Olympic-level athletes report that CBD is an effective recovery aid, providing benefits such as pain relief, relaxation, and improved sleep, according to recent research. The recently published study found that elite athletes use cannabidiol (CBD) to manage pain, improve sleep, and relieve stress associated with competing at the international level.
The study, first reported by the cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment, was conducted by researchers affiliated with McGill University and the Canadian Sport Institute. They published a report on their research this month in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
“The primary objective of this study was to characterize the use, rationale, and perceived benefits of CBD use by elite-level athletes in Canada,” the authors of the study wrote. “The secondary objectives were to (1) identify the sources of information that influence CBD use, (2) describe how athletes are using CBD, and (3) explore the barriers or deterrents to its use.”
Researchers Surveyed Olympians and Paralympians
To complete the study, which kicked off in late 2021 and continued through mid-2023, researchers interviewed 80 Canadian athletes representing 27 national sports organizations. Only athletes who had competed as members of the Canadian Olympic or Paralympic teams qualified to participate in the study. The researchers found that CBD was effective for the pain and stress associated with Olympic-level competition, with nearly four out of 10 athletes reporting they had used CBD at some point in their careers.
“Thirty-eight percent of athletes self-reported using CBD, and cumulatively agreed or strongly agreed that CBD improved sleep and relaxation, reduced pain from training, and enhanced physical and mental recovery following training or competition,” the researchers wrote.
The survey also showed that of those who reported using CBD at some point, nearly a third said they were using the cannabinoid at the time of the survey. But the findings also showed that the athletes were concerned that using CBD could carry risks of running afoul of international anti-doping rules, a misstep that could sideline their careers.
When asked about their reasons for using the compound, 96% of CBD users said that they believed it was safe, 93% said it helped them sleep better, nine out of 10 said it helped them relax, and just over three-quarters (77%) said it helped reduce the aches and pains associated with training.
Researchers Note Risk of Anti-Doping Violations
The World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from its list of banned substances in 2018. However, all other cannabinoids, including THC, remain prohibited, creating a condition the authors describe as “a fine line between unintentional doping and intentional use of cannabis products.”
The researchers note that most commercially available CBD formulations contain trace amounts of THC and other banned cannabinoids. Athletes who use such products may be putting themselves at risk of an anti-doping violation, a factor cited by most participants who chose not to use CBD at all or who decided to stop using the cannabinoid after they started.
“Many athletes expressed concerns about the potential for inadvertent anti-doping rule violations due to CBD product contamination with THC or other banned cannabinoids,” they wrote.
The authors noted that “some CBD-fortified foods and beverages have been reported to convert CBD into THC under low pH conditions…potentially yielding sufficient THC (3 mg) to trigger a positive urine test for prohibited cannabinoids.” The researchers also reported that physical exertion before testing may elevate THC levels.
Many of the athletes surveyed reported learning about CBD from friends or online rather than from sports physicians or trainers. In their conclusion, the authors called for more education for athletes and their doctors.
“Given that athletes frequently reported obtaining information on CBD from friends and online sources,” the authors wrote, “there is also a need to test interventions that enhance evidence-based knowledge among both athletes and clinicians.”
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