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CBD in sport has gained significant attention since 2018, when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed it from their prohibited substances list. This landmark decision allowed athletes to use cannabidiol during competition for the first time.

The CBD market is now expected to exceed £5 billion as more competitors turn to this natural alternative for recovery and performance support. CBD is also legal in many countries including the United States, Spain, Germany, and China, making it more accessible to athletes worldwide.

Scientific interest in CBD for athletes has grown substantially, with a systematic review identifying 901 publications on the topic. Though research is still in its early stages, studies suggest CBD may offer several benefits for training and recovery. Some evidence indicates CBD could help regulate inflammation after intense exercise, with research showing a dosage of 10 mg/kg may reduce inflammation following fatiguing eccentric exercise. CBD has also demonstrated potential for improving sleep quality—an important consideration for athletes who often experience sleep disturbances due to heavy training loads.

Unlike THC (another compound found in cannabis), CBD is non-psychoactive and works by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate mood, pain perception, and stress responses. The interaction between CBD and this system may explain why many athletes report benefits for pain management. For competitors looking to avoid the health risks associated with long-term use of over-the-counter medications and NSAIDs, CBD might offer a safer alternative.

This guide examines what current science actually tells us about CBD in sport, whether you’re interested in enhancing recovery, managing pain, or improving sleep quality.

What is CBD and why athletes are paying attention

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, has gained significant interest from the sporting world in recent years. The cannabis plant contains more than 140 cannabinoids, with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most widely recognised. Athletes are increasingly turning to CBD as a potential aid for recovery, pain management, and overall wellbeing—particularly as scientific research begins to catch up with anecdotal reports.

CBD vs THC: Key differences

Despite sharing identical molecular formulas—21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms—CBD and THC exhibit markedly different effects on the human body. The key distinction lies in their molecular arrangement, which explains their contrasting properties.

CBD is completely non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. Conversely, THC is the primary compound responsible for cannabis’ intoxicating effects—if you’ve ever felt light-headed after consuming cannabis, that was the THC at work.

From a chemical perspective, CBD typically comes from hemp, a variety of cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC. This low THC concentration is crucial for both legal classification and ensuring CBD products don’t produce psychotropic effects.

The physiological differences between these compounds are substantial:

• Receptor interaction: While THC strongly activates CB1 receptors in the brain (causing psychoactive effects), CBD has limited direct influence on these receptors
• Safety profile: CBD is generally considered well-tolerated even at high doses (up to 1500 mg daily or acute doses of 6000 mg)
• Side effects: THC can cause dry mouth, red eyes, slower response times, memory issues, and increased heart rate, whereas CBD exhibits minimal side effects

These differences make CBD particularly appealing to athletes who want potential therapeutic benefits without performance-impairing intoxication. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that CBD may still affect the body through other pathways, potentially moderating calcium levels in brain cells and influencing cell communication.

Legal status in sport (WADA and global context)

The watershed moment for CBD in sport came in January 2018, when the World Anti-Doping Agency removed cannabidiol from its prohibited substances list. This decision reflected mounting evidence regarding CBD’s safety profile and therapeutic potential. Consequently, athletes can now use CBD without fear of anti-doping violations.

However, the legal landscape remains complex. While CBD is permitted, all other cannabinoids—including THC—remain prohibited in competition. WADA has established a urinary threshold for THC at 150 nanograms per millilitre, which represents a significant increase from the previous limit of 15 nanograms per millilitre. This higher threshold aims to reduce positive tests resulting from casual use outside competition periods rather than during events.

Despite WADA’s acceptance of CBD, product purity presents a serious concern for athletes. Research indicates that only 15% of commercially available CBD products in the USA contained less than the legal maximum limit of 0.3% THC, despite label claims to the contrary. Moreover, following a four-week supplementation period with CBD (30 mg daily), urinary THC was detectable in 50% of participants, even though the product supposedly contained less than 1 mg THC.

The global legal status of CBD varies considerably, with countries like the USA, Spain, Germany, China, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Morocco permitting its use. In the UK, CBD is legal provided it comes from hemp, contains less than 1 mg of THC, and makes no medical claims. Furthermore, as of 2021, the UK classified CBD as a “novel food,” requiring companies to have validated Novel Foods Applications.

