Incorporating Cannabinoid Products as an Athlete

Incorporating Cannabinoid Products as an Athlete

When contemplating an image of the average cannabinoid user, who comes to mind first? You’re most likely imagining a lazy, unmotivated couch potato and we honestly, we don’t blame you. It’s what’s been portrayed in film and literature for generations.

But, in reality, there are a wide variety of people that appreciate cannabinoid products. There’s cancer patients looking for natural relief, stressed out parents and grandparents trying to catch a break, and athletes hoping to improve their game. Yes, you heard us right – even athletes tap into the benefits of the cannabis plant. But, how?

The answer is actually rather obvious. When analyzing the situation objectively, athletes using cannabinoid products makes perfect sense. As people that are constantly in motion – running, lifting, throwing and diving – athletes put a ton of wear and tear on their bodies. On top of that, they quite literally experience the “night before the big game” anxiety on a regular basis. Many turn to Tylenol or heavier, more addictive painkillers, which, over time, tend to do anyone more harm than good. Cannabinoids, on the other hand, provide athletes a more natural, multifunctional path to recovery.

For example, many athletes use Delta-8 THC, a legal cannabis derivative made popular based on its similarities to the Delta-9 compound found in your average bowl pack. Delta-8 has been found to attach to pain receptors in the same way painkillers do. Delta-8 is also known to be calming while lacking many of the psychoactive traits of Delta-9 which allows athletes to relax and keep their head in the game. Another, less-discovered but equally powerful cannabinoid product for athletes is the non-psychoactive CBG, or Cannabigerol. Enjoy CBG on its own in CBG tinctures or in conjunction with other cannabinoids in full-spectrum tinctures.

That being said, athletes should do their research before incorporating cannabinoid products into their routines. It’s also critical to be sure to understand the rules within their individual sports organization before experimenting. While CBD was removed from The World Doping Agency’s list of  prohibited substances in 2018, THC as well as many other cannabinoids are still illegal to use on the professional level, as we all witnessed with U.S. track star Sha’carri Richardson’s recent suspension from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. But, as more research regarding the benefits of cannabinoids is published, and as public perception continues to shift as we see happening with the situation with Richardson, athletes’ incorporation of cannabinoid products is bound to grow and evolve.