How CBD May Help with Common Football Injuries
As CBD increases in popularity, athletes are becoming more and more vocal about in. In numerous sports, athletes are fighting for the allowed use of CBD. In many sports, it remains on the banned substances list, but sporting stars are fighting to change this.
There are many reasons why football players have become so passionate about CBD. Namely, there are numerous potential health benefits that could assist in recovery. Many common football injuries can cause long-term problems, and CBD offers a way out for football players.
Traditionally, football players have turned to opioid painkillers in an attempt to keep pain at bay. However, opiates present their own problems and many users end up hopelessly addicted to them.
According to the World Health Organization, CBD has a low potential for existing. As a result, it could be a viable alternative.
Let's look in more detail at how CBD could help with common football injuries.
What Is CBD and What Does It Do?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants. In particular, it is found in high quantities in hemp. Manufacturers extract CBD and other cannabinoids from the plant matter to make products like CBD oil, creams, and vapes.
Often, people take CBD as a general daily supplement used to support overall health and wellbeing. However, it can sometimes have some more specific applications, such as CBD for pain.
Some of the most vocal people about the benefits of CBD are those who use it to treat pain. Unlike many of the pain-relieving medications on the market today, CBD is completely natural. But is it as effective?
According to several acclaimed research studies, such as this one, CBD acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. By shutting off the body's inflammatory response, CBD can relieve pain and increase levels of comfort. A reduction in inflammation is especially useful for athletes like football players, who often experience injuries as a result of their profession.
Here are three common football injuries that players are using CBD to treat.
- Head Injuries
Head injuries are scarily common in the NFL. Football players often experience knocks to the head that cause severe, lifelong injuries. A 2017 report revealed that 110 out of 111 NFL players who donated their brain to science after death had a degenerative brain disease. That's almost every NFL player experiencing brain problems as a result of their career.
Concussions occur to pretty much every NFL player several times throughout their career. According to Concussion Alliance, CBD could act as a neuroprotectant that helps the brain heal from concussion. Whether it will be effective after multiple concussions sustained during football remains to be seen, but the research thus far is positive.
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
CTE is a degenerative brain disorder that causes symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, aggression, low mood, suicidal thoughts, and dementia. It effects a lot of retired NFL athletes as a result of the sustained head injuries. Although CTE is perhaps the most common and well-known, it is not the only brain injury that affects NFL athletes.
Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) refer to any contusions, hematomas, or bruising to the brain. They can be serious. However, cannabinoids like CBD could help due to their potential as neuroprotective agents.
Some of the studies in this area are fairly old, but a 2014 study did find that THC is associated with decreased mortality in adults with a TBI.
- Muscular Strains & Pains
General muscular pains, sprains, strains, and tears affect athletes in any sport. It's part and parcel of an active career. Since CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, it can help to take down some swelling and relieve pain for those who experience it. Even non-athletes can experience this benefit by using CBD pain creams with added ingredients like menthol.
Final Thoughts on CBD & Common Football Injuries
It's not surprising that footballers like Terrell Davis are so open about CBD use. Davis recently launched his own brand of CBD drinks, each containing 20mg of CBD. He is pushing for a better future in the sport where athletes can treat injuries without becoming addicted to opioids.
CBD and football certainly seem to go hand in hand right now, but the NFL doesn't see it that way – yet. Perhaps, one day, football players will be able to use CBD oil more openly during their careers; not just after retirement.
For now, athletes and couch potatoes alike can enjoy high-quality CBD products from brands like Premium Jane. Many sell targeted topicals to help with aches and pains. If it's good enough for the likes of Terrell Davis, perhaps CBD will be good enough for you.