For athletes, this complex regulatory environment demands caution. The strict liability principle in anti-doping means competitors are fully responsible for any substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there. Therefore, athletes considering CBD must thoroughly research products, preferably choosing those with third-party testing and batch-specific certificates of analysis.

The rising interest in CBD among athletes stems partially from concerns about traditional pain management approaches. With mounting evidence about risks associated with chronic NSAID use and the ongoing opioid crisis, many athletes view CBD as a potentially safer alternative for managing pain and inflammation.

How CBD interacts with the athlete’s body

Understanding how CBD works in the body helps explain why many athletes are turning to it for recovery and performance support. This interaction begins at the cellular level, where CBD communicates with a natural regulatory system present in every athlete’s body.

The endocannabinoid system explained

Your body naturally produces compounds called endocannabinoids that function as internal signalling molecules. These substances form part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a biological network discovered in the early 1990s that plays a crucial role in maintaining bodily balance. The ECS has three main components:

1. Endocannabinoids: Naturally occurring compounds like anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) that act as chemical messengers
2. Receptors: CB1 receptors (found mainly in the brain and central nervous system) and CB2 receptors (primarily in peripheral tissues and immune cells)
3. Enzymes: Proteins that create and break down endocannabinoids

For athletes, the ECS helps regulate several processes directly relevant to performance and recovery—including pain perception, inflammation, mood, stress adaptation, and sleep-wake cycles. Research suggests that exercise itself activates the ECS, with studies showing increased blood levels of anandamide following physical activity. This activation may contribute to the “runner’s high” sensation previously attributed solely to endorphins.

The ECS has particularly high concentrations of receptors in tissues central to athletic performance—skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system, and digestive tract all contain significant populations of cannabinoid receptors. This widespread distribution explains the diverse effects CBD may have on an athlete’s body.

CBD’s role in homeostasis and recovery

Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t bind directly to cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it works indirectly by influencing how your endocannabinoid system functions. CBD has been shown to inhibit the enzyme FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), which typically breaks down anandamide. By slowing this breakdown, CBD potentially increases the concentration and duration of anandamide’s effects—which include pain reduction and mood enhancement.

For athletes seeking recovery support, this interaction offers several potential benefits:

Anti-inflammatory effects: Intense exercise naturally creates microscopic damage to muscle fibres, triggering inflammation as part of the repair process. While some inflammation is necessary for adaptation, excessive inflammatory responses can delay recovery. CBD appears to modulate immune responses by affecting cytokine production in immune cells and reducing pro-inflammatory markers.

Pain management: CBD may alter pain perception through multiple mechanisms beyond the endocannabinoid system. It interacts with TRPV1 receptors (the same receptors targeted by capsaicin), which are involved in pain sensation and inflammation. Additionally, CBD affects glycine receptors, potentially enhancing their ability to reduce pain transmission.

Stress and anxiety reduction: Physical training creates both physiological and psychological stress. CBD interacts with serotonin receptors (specifically 5-HT1A), which may contribute to its anxiety-reducing effects. For athletes, this could translate to improved stress management during high-pressure competitions or intensive training periods.

Sleep quality enhancement: Recovery requires quality sleep, and CBD may influence sleep patterns through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system. By potentially reducing anxiety and pain—two common sleep disruptors for athletes—CBD might indirectly improve sleep quality.

The relationship between CBD and the endocannabinoid system represents a biological pathway that may enhance athletic recovery. Most notably, CBD’s influence on homeostasis—the body’s ability to maintain internal stability despite external changes—aligns with athletes’ needs to balance training stress with recovery.

As research into CBD applications in sport continues to develop, scientists are gaining clearer insights into how this cannabinoid interacts with athletes’ bodies at the cellular and systemic levels. The endocannabinoid system provides a biological basis for understanding how CBD might support athletic performance and recovery.

What is CBD and why athletes are paying attention

Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently caught the attention of the sporting world. The cannabis plant contains over 140 cannabinoids, with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most well-known. Athletes are increasingly turning to CBD as a potential aid for recovery, pain management and overall wellbeing—particularly as scientific research begins to catch up with anecdotal reports.

CBD vs THC: Key differences

Despite sharing identical molecular formulas, CBD and THC produce markedly different effects on the human body. The key distinction lies in their molecular arrangement, which explains why they affect us differently.

CBD is completely non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. By contrast, THC is the primary compound responsible for cannabis’ intoxicating effects—if you’ve ever felt light-headed after consuming cannabis, that was the THC at work.

