Cannabis Recovery: THC & CBD For Athletes

Athletes are a different breed. Our minds are wired differently; we’re used to pitting our will, strength, and skill against others in order to win. While the rewards of victory can be sweet, the sting of defeat can be harsh. Cannabis can be used to help these athletes recover.

Athletes deal with this constant pressure on a daily basis, which is why so many struggle with substance abuse post-career. Many athletes turn to opiates or alcohol as coping mechanisms after their career ends. But what if there was another way?

It’s no secret that cannabis has been beneficial for many recovering froess and anxiety while also easing pain and stress. Cannabis is an excellent way for athletes recovering from injury or trying to avoid future ones.

Let’s take a look at how THC & CBD can help athletes recover — both physically and mentally, thanks to cannabis.

Help Athletes Recover Physically

Many professional athletes are now utilizing cannabis consumption to help with muscle recovery. When it comes to physical healing, cannabis can do wonders for the athlete. Whether it’s a lingering injury from your last game or something you’re trying to avoid, cannabis can help in multiple ways. For starters, it can help with pain management

Whether you have chronic pain or are just recovering from an injury, it can be difficult to find something that works without leading to dependency and addiction. Reducing muscle and joint inflammation is one of the most promising areas of cannabis research

Both THC and CBD, the main compounds found in the cannabis plant, have anti-inflammatory, muscle-relaxing, and pain-relieving effects, which alleviate muscle soreness, muscle spasms, and arthritic joint pain. Reducing muscle and anti inflammatory effects are one of the most promising areas of cannabis research. As well as in the cannabis industry!

We have no scientific evidence THC actually improves aerobic performance, according to a 2017 study analysis out of Australia.

Help Athletes Recover Mentally

As we just discussed, cannabis can help with inflammation, which is not just beneficial for athletes recovering from injury but also for those who are recovering from mental trauma.

Athletes often go through significant traumatic experiences, whether it be a near-death experience, a serious injury, or abuse. Cannabis has shown to help with mental health issues such as anxiety and PTSD, which can be caused by any of these traumatic experiences.

It is important for athletes to be mentally healthy, because mental stress is connected to physical pain. For example, if an athlete is experiencing a lot of anxiety, they will also feel more pain from their injury. Cannabis users have reduced anxiety and therefore reduces the athlete’s pain.

The beneficial effects of CBD on sleep quality, pain relief, and mild traumatic brain injury may be of particular interest to certain athletes.

Help Athletes Manage Pain and Stress

As we’ve discussed, cannabis can help with mental health issues such as anxiety and PTSD. However, it can also help manage physical pain. One of the most common ways in which athletes manage pain is with the use of opiates, such as morphine and codeine.

However, these drugs come with significant risk, including addiction and death. Cannabis is a non-addictive alternative to opioids, which can be particularly beneficial for athletes recovering from an injury or surgery.

Protect Against Brain Injury

As we just discussed, cannabis can help prevent against mental health issues such as anxiety and PTSD, but it can also help protect against brain injuries.

Athletes are prone to brain injuries, especially those in contact sports such as boxing and rugby. Studies have shown that cannabis can reduce the risk of brain injury by up to 50%, which is good news for athletes and their coaches.

How to Incorporate Cannabis into Recovery?

When it comes to exercise recovery, it is important to understand what dosage you are taking and how often. This will largely depend on the type of cannabis you are taking and your specific needs. If you are dealing with pain, it is recommended that you take a low dosage of CBD. Whereas if you are dealing with anxiety you should take a higher dose of THC.

It is important to note, however, everyone is different and it may take some trial and error to figure out the right dosage. If you are using edibles, it is recommended that you do not eat too many of them at once. As it can have very intense side effects. It is also recommended that you do not use cannabis if you have to be active soon as it can cause you to be very lethargic. Which will in turn reduce athletic performance in certain situations!

Final Words

Cannabis is an excellent tool for athletes looking for recovery from an injury or manage pain, both mentally and physically.

The NFL said it would no longer suspend players for positive marijuana tests while limiting testing for the drug to once a year. The NHL does not discipline players for cannabis use as well. Change appears on the horizon for the NBA as well.

It is important to keep in mind that smoking cannabis and sports don’t go together for everyone. It is important to figure out what dosage and strain is right for you and your needs. If you are considering cannabis for recovery from injury, manage pain, or deal with stress, it is important to do your research to make sure you find the best product for you.