CBD for Football Players

CBD OIL FOR FOOTBALL

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been described in the popular press as being safer than opioids and maybe a better alternative for managing chronic pain in American football players. CBD is a great way for football players to better center their focus before and after practice and games. It may provide a sense of clarity and calmness. 

CBD products may help football athletes in numerous performance and therapeutic areas, such as improved muscle recovery, improved sense of focus, as well as being a pain-alleviating and anxiety-reducing agent. 

Current pain management methods for athletes may be effective, yes, but unfortunately, they are also highly addictive and can be fatal. Furthermore, athletes are searching for alternative pain management options to improve their sports recovery and develop safe pain-relieving methods. Many individuals have been asking about using cannabidiol for athletes, should you be too?

WHAT IS CBD FOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS?

Cannabidiol (CBD) for football athletes is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, providing you feelings of calmness, focus, and relaxation, without any “high”. 

So with injury comes pain, right? That’s how the saying goes? Traditionally, pharmaceuticals have been a go-to for years for athletes with injuries. Don’t these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a whole slew of side effects that could potentially do more harm than good? Are there natural options available for pain? 

Long story short, within our endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD binds indirectly with our cannabinoid receptors, aka, one of the reasons why won’t really feel a “high”. 

CBD can be extracted from either the marijuana plant or the hemp plant. Hemp-derived CBD contains 0.00 - 0.03% THC, unlike marijuana-derived CBD may contain up to 0.3% THC or more. THC binds directly with our cannabinoid receptors, hence, why we feel a stronger “euphoria”. 

IS IT LEGAL FOR PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ATHLETES TO USE CBD PRODUCTS?

It is not legal for professional football players to use some CBD products. According to the National Football League (2020), “The NFL’s current drug policy includes a ban on THC, a substance found in marijuana and some CBD products. Cannabis remains a banned substance under the NFL Policy for Substances of Abuse.”

However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may suggest otherwise in recent years (2018 to be exact). Their website lays it out nice and easy: “All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited except for cannabidiol (CBD).” 

Keep in mind though, all other cannabinoids, including THC, are still prohibited in competition. Football athletes are strictly liable for any substance found in their blood or urine. Plus, some CBD products may contain THC, as such, there are still risks that football players need to carefully look out for when it comes to what’s exactly in your CBD products. 

WILL CBD SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST FOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS?

CBD may or may not show up on a drug test, research is still much inconclusive as drug screenings may test for different substances. 

Pure CBD has been preliminarily shown to not show up on a drug test. However, THC, even present in minor traces, within or without a CBD product, may show up on a drug test. 

Since very little research has been done on flagging CBD in football players and drug tests, it’s better to be safe than sorry here. Football athletes taking hemp-derived CBD may be “in the clear” for passing a drug test, but again, it depends on the array of substances the drug test is checking for as well as the football player’s liability to potentially take a substance that is not yet detailed in the research in regards to passing or failing a drug test. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD FOR FOOTBALL SPORT ATHLETES?

The cannabis plant has been described as being a generally safe and non-toxic compound, being safer than traditional opioids. Utilizing the therapeutic potential of CBD oil may be a viable option for managing chronic pain in the sport of football. 

CBD may help football athletes in numerous ways, such as:

• May improve sense of focus
• May improve muscle recovery
• May provide a sense of calm
• May create better mood
• May reduce pain
• May provide anti-anxiety properties
• Potential therapeutic compound for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

ARE THERE ANY PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ATHLETES THAT USE CBD?

There are many professional football players that frequently use CBD products. Evidence from professional sports players, athlete blogs, and health professionals have been raving about the healing properties of cannabidiol, reaping the relaxation benefits and enhancing their sports performance. 

Studies on cannabis use have primarily looked at elite, collegiate, and adolescents athletes from an anti-doping perspective, suggesting cannabis has a potential role in pain management and concussion-related symptoms. 

Do note though, CBD isn’t just only for professionals to use, everyone can. 

CBD may exert properties including:

• Anti-anxiety
• Reductions in pain
• Sense of focus
• Sense of calmness
• Reduced depressive symptoms
• Improved mood
• Improved quality of life

HOW CAN I FIND QUALITY CBD PRODUCTS FOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS?