From a chemical perspective, CBD typically comes from hemp, a variety of cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC. This low THC concentration is crucial for both legal classification and ensuring CBD products don’t produce psychotropic effects.

The physiological differences between these compounds are substantial:

• Receptor interaction: While THC strongly activates CB1 receptors in the brain (causing psychoactive effects), CBD has limited direct influence on these receptors
• Safety profile: CBD is generally considered well-tolerated even at high doses (up to 1500 mg daily or acute doses of 6000 mg)
• Side effects: THC can cause dry mouth, red eyes, slower response times, memory issues, and increased heart rate, whereas CBD exhibits minimal side effects

These differences make CBD particularly appealing to athletes who want potential therapeutic benefits without performance-impairing intoxication. It’s worth noting that CBD may still affect the body through other pathways, potentially moderating calcium levels in brain cells and influencing cell communication.

Legal status in sport (WADA and global context)

The watershed moment for CBD in sport came in January 2018, when the World Anti-Doping Agency removed cannabidiol from its prohibited substances list. This decision reflected mounting evidence regarding CBD’s safety profile and therapeutic potential. Consequently, athletes can now use CBD without fear of anti-doping violations.

However, the legal landscape remains complex. While CBD is permitted, all other cannabinoids—including THC—remain prohibited in competition. WADA has established a urinary threshold for THC at 150 nanograms per millilitre, which represents a significant increase from the previous limit of 15 nanograms per millilitre. This higher threshold aims to reduce positive tests resulting from casual use outside competition periods rather than during events.

Despite WADA’s acceptance of CBD, product purity presents a serious concern for athletes. Research indicates that only 15% of commercially available CBD products in the USA contained less than the legal maximum limit of 0.3% THC, despite label claims to the contrary. Moreover, following a four-week supplementation period with CBD (30 mg daily), urinary THC was detectable in 50% of participants, even though the product supposedly contained less than 1 mg THC.

The global legal status of CBD varies considerably, with countries like the USA, Spain, Germany, China, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Morocco permitting its use. In the UK, CBD is legal provided it comes from hemp, contains less than 1 mg of THC, and makes no medical claims. Furthermore, as of 2021, the UK classified CBD as a “novel food,” requiring companies to have validated Novel Foods Applications.

For athletes, this complex regulatory environment demands caution. The strict liability principle in anti-doping means competitors are fully responsible for any substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there. Therefore, athletes considering CBD must thoroughly research products, preferably choosing those with third-party testing and batch-specific certificates of analysis.

The rising interest in CBD among athletes stems partially from concerns about traditional pain management approaches. With mounting evidence about risks associated with chronic NSAID use and the ongoing opioid crisis, many athletes view CBD as a potentially safer alternative for managing pain and inflammation.

CBD in Sport: The Science-Backed Guide Athletes Need to Know (2025)

CBD and pain management in training and competition

Pain management presents a significant challenge for many athletes, with traditional approaches often bringing unwanted side effects. Many competitors are now looking at CBD as a potential alternative that might provide relief without the risks associated with conventional pain medications.

Neurological pathways of pain relief

CBD appears to work through several neurological mechanisms to potentially reduce pain sensation. It primarily interferes with how pain signals are transmitted to the brain, effectively interrupting the neural pathways that communicate discomfort. This interruption happens through multiple distinct mechanisms rather than a single pathway.

At the cellular level, CBD promotes pain relief by activating transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V (TRPV1) and serotonin receptors. These same receptors are targeted by other pain management compounds, including capsaicin (found in chilli peppers). CBD also appears to interact with adenosine receptors, which may lead to reduced release of glutamate—a neurotransmitter involved in pain signalling.

It’s worth noting that CBD doesn’t bind directly to the classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the same way as THC. Instead, it works through indirect modulation and interaction with multiple receptor types. Research suggests CBD inhibits the release of certain neurotransmitters, modulates neuronal excitability, activates pain-inhibiting pathways, and reduces neuroinflammatory signalling.

The endocannabinoid system contains CB2 receptors concentrated in immune tissues, and CBD’s interaction with these receptors may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing cytokine production. This dual action on both pain perception and inflammation makes CBD particularly interesting for athletic pain management.

