Sports and athletics attract competitive individuals who always have to be in their best shape. Owing to the same, there have been inquiries on the recovery process of athletes from physical, cognitive, and physiological viewpoint. The body of research is concerned with providing athletes with solutions for their injuries and exertion while on the field.
Like numerous other organic compounds, marijuana has been analyzed to help relieve players' negative symptoms. It contains CBD and THC compounds, with the former proving effective in treatment circles. CBD is packed with the required nutrients to heal and relax the body. As a medicinal compound, weed is used to treat chronic pain and other ailments.
Treatment Properties of CBD
CBD, one of the major cannabinoids, interacts with the body at a physiological and cognitive level. It chemically interacts with neurotransmitters and receptors, leading to different effects on the body. The question is, can athletes with a range of injuries and exertion benefit from the medicinal value of weed?
Ideally, one of the ways the relaxing cannabis compound works is that it helps with chronic levels of pain. Outside the sports arena, it is widely used for patients with chronic illnesses, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Medical boards have allowed doctors to prescribe cannabis and its products to treat various problems.
On the cognitive level, CBD works on certain issues, such as depression, anxiety, and general sensory function. It interacts with dopamine and serotonin to induce a general feeling of calmness and relaxation. When prescribed to individuals suffering from mood disorders, weed has proven to influence positive behavior change.
Effects of CBD on the Athlete
CBD's effects on the body are inclined towards treatment and relaxation. Scientifically, the compound lacks the psychotropic THC effect. The result of the combination, as mentioned above, is general body relaxation, pain alleviation, and discomfort. What about players?
Due to their life's nature, athletes suffer from bruised skin, aching body parts, and other issues. The body of benefits that results from weed can effectively work on most of the symptoms.
As an alternative treatment, CBD could serve as a pain and relaxation option for athletes. Their use of the same is purely medicinal because it does not lead to a high like THC. Athletes who use marijuana tend to perform better because of the medicinal value of CBD.
Without worrying about aches and stress, the athlete can fully focus on the game. Not forgetting that it heightens the sensory receptors for the players.
Leagues and Sports Corporations' Attitude to Weed Use
As an athlete, you may find yourself in a situation where you need medicinal cannabis yet are unsure of your place in competitions when the use is detected. Athletes, like many other groups of people, need some treatment alternatives now and then. Can athletes freely use weed without facing negative consequences from leagues and sports corporations?
It is also important to note that weed affects the body in general. While it is highly possible for better-focused performance, there may also be a general relaxation. CBD doesn't provide an increased function that gives its user an advantage over other players.
The choice of using weed and its components depends on the consequences of the use. While some sports leagues allow for the use of cannabis, others frown upon it altogether. The way they catch users is through random tests. Is it illegal to play while using marijuana?
In deciding whether players can use weed or not, national leagues and sports corporations look at how it affects their play. The goal of competitions is to gauge the expertise of each individual without the help of anything. Weed as a drug is still being approached with some wariness.
As researchers try to figure out its exact impact on performance, they do advocate for the use of CBD. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently allowed players to use CBD. The assertion comes from the fact that it has healing properties without the high influence of THC. Their support further states that it can be used for Therapeutic Use Exemption. The agency has placed restrictions on weed use to control the prescription of the same.
The overall restrictions require a medical prescription, an assertion that marijuana doesn't boost the player's performance, and others. With proper documentation, athletes who need relief from problems can use cannabis and participate in competitions.
Following the eased restrictions on the use of CBD by athletes, the compound joins the likes of ginseng, green tea, beetroot, and others. While players rely on pharmaceutical alternatives, there is a review on organic compounds that can act as supplements. The goal is to provide various naturally occurring elements that athletes and others can use to facilitate their treatments.
Conclusion
The support for using marijuana as a medicinal alternative has been growing. More and more institutions are exempting their workers from getting tested for cannabis use.
Written by Helga G., Editor and Contributor at AskGrowers.com.
The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.