CBD and Athletes: Examining the Use of Cannabidiol in Sports
- Smart Grass
- Sep 6, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 8, 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the many cannabinoids that are produced by the plant, but it is unique in that it does not have any psychoactive effects. This means that CBD does not get you high, unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential benefits of CBD for athletes. Some studies have shown that CBD may be effective in reducing pain, inflammation, and anxiety, all of which can be common problems for athletes. CBD may also be helpful in improving sleep quality and recovery time.
However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on athletes. Some studies have also shown that CBD may interact with certain medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking CBD if you are an athlete.
Here is a closer look at some of the potential benefits of CBD for athletes:
Pain relief: CBD has been shown to be effective in reducing pain in people with a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, and muscle pain. This makes it a potential option for athletes who experience pain as a result of training or competition.
Inflammation reduction: CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. This means that it can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can be helpful for athletes who are prone to injuries or who experience inflammation as a result of training.
Anxiety reduction: CBD has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in people with a variety of conditions, including social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. This makes it a potential option for athletes who experience anxiety before or during competition.
Sleep improvement: CBD has been shown to improve sleep quality in people with a variety of conditions, including insomnia and sleep apnea. This makes it a potential option for athletes who have trouble sleeping, either due to stress or other factors.
Recovery: CBD may be helpful in improving recovery time for athletes. This is because CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Overall, the research on CBD for athletes is promising. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on athletic performance. If you are an athlete who is considering taking CBD, it is important to talk to your doctor first.
In addition to the potential benefits for athletes, CBD is also being studied for a variety of other health conditions, including:
Epilepsy
Multiple sclerosis
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Cancer
Nausea and vomiting
Anxiety and depression
Skin conditions
Sleep disorders
CBD is a promising new compound with a wide range of potential health benefits. More research is needed to fully understand its effects, but it is already being used by many people to improve their health.
Here are some Sports industries that use CBD brands for their athletes:
Soccer: Several soccer teams and players have partnered with CBD brands, including the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles FC, the English Premier League (EPL) team Tottenham Hotspur, and the Italian Serie A team Juventus. (Source: The Business Journals)
Basketball: Several basketball teams and players have partnered with CBD brands, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Sacramento Kings, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team the Los Angeles Sparks, and the EuroLeague team Real Madrid. (Source: Marijuana Moment)
Football: Several football teams and players have partnered with CBD brands, including the National Football League (NFL) team the Carolina Panthers, the Canadian Football League (CFL) team the Calgary Stampeders, and the Australian Football League (AFL) team the West Coast Eagles. (Source: Entrepreneur)
Golf: Several golf players have partnered with CBD brands, including the PGA Tour player Dustin Johnson, the LPGA Tour player Lexi Thompson, and the European Tour player Tommy Fleetwood. (Source: The New York Times)
MLB Signs First CBD Sponsorship for Major Sports in Deal with Charlotte's Web
In October 2022, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with Charlotte's Web, a leading CBD company. The deal makes Charlotte's Web the official CBD of MLB, and the company's products will be featured at MLB stadiums and events.
The deal is significant because it is the first CBD sponsorship for a major professional sports league in the United States. It is also a sign of the growing acceptance of CBD as a legitimate health and wellness product.
CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant that does not have any psychoactive effects. It has been shown to have a variety of potential health benefits, including reducing pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
MLB is hoping that the sponsorship with Charlotte's Web will help to improve the health and well-being of its players and fans. The company also believes that the sponsorship will help to raise awareness of the potential benefits of CBD.
The deal between MLB and Charlotte's Web is a major step forward for the CBD industry. It shows that CBD is now being accepted by mainstream institutions, and it is likely to lead to more CBD sponsorships in the future.
Here are some additional details about the MLB-Charlotte's Web sponsorship deal:
The deal is for three years.
Charlotte's Web products will be featured at MLB stadiums and events, including the World Series.
Charlotte's Web will also have a presence on MLB's digital platforms.
The deal is reportedly worth $30 million.
The MLB-Charlotte's Web sponsorship deal is a major milestone for the CBD industry. It shows that CBD is now being accepted by mainstream institutions, and it is likely to lead to more CBD sponsorships in the future.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has a relatively relaxed stance on CBD and athletes. In 2019, the league removed CBD from its list of banned substances, meaning that players are now free to use CBD products without fear of being suspended.
However, MLB still has some restrictions on the use of CBD by players. For example, players are not allowed to use CBD products that contain more than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Additionally, players are not allowed to use CBD products that are not approved by the FDA.
MLB's stance on CBD is in line with the stance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which also removed CBD from its list of banned substances in 2018. WADA's decision was based on the fact that CBD does not have any performance-enhancing effects.
The use of CBD by athletes is a relatively new phenomenon, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects on athletic performance. However, the early evidence suggests that CBD may be a safe and effective way for athletes to manage pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
Here are some of the reasons why MLB has a relatively relaxed stance on CBD and athletes:
CBD does not have any performance-enhancing effects.
CBD has been shown to be safe for human consumption.
CBD may be helpful for athletes in managing pain, inflammation, and anxiety.
The use of CBD by athletes is becoming increasingly common.
Overall, MLB's stance on CBD and athletes is a balanced one. The league has taken steps to ensure that players are not using CBD products that could pose a health risk, but it has also allowed players to use CBD products that may be helpful for managing pain and other conditions.
CBD is a promising new compound with the potential to provide a variety of benefits for athletes.
The research on CBD for athletes is still in its early stages, but the early evidence suggests that CBD may be helpful for managing pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep problems. CBD may also be beneficial for improving recovery time and athletic performance.
It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on athletes. Additionally, athletes should always talk to their doctor before taking CBD, as it may interact with certain medications.
Overall, the research on CBD for athletes is promising. As more research is conducted, we can expect to learn more about the potential benefits of CBD for athletes.
Here are some additional points that could be included in the conclusion:
The use of CBD by athletes is becoming increasingly common.
More and more sports teams and leagues are allowing athletes to use CBD products.
The CBD industry is growing rapidly, and there are now many different CBD products available on the market.
It is important to be aware of the potential risks of using CBD, as well as the potential benefits. Athletes should always talk to their doctor before taking CBD, and they should choose CBD products that are made from high-quality ingredients.
The use of CBD by athletes is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, the research on CBD is promising, and it is likely that CBD will continue to be a topic of interest for athletes and sports organizations in the years to come.