Topical vs oral CBD for pain

Athletes now have multiple options for CBD administration, with topical and oral methods being the most common for pain management. Each approach offers different advantages:

Topical CBD applications provide targeted relief to specific areas without significant effects throughout the body. In a study of elite athletes with chronic lower extremity pain, twice-daily application of 10 mg CBD was well-tolerated with only minor side effects like skin dryness. Topical formulations typically limit how much CBD enters the bloodstream, potentially improving the safety profile.

The effectiveness of topical CBD seems promising. Among elite athletes using topical CBD, all participants reported improvements in pain-related disability affecting family/home responsibilities and sexual function, while 93% experienced improvements in recreation, social activities, and occupational activities. CBD’s high lipophilicity causes it to accumulate in the skin, which both enhances local effectiveness and explains some side effects like dry skin.

Oral CBD, meanwhile, offers more widespread effects throughout the body but with different absorption considerations. Cannabinoids are not as effective as opioids for acute, high-intensity pain, but may be useful for long-term pain management—either alone or alongside other medications—with significantly lower risk of dependence or accidental death.

A key advantage of CBD for sport training is its safety profile compared to conventional pain management approaches. While chronic use of NSAIDs increases risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, CBD shows minimal serious side effects. According to medical literature, there are no documented deaths from cannabis or cannabinoid-based products, with 96.6% of adverse events in systematic reviews considered non-serious.

As more athletes move away from opioids—which were involved in over 42,000 deaths in the US in 2016—CBD presents a potentially safer alternative for managing training-related pain. However, more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made about optimal delivery methods and dosages for specific pain conditions in sport.

CBD and sleep: The overlooked recovery tool

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of athletic recovery, yet remains chronically undervalued in many training regimens. Professional athletes frequently report sub-optimal sleep quantity and quality, with disturbances stemming from pre-competition anxiety, travel schedules, and physiological stress from intense training. Adequate sleep is widely acknowledged as an integral component of recovery processes necessary for peak performance.

How CBD affects sleep cycles

Research indicates CBD has several notable effects on sleep architecture and duration. In experimental studies, CBD administration extended overall sleep periods primarily through its impact on non-REM sleep. This phase is particularly valuable for athletes as it contributes significantly to physical recovery and hormonal regulation.

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in modulating sleep-wake cycles, with receptors like anandamide and type-1 associated with sleep-promoting effects. When CBD stimulates this system, it potentially regulates sleep disorders that commonly affect athletes experiencing overreaching or overtraining syndromes.

Physiologically, CBD administration appears to alter sleep oscillations, including delta waves, spindles, and ripples. CBD’s calming effect on the nervous system creates conditions conducive to rest and recovery. These neurological changes help explain why many athletes report improved sleep experiences when supplementing with CBD.

Impact on sleep latency and quality

The evidence regarding CBD’s impact on sleep latency (time taken to fall asleep) and quality presents a mixed but promising picture. One study found that higher doses of CBD (160 mg) significantly increased sleep duration in individuals reporting difficulties with both sleep onset and quality. This finding suggests potential benefits for athletes struggling with sleep initiation after intense training or competition.

For athletes, CBD’s effectiveness for sleep appears connected to its anxiolytic properties. Competition anxiety frequently disrupts athletic sleep patterns, and CBD’s documented anti-anxiety effects may indirectly improve sleep quality by addressing this underlying issue.

Research findings on CBD’s sleep benefits include:

• A study involving participants with anxiety issues reported that 66% experienced better sleep in the first month of CBD supplementation
• Higher dosages (300-600 mg) demonstrate potential for decreasing cortisol levels, which may improve sleep quality
• CBD typically doesn’t produce the morning grogginess often associated with traditional sleep aids

Presently, evidence supporting CBD for improved sleep is stronger in populations with existing sleep difficulties, whereas studies with healthy individuals show less pronounced effects.

CBD vs melatonin or sleep aids

Athletes considering sleep supplements often compare CBD with traditional options like melatonin. Both compounds interact with the body’s natural sleep regulation systems, yet through distinctly different pathways.

Melatonin directly supplements the body’s natural sleep hormone, typically reducing the time required to fall asleep. It works best for those with compromised melatonin production or circadian rhythm disruptions—conditions frequently experienced by travelling athletes or those training under artificial lighting.

CBD, alternatively, appears to work through broader neurological pathways by reducing anxiety and promoting overall relaxation. Unlike melatonin, CBD doesn’t exclusively target sleep initiation but may offer additional benefits for athletes through its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

A key consideration for athletes involves the “next-day hangover” effect. Unlike melatonin, which occasionally causes morning grogginess, CBD typically doesn’t produce this effect, potentially allowing for morning training sessions without lingering sedation.

