Cannabidiol, widely known as CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from cannabis. Its popularity has exploded recently, with users across all ages seeking relief from various symptoms. Athletes stand out, increasingly incorporating CBD into their routines for performance and recovery.
What's driving this trend? Anecdotal reports are plentiful, backed by growing clinical research highlighting CBD's potential to ease pain and anxiety. Today, top athletes openly use and endorse CBD products.
CBD is one of 144 cannabinoids in hemp, one of humanity's oldest cultivated plants. Hemp has long been valued for industrial applications like paper, plastics, and construction, plus its nutritional benefits. Unlike THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis—CBD doesn't cause a high.
Cannabinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates pain, mood, appetite, and immune function through natural endocannabinoids.
Research, though emerging, includes clinical trials showing CBD's efficacy for pain, stress, and anxiety.
Anxiety: A modern epidemic, anxiety responds to CBD's action on CB1 and serotonin receptors. This boosts natural anandamide and serotonin, helping regulate mood and reduce depression symptoms.
Pain: Whether from injury or chronic conditions, pain drives many to CBD. It modulates pain signals via the ECS and provides anti-inflammatory effects, making it effective in topical creams.
Elite athletes are vocal advocates. Pro golfer Bubba Watson (Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson Jr.) and MMA fighter Jessica-Rose Clark endorse brands. It's also big in BMX, FMX, surfing, skateboarding, and beyond. "I have personally experienced the benefits of CBD products," Watson shares.
Same theme: Cannabis during pregnancy; confirmed damage to the baby
Athletes apply CBD topically via lotions for muscle soreness or take it sublingually (oils), orally (capsules), or as edibles for broader relief.
The high-stakes world of pro sports often breeds anxiety—CBD's calming properties offer a natural edge.
Regulators are adapting: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its prohibited list in 2017, with many organizations following. While some still advise caution, athletes confidently support trusted brands amid a maturing market.
Sources: USADA, Canex
