CBD For Athletes
Is CBD legal for athletes?
The answer to this question is yes. Starting at the beginning of 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances – in or out of competition. (Here is the 2020 WADA Prohibited List.) The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) did the same, and they provide a “Marijuana FAQ” page to clarify the rules. There is an important caveat: ONLY CBD was removed from the prohibited list. The psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, is still prohibited in competition, as are synthetic cannabinoids. The specific wording is: “All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited, e.g.: In cannabis (hashish, marijuana) and cannabis products. Natural and synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols (THCs). Synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC. Except: Cannabidiol.”
Interestingly, WADA set a urinary threshold of 150 nanograms per milliliter for THC, which is substantially more lenient than the previous limit of 15 nanograms per milliliter. The higher threshold is designed to lower the risk of an athlete testing positive due to casual use outside of competition. A USA Today article in 2016 quoted Ben Nichols, a spokesperson for WADA as saying, “Our information suggests that many cases do not involve game or event-day consumption. The new threshold level is an attempt to ensure that in-competition use is detected and not use during the days and weeks before competition.”
Athletes can legally consume cannabidiol, but what is it, what does it do, and why would you use it?
To begin with, cannabinoids already exist in your body. Scientists have identified what they call the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that modulates the activity of neurons. (9) Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, which is also found in cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive.
Benefits of using CBD for Sports Recovery:
Sleep and Relaxation: CBD is known to support healthy sleep cycles without causing drowsiness. Enjoying quality sleep each night is one of the most important aspects of recovery. During sleep is when your body repairs, recharges, balances hormones, and even drops fat.
Reduce Inflammation: Recent studies suggest that CBD may reduce pre and post exercise inflammation. These anti-inflammatory benefits can help you recover faster, improve your training, and avoid delayed muscle soreness.
Pain Relief: Cannabis is an analgesic, which helps to relieve pain both during and after exercise. Many athletes use CBD post-workout to help manage pain from muscle aches, to sore joints, and older injuries.
It’s Anti-Catabolic: Research has shown that CBD has anti-catabolic properties, which means that it can help reduce the breakdown of lean muscle tissue and even help to build more muscle mass. CBD has been shown to decrease the number of catabolic hormones in the body and regulate the stress hormone cortisol, which breaks down muscle tissue to supply the body with blood sugar.
Decreasing Nausea: Intense workouts cause blood flow to be diverted from the stomach which may result in nausea. The anti-emetic effect of CBD helps reduce nausea during and after exercise.
Reduction of Muscle Spasms: Dehydration, muscle sprains, and nerve damage are just a few causes of muscle spasms. Cannabinoids are known to have antispasmodic properties and supplementing with CBD oil may help you reduce these spasms.
Increasing Appetite: Intense workouts require additional calories for optimal recovery and CBD oil may help you to stimulate your appetite in a healthy way.
Cardiovascular Support: With its ability to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation, CBD is currently being researched as a therapeutic solution for cardiovascular diseases.
Thanks to this article published by SpringerOpen.com: https://rdcu.be/cK7Kg we see a number of substantiated statements showcasing the vast benefits of athletes utilizing CBD products to vastly improve their overall conditioning. However, it is of course up to the athlete to ensure that they are indeed consuming ONLY CBD, which can be hard in this era of CBD, in which we see dozens of new providers coming up daily. Using reputable companies like Roka Wellness is so important, as it can easily damage your career if what is listed on the bottle is not actually in line with what is in the product. It is of the utmost importance that you protect your body and your passion, so understanding what you are putting in and on your body is paramount. To that end, whether you choose Roka Wellness or another manufacturer, be sure you can validate the available COA, and do not risk a purchase if there is no COA, or it looks like it may not be up to snuff.
Coach Tim C.
Maryland, VA