CBD used by Olympic Athletes for the first year
The 2021 Olympics in Tokyo is the first in which athletes can legally use CBD.
In 2017, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from their list of prohibited substances for professional athletes representing a huge step forward for athletes who incorporate CBD into their training regime. However, as this change did not come into effect until January 1, 2018, the Olympic athletes had no time to incorporate CBD into their training programs for the winter games being held in South Korea the following month. This means the 2021 Olympic Games is the first games to really show the long-term results of training with CBD.
“Every time you get a better night’s sleep, every time you recover better from the last batch of exercise, then your performance is going to be better the next time.” – Forbes Magazine
Why are athletes using CBD?
- For recovery
CBD is believed to help support recovery from exercise-induced inflammation – this may mean athletes can train harder and longer for better performance. For targeted therapy, topicals like our cooling muscle and joint creams contain ingredients like CBD and menthol for direct relief for sore muscles and joints.
“CBD has become part of my all-natural recovery system that I use throughout the day to help with pain and inflammation, stabilize my mood and get better sleep. (…) I use them right after training, pop in a gummy or gel capsule for pain and to calm me down, then another gummy in the afternoon to relax, then the night tincture right before bed for better sleep. It’s truly part of my entire day.” – Megan Rapinoe, US Women’s Soccer Olympian
- For pain management
In the world of sport, more and more athletes are turning to natural methods to cure their ailments and are abandoning opioids, which can be highly addictive. During their rigorous Olympic training, many athletes have to treat injuries or pain and many of them are seeking alternatives to addictive, mind-altering pain medications.
- For sleep
Sleep is absolutely crucial for athletes to recover well and build muscle. It’s recommended that the average person get 7-8 hours a night, but for pro athletes, it’s more like 8-10. Why not try our SleepWell oil and rest like an athlete?
- For mental health
Pro athletes have to deal with a lot of stress, CBD may help support the management of everyday stress and could potentially help with a sense of calm for better focus. In recent weeks, we have seen two athletes; Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles pull out of big tournaments due to mental health struggles, if more athletes had access to regular CBD, would these situations be different?
Unfortunately, many sportspeople that have used CBD extensively in their training regimes, aren’t actually taking CBD while in Tokyo. The reason? Even though CBD isn’t prohibited in professional sports, THC (another cannabinoid) is. So, athletes need to be careful that their CBD product contains zero or very little of the banned substance otherwise they might risk testing positive and being disqualified from their events. Another reason is, while the athletes have been using CBD leading up to the competition, they will not be able to bring their CBD products with them to Japan. The regulatory environment makes taking products made from cannabis across some international borders risky, combined with Japan’s strict anti-cannabis laws, it’s safer for athletes to leave their CBD at home.
Overall:
CBD has become an essential part of many athletes’ routines, offering potential benefits for recovery, pain management, sleep, and mental well-being. With WADA removing CBD from its banned substances list, more professional athletes are exploring its uses in their training regimens. However, due to strict international regulations and THC restrictions, many Olympians still face challenges incorporating CBD into competition settings. As awareness grows and regulations evolve, CBD may continue to play a significant role in sports recovery and performance enhancement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before using CBD or any supplement, especially if you are an athlete subject to drug testing.