You can find quality CBD products for football players on the internet, via word-of-mouth, and at brick-and-mortar locations. 

First, start by asking yourself, what kind of CBD product are you open to trying? There are so many different ones to choose from oils, salves, capsules, powders, waters, creams, etc. 

Secondly, is the company you’re interested in actually reputable? Do they provide certificates of analysis for each batch of their product(s)? Do they use high-quality cannabis? What is their extraction process like? Lastly, read the customer testimonials. Is the company actively engaged with the football player population and its mission statement? 

CBD products for football players come in all shapes, sizes, types, and concentrates, making it appealing to many football athletes. 

Looking for a natural pain-relieving option after practice? CBD topicals may be your go-to after football practice. CBD products for football athletes may benefit from CBD drops prior to their practice, providing a sense of clarity and calmness before you enter the battlefield. 

CBD products for football players, including CBD powders and flavored CBD waters, maybe a great source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and vitamins post-practice session, helping you refuel and recharge for your recovery ahead. 

HOW DO I USE CBD FOR FOOTBALL ATHLETES?

Different CBD products can enter the body through different delivery mechanisms, so football athletes do have numerous options available. 

Are you wanting to try a topical CBD product? In general, CBD creams, CBD Sports Creams, and CBD Skin Sticks can be used similarly to how you apply deodorant - a swipe or two over the desired area. If you’re wanting a deeper effect, you can also massage the topical onto the area, letting the skin absorb your application, reaping the benefits in a more concentrated manner. 

Football players taking CBD Drops is a great way to get the CBD into your system, without going through your digestive system to achieve results. By placing 1 full dropper (1.0 mL) of CBD oil under your tongue, you’re allowing the CBD to be absorbed through your taste buds, going directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the intestines for digestion. 1 full dropper of CBD oil drops contains up to 10 milligrams of high-potency CBD. 

If you’re wanting more of an incognito method for your CBD, CBD Softgels or are a great alternative. When football athletes take CBD capsules, it may take a little bit longer for you to feel the effects, as compared to CBD oils. This is because the CBD will metabolize slowly, first entering your system orally, then metabolize in your intestines as they digest, thus, feeling the results later on. Taking one to two 25 mg broad-spectrum CBD capsules prior to practice can make you feel at ease sooner than later, knowing your exact CBD amount is precise and accounted for.

CBD AND FOOTBALL ATHLETES: FINAL THOUGHTS

CBD and athletic performance are merely just on the brink of becoming “PB&J” - athletes everywhere may benefit, without experiencing the adverse side effects and chances of addition that often come with opioid use and taking traditional NSAIDs. Surfers, snowboarders, and football players alike may benefit from taking CBD orally, topically, or sublingually. 

Here, at Nanocraft CBD, we truly believe that health starts from within - that is the driving force behind all of our products. This is why we take the science behind our products so seriously. 

Every product we create starts with superior genetic hemp strains. The hemp plants used for our oils are dried and warehoused after they are harvested. Every drop of our broad-spectrum hemp oil contains a robust profile of major and minor cannabinoids, including CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBN, CBC, and THCA. After extraction, our ultrahigh-quality crude is sent through a custom-designed and fabricated short-path distillation system. We test every production run for quality and potency. This makes sure that all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, essential fatty acids, and phytonutrients are consistent and pure.

What does all of this mean for you? You can use less of our product to achieve the same level of benefit as the products sold by most of our competitors. We think that’s a reason to celebrate.

*DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not exploit or provide medical advice of any kind. Therefore, any reliance you place on the information below is strictly at your own risk. Please check with your medical provider before starting or changing a CBD routine.

Kirsten Thornhill, MS

Nanocraft Sciences

Content Writer | Physiologist | Researcher

Kirsten Thornhill was born and raised in a small farm town in Stanislaus County, California. Kirsten graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from CSU Stanislaus and her Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. She is currently in pursuits of a PhD in Health Sciences: Human & Sport Performance at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Northern Utah, specializing in Cardiology and Human Performance. She is very passionate about human physiology and the metabolic and nutritional adaptations that occur during exercise in athletes. Kirsten enjoys educating and informing people about the importance of lifetime movement, plant-based eating, and health research and development. Her passion for natural, lifestyle medicine enables her to strive when promoting health and education.

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