It’s worth noting that research into CBD for athletic sleep enhancement remains in early stages, with most evidence coming from clinical populations rather than specifically from sporting contexts. Until sport-specific studies provide clearer guidance, athletes experimenting with CBD for sleep should approach dosing conservatively, focusing on individual responses rather than generalised recommendations.

CBD and mental performance: Stress, focus, and mood

Mental challenges can be just as demanding as physical ones for athletes. Psychological factors including competition anxiety, stress, and concentration directly influence performance outcomes. With this in mind, many competitors are now looking at CBD’s potential to support the mental aspects of sport performance.

Anxiolytic effects of CBD

Research suggests CBD may help reduce anxiety particularly during stressful situations. Studies show that while CBD has limited effect on anxiety under normal conditions, CBD supplementation (300-600 mg/day) during stressful scenarios has shown promising results for both healthy individuals and those with social anxiety. Interestingly, CBD (300 mg) has demonstrated similar anxiety-reducing effects to the established anxiolytic drug ipsapirone (5 mg) in simulated public speaking tests.

The effectiveness of CBD for anxiety appears to depend on the dose. Research indicates that 300 mg is more effective than either 150 mg or 600 mg for reducing anxiety-related symptoms. However, it’s worth noting that sport-specific research is still limited—most findings come from clinical populations rather than athletic contexts.

Mood regulation and serotonin pathways

CBD’s potential mood-enhancing properties come mainly from its interaction with serotonin receptors. Studies show that CBD activates 5-HT1A receptors, which help regulate mood, potentially restoring impaired serotonin neurotransmission. Through this mechanism, CBD might help athletes maintain emotional balance despite training stresses.

Beyond its effects on serotonin, CBD boosts anandamide signalling—an endocannabinoid associated with feelings of wellbeing. It does this by preventing anandamide’s absorption and breakdown, resulting in higher levels in the brain. This pathway may be particularly beneficial for athletes experiencing fatigue-related mood changes.

CBD also influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis—a key mechanism in stress response. By potentially inhibiting stress hormone production (including cortisol), CBD might help athletes manage competition-related pressure.

CBD training benefits for mental clarity

Compared to pharmaceutical options, CBD offers potential focus improvements through several mechanisms. Its interaction with serotonin receptors throughout the brain affects both mood and concentration. By modulating serotonin levels, CBD may create better conditions for sustaining attention during training or competition.

Some evidence suggests CBD could help athletes clear away unnecessary distractions, potentially allowing them to concentrate solely on performance. CBD might also assist with emotional regulation, helping competitors stay calm during high-pressure situations.

Studies have shown that seven days of low-dose CBD treatment decreased anxiety-like behaviour and normalised serotonin activity. When athletes face pressure to perform, these properties could potentially translate to performance benefits—though more sport-specific research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Dosage, timing, and delivery methods for athletes

Finding the right CBD product for your training regime means considering three key factors: how you take it, when you use it, and how well it’s absorbed by your body. If you’re an athlete looking to incorporate CBD into your routine, understanding these elements is essential for getting the best results.

Capsules, oils, topicals: What works best?

Various CBD delivery methods offer different benefits depending on what you need. Sublingual oils (drops placed under the tongue) provide the fastest effects and highest absorption among oral options. This method allows CBD to enter your bloodstream quickly—making it particularly useful before competition or immediately after training.

CBD capsules and edibles, meanwhile, offer convenience and precise dosing. Some athletic trials have successfully used soft-gel capsules containing 75mg of CBD with carrier oils. Though these take longer to work (typically 1-2 hours), their effects last longer—which may be beneficial for sustained recovery support.

Topical applications such as creams and balms deliver targeted relief to specific areas without affecting your whole system. These products can be particularly effective for localised muscle and joint discomfort. Some elite athletes have reported significant pain relief with twice-daily 10mg topical CBD application, experiencing only minor side effects like dry skin.

Timing CBD intake around workouts

When to take CBD depends largely on your training goals. Research shows strength athletes typically use CBD after exercise, while endurance athletes often take it before training. If you’re looking for pre-workout support, taking CBD 30-60 minutes before training allows time for proper absorption.

