another 2020 report published in Pharmacological Research, CBD can benefit athletes in the following ways.

1. Copes with stage fright, stress and anxiety conditioning

Everyone experiences anxiety-provoking situations – but athletes often face these situations more often than the general population. Stage fright before an event can cause insomnia, increase energy expenditure, and interfere with food intake.

Most critically, anxiety can negatively impact performance itself and inhibit recovery after an event. CBD has been shown to decrease perceived anxiety before, during, and after anxiety-provoking situations. Interestingly, preclinical studies in animals also suggest that CBD may also enhance fear memory processes by impairing fear acquisition. This particular trait could be beneficial for athletes recovering from a sports-related injury, such as a crash. a concussion, stress, fear or trauma.

2. Protects against gastrointestinal damage

Athletes who train hard can reduce oxygen and impede nutrient delivery to their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastrointestinal stress can negatively impact exercise performance and recovery due to nausea, vomiting, and impaired food intake.

The 2020 Sports Medicine Study reported that CBD may protect against gastrointestinal damage by reducing tissue damage and restoring gut permeability. A leaky gut is more able to absorb nutrients from food.

3. Reduces Inflammation

CBD can help relieve inflammatory pain associated with tissue damage and neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage or irritation. This could be a key benefit for endurance athletes, as repetitive or extended workouts can trigger inflammation and irritation in peripheral nerves.

Based on the pharmacology of how CBD interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, CBD may also help treat pain, general inflammation, or swelling caused by injury.

The Pharmacological Research study reported that CBD could become an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids or corticosteroids. The authors also suggested that despite a current paucity of studies examining the use of CBD specifically in the treatment of sports injuries, the data point to the cannabinoid’s potential use in the treatment of osteoarthritis, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and overuse injuries Clues.

4. Boosts bone health

Healthy bones are essential for athletes, but bone health can be compromised by traumatic injuries or insufficient energy availability. Research in the Sports Medicine Review suggests that CBD may aid in healthy bone deposition and fracture healing.

5. Provides neuroprotective properties

CBD’s neuroprotective properties may be therapeutic to counteract the damage that can occur after an exercise-induced concussion. These concussions are considered a variant of mild traumatic brain injury and can lead to serious long-term complications such as brain damage.

The authors of the Pharmacological Research study highlight recent research in an animal model that has shown the usefulness of CBD in treating symptoms (such as depression or aggression) resulting from minor traumatic brain injuries.

CBD oil may also help counteract neuronal damage in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. The cannabinoid also inhibits oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, conferring further neuroprotective benefits. Such results are promising, especially since no pharmacotherapies are currently available to treat mild traumatic brain injuries.

6. Supports sleep and wake cycles

There is still controversy surrounding the effects of CBD on sleep. Anecdotal reports often support its effectiveness, while data from human populations suggest negligible effects. Research in animal models has discovered that CBD can induce sleep and act as a wakefulness-promoting agent.

These seemingly opposing effects, known as biphasic, depend on the dose used. Lower doses of CBD appear to promote alertness, while higher doses appear to be calming. Both properties can be particularly beneficial for athletes. A good night’s sleep before a big race can be invaluable while staying awake, and alertness is more useful for athletes competing in long-distance events.

The bottom line? While the mechanisms underlying these CBD properties remain to be elucidated, these preliminary observations highlight CBD as a possible tool to support athletes’ sleep patterns.

More studies examining the effects of CBD on human athlete populations are needed to more accurately assess its benefits and long-term effects.

Reviews of sports medicine and pharmacology research emphasize the preliminary nature of their findings, suggesting that while CBD shows promise for athletes, more conclusive research is needed.

But as long as NFL athletes continue to tout the benefits of CBD, the cannabinoid’s profile will continue to rise.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2022/01/29/6-reasons-pro-athletes-believe-cbd-gives-them-an-edge/