Recently, cannabis products like CBD oil have become increasingly popular among athletes looking for a natural, non-toxic alternative to powerful medications and over-the-counter drugs. Many sports push the human body to the brink of its endurance and capabilities; CBD can assist in the prevention of and recovery from injuries during training and competition.
CBD for athletes has become a popular topic in locker rooms and gyms as a safe alternative to pain medications, not only because it is non-psychoactive and not addictive, but also due to CBD’s effectiveness in supporting health and wellness among athletes.
When our bodies are taken to their limits time and again, it is important to take steps to promote overall health and to properly recover from intense physical exertion. CBD has been demonstrated to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that are now effectively being applied to sports medicine.
CBD regulates immune cells to minimize pain and has the capability of reducing inflammation, helping in the recovery of intense physical activity and even injury. An overwhelming number of pain patients prefer using cannabinoids like CBD for pain over prescription opioids and many are able to reduce or even remove prescription medications from their routines, reducing the risk of overdose or addiction. Even minor pain relief can be more safely managed with CBD rather than NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which when taken frequently can cause an increased risk of heart failure and internal bleeding.
According to the U.S. government patent 6,630,507, CBD is also an effective antioxidant and neuroprotectant. This suggests CBD may protect brain cells.
CBD can be used to simply supplement the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which assists the body in achieving homeostasis (balance).
However, as more and more athletes are coming out in favor of CBD, they are running into prohibitive testing regulations, causing them to either eschew safe CBD oil use for prescription medications or risk sanctions from their sport’s governing bodies.
CBD can be an effective alternative or supplement to the painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication that athletes receive throughout their career. A 2011 study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that 52% of retired National Football League players used opiates during their career, while 71% of them reported some sort of painkillers abuse.
NFL players and other athletes may also benefit from CBD's ability to protect the brain. The NFL is suffering from an epidemic of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative neurological disease caused by concussions and repeated blows to the head. Former NFL All-Pro Nick Lowery, a spokesperson for Kannalife™ Sciences, recently went on a two-day media blitz in order to promote the role CBD can play in preventing CTE. Kannalife™ Sciences is currently working with a license on patent 6,630,507 to develop a CBD-based drug to combat CTE.
More: Medical Marijuana Inc
