Should Professional Athletes Use Cannabis for Performance and Pain?

Professional athletes push their bodies to the limit, causing intense physical strain, injuries, and long recovery times.

Many turn to traditional pain management methods, such as prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. But these treatments can come with unwanted side effects. As a result, some athletes are exploring cannabis as an alternative for pain relief, recovery, and performance support.

The use of cannabis in sports remains a controversial topic, with ongoing debates about its effectiveness, legality, and potential risks.

How Cannabis Affects the Body

Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that plays a key role in regulating pain, inflammation, mood, and sleep. The two main compounds in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), influence the body in different ways:

CBD is non-psychoactive and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. It is used for pain management, muscle recovery, and reducing anxiety.

THC is the compound responsible for cannabis’s psychoactive effects. While it also has pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing benefits, it may impair coordination and reaction time, which can be a concern for athletes during competition.

By interacting with ECS receptors, cannabinoids help regulate pain perception, muscle function, and overall recovery, making them a potential option for athletes dealing with injuries, chronic pain, and stress.

Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Athletes

Pain Relief and Inflammation Reduction

Athletes experience muscle soreness, joint pain, and inflammation due to intense training. Studies show that CBD can ease inflammation and relieve pain without the risks of addiction or gastrointestinal damage linked to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and opioids.

The same study from the NIH showed that CBD can modulate inflammatory responses by interacting with immune system receptors. With that said, CBD is a safer long-term alternative for managing sports-related pain.

Muscle Recovery and Relaxation

Post-workout recovery is essential for avoiding injury and maintaining peak performance. Cannabis has muscle-relaxing properties that can help ease muscle spasms and stiffness.

Some athletes use CBD-infused topicals, oils, or capsules to ease muscle soreness. Others prefer CBD-rich edibles or tinctures to support full-body relaxation.

Improved Sleep and Recovery

Adequate rest is essential for athletic performance. Sleep disturbances are common among athletes due to stress, travel, and physical discomfort. Cannabis may help regulate sleep patterns by increasing deep sleep stages essential for muscle repair.

CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. It can help athletes power through insomnia or pre-competition nerves.

Mental Focus and Stress Reduction

Athletes face high levels of pressure and competition-related stress. CBD may help with anxiety management, focus, and mental resilience. CBD could enhance cognitive function and emotional stability in stressful environments.

Cannabis Use in Sports

The perception of cannabis in sports has evolved, beginning with the 2014 Farm Bill, which allowed states to cultivate hemp for research. This change loosened federal hemp restrictions, fueling the growth of the CBD market.

As medical and recreational cannabis laws expanded, more athletes began openly discussing their cannabis use. In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its list of banned substances.

The NFL followed in the 2019-2020 offseason, removing CBD and THC from its list of banned drugs of abuse. In 2023, the NBA removed marijuana from its banned substances list and allowed players to invest in cannabis and CBD companies.

The landscape of cannabis in professional sports has shifted, with growing support from athletes and leagues alike.

Cannabis Use in Different Sports

Cannabis use has become so common among professional athletes that the NFL invested $1 million into research on cannabinoids for pain management and neuroprotection following concussions.

Football players aren’t the only ones turning to cannabis for recovery. Former professional cyclist Floyd Landis uses it for pain management, while golfers seek relief from chronic pain and joint stiffness.

Bubba Watson, who became the highest-profile golfer to sign with a CBD company in 2019, credits CBD with easing his aches and extending his career.

Former NBA player Al Harrington remains one of basketball’s strongest cannabis advocates. Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, who briefly lost and later regained his gold medal after testing positive for cannabis at the 1998 Winter Olympics, has since built a career as a cannabis entrepreneur and advocate.

Athletes across all levels, from professionals to everyday fitness enthusiasts, use cannabis to support performance and recovery.

Best Ways for Athletes to Use Cannabis

Athletes interested in cannabis should consider safe and effective consumption methods that support recovery while minimizing unwanted effects.

CBD Oil and Tinctures

• Fast absorption and precise dosing make tinctures a popular choice.
• Best used for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and sleep support.

Edibles and Capsules

• Provide long-lasting effects, ideal for extended recovery and inflammation control.
• Onset may take 30 minutes to 2 hours, so timing is important.

Topicals and Creams

• Targeted pain relief for sore muscles and joints.
• Non-psychoactive and safe for regular use.

Vaping and Inhalation

• Fast-acting relief for acute pain or stress.
• May not be ideal for athletes concerned about lung health.

Future of Cannabis in Professional Sports

As more scientific research emerges, sports organizations are reconsidering their stance on cannabis. Many sports leagues have already eased restrictions, and advocacy groups continue to push for fair access to medical marijuana for athletes.

Medical experts at TeleLeaf emphasize the importance of responsible cannabis use and individualized treatment plans. Athletes should work with qualified healthcare providers to determine safe and effective cannabis strategies for their specific needs.

Should Athletes Use Cannabis for Performance and Pain?

While cannabis offers potential benefits for pain relief, recovery, and stress management, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Athletes must consider their sport’s regulations, personal health needs, and the effects of different cannabinoids before adding cannabis into their routine.

Working with a medical marijuana doctor can help you understand the benefits of cannabis more. Apply for a medical marijuana card to get started.