Helpful Studies and Articles
1. High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within Male Professional Rugby Union and
League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and Enhanced Recovery
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32732454/
Citation: Kasper, Andreas M et al., High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within
Male Professional Rugby Union and League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and
Enhanced Recovery 30 International J of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism
315, 315–322 (Sep. 1, 2020) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32732454/.
Summary: With Rugby being known for frequent high-intensity collisions,
resulting in muscle soreness, players seek strategies to reduce soreness and
accelerate recovery, with an emerging method being cannabidiol (CBD).
Professional male players were recruited to complete a survey on CBD, twenty-
five teams provided 517 player responses, leading to positive findings.
2. Opioid Use in Athletes: A Systematic Review
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1941738120933542
Citation: Seper Ekhtiari, MD, Opioid Use in Athletes: A Systematic Review, Sage
Journals (Aug. 06, 2020)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1941738120933542.
Summary: A study was made in order to seek answers to the following questions: (1)
what are the rates of opioid use and misuse among athletes, (2) do these rates differ
compared with the non athletic population, and (3) are there specific subgroups of the
athletic population (eg, based on sport, level of play) who may be at higher risk? The
study found opioid use being prevalent among athletes, and use during an athlete's
career predicts postretirement use. This issue exists even at the high school level, with
similar rates to professional athletes.
Stats: Opioid use over a National Football League career was 52%. High school
athletes had lifetime opioid use rates of 28% to 46%. Use of opioids while playing
predicted use of opioids in retirement.
3. CBD for Athletes: What You Need to Know About Cannabidiol
Link: https://trainright.com/cbd-for-athletes-cannabidiol/
Citation: Chris Carmichael, CBD for Athletes: What You Need to Know About
Cannabidiol, CTS (last visited Feb. 08, 2024), https://trainright.com/cbd-for-
athletes-cannabidiol/.
Summary: The article discusses the physical stress that athletes put on their
bodies. While training stress can lead to improved performance, it can also result
in injury and chronic pain. Current methods of pain management, such as over the
counter pain relievers and opioids, have been effective but pose significant health
risks. As a result, many athletes are interested in using CBD as an alternative for
pain relief and reducing inflammation. This is imperative given the well
documented risks involving opioids.
Stats: Cannabinoids binding to CB2 receptors may have an anti-inflammatory
effect by reducing cytokine (cell messengers) production. CBD bound to CB2 receptors
help dial down the response when your immune system sounds the alarm after hard
workouts.
Stats: 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 issues from dehydration and overheating (two major
causes for athletes), but regarding underlying inflammation issues that contribute
to gut problems during or after exercise, CBD may be effective for reducing
symptoms.
Reference: Prakash Nagarkatti et al., Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory
drugs, Future Science (Oct. 19, 2009), https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.09.93.
4. Title: Elite Athletes Tolerate Topical CBD Treatment With Minor Side Effects,
Study Finds
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2023/04/06/elite-athletes-tolerate-
topical-cbd-treatment-with-minor-side-effects-study-finds/?sh=468edf875862
Citation: Dario Sabaghi, Elite Athletes Tolerate Topical CBD Treatment With Minor
Side Effects, Study Finds, Forbes (Apr. 06, 2023, 6:00 AM),
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2023/04/06/elite-athletes-tolerate-topical-cbd-
treatment-with-minor-side-effects-study-finds/?sh=468edf875862.
Summary: Researchers from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
collaborated with the Tiger Research Group (TRG) in a study being the first of its kind to
assess how topical CBD can help elite athletes manage pain. Finding that topical CBD
significantly benefits elite athletes struggling with chronic lower extremity pain while
finding that it did not lead to any severe adverse reactions that require medical attention.
Participants included 20 former athletes who played professional sports for 3-10 years
(14 individuals actually completing the study), including American football (only male
participants), track and field (both male and female participants), and basketball (only
female participants). The athletes were treated with a 10mg CBD cream applied twice
daily using a controlled dispenser.
Stats: The study showed that 100% of the participants reported improvement in their
pain-related disability in their daily activities.
Stats: 93% reported improvement in recreational, social, occupational, and life-support
activities, and 86% reported improvement in self-care.