After exercise, applying CBD within an hour of completion may help target inflammation and promote muscle relaxation. Some experts believe consistent supplementation rather than occasional use might provide better results.

Understanding bioavailability

Bioavailability—how much CBD actually reaches your system—varies significantly between methods. Sublingual administration bypasses initial processing by the liver, offering better absorption compared to products you swallow.

Research shows important differences in absorption patterns: when taken orally (1500-6000mg), CBD reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream after 4-5 hours with a half-life of 14-17 hours. Interestingly, taking CBD with high-fat meals increases absorption nearly five-fold.

If you’re considering using CBD as part of your training regimen, you should prioritise products tested by independent third parties with certificates of analysis. This helps ensure quality and reduces the risk of THC contamination. Pure CBD isolates or broad-spectrum products generally offer the safest options for athletes who may undergo drug testing.

What is CBD and why athletes are paying attention

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, has gained considerable interest in the sporting world over recent years. The cannabis plant contains more than 140 cannabinoids, with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most widely recognised. Athletes are increasingly turning to CBD as a potential aid for recovery, pain management, and overall wellbeing—particularly as scientific research begins to catch up with anecdotal reports.

CBD vs THC: Key differences

Despite sharing identical molecular formulas—21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms—CBD and THC have markedly different effects on the human body. The key distinction lies in their molecular arrangement, which explains their contrasting properties.

CBD is completely non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. Conversely, THC is the primary compound responsible for cannabis’ intoxicating effects—if you’ve ever felt light-headed after consuming cannabis, that was the THC at work.

From a chemical perspective, CBD typically comes from hemp, a variety of cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC. This low THC concentration is crucial for both legal classification and ensuring CBD products don’t produce psychotropic effects.

The physiological differences between these compounds are substantial:

• Receptor interaction: While THC strongly activates CB1 receptors in the brain (causing psychoactive effects), CBD has limited direct influence on these receptors
• Safety profile: CBD is generally considered well-tolerated even at high doses (up to 1500 mg daily or acute doses of 6000 mg)
• Side effects: THC can cause dry mouth, red eyes, slower response times, memory issues, and increased heart rate, whereas CBD exhibits minimal side effects

These differences make CBD particularly appealing to athletes who want potential therapeutic benefits without performance-impairing intoxication. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that CBD may still affect the body through other pathways, potentially moderating calcium levels in brain cells and influencing cell communication.

Legal status in sport (WADA and global context)

The watershed moment for CBD in sport came in January 2018, when the World Anti-Doping Agency removed cannabidiol from its prohibited substances list. This decision reflected mounting evidence regarding CBD’s safety profile and therapeutic potential. Consequently, athletes can now use CBD without fear of anti-doping violations.

However, the legal landscape remains complex. While CBD is permitted, all other cannabinoids—including THC—remain prohibited in competition. WADA has established a urinary threshold for THC at 150 nanograms per millilitre, which represents a significant increase from the previous limit of 15 nanograms per millilitre. This higher threshold aims to reduce positive tests resulting from casual use outside competition periods rather than during events.

Despite WADA’s acceptance of CBD, product purity presents a serious concern for athletes. Research indicates that only 15% of commercially available CBD products in the USA contained less than the legal maximum limit of 0.3% THC, despite label claims to the contrary. Moreover, following a four-week supplementation period with CBD (30 mg daily), urinary THC was detectable in 50% of participants, even though the product supposedly contained less than 1 mg THC.

The global legal status of CBD varies considerably, with countries like the USA, Spain, Germany, China, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Morocco permitting its use. In the UK, CBD is legal provided it comes from hemp, contains less than 1 mg of THC, and makes no medical claims. Furthermore, as of 2021, the UK classified CBD as a “novel food,” requiring companies to have validated Novel Foods Applications.

For athletes, this complex regulatory environment demands caution. The strict liability principle in anti-doping means competitors are fully responsible for any substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there. Therefore, athletes considering CBD must thoroughly research products, preferably choosing those with third-party testing and batch-specific certificates of analysis.

The rising interest in CBD among athletes stems partially from concerns about traditional pain management approaches. With mounting evidence about risks associated with chronic NSAID use and the ongoing opioid crisis, many athletes view CBD as a potentially safer alternative for managing pain and inflammation.

Conclusion

CBD offers athletes a potentially valuable tool for managing various training challenges. From recovery and pain management to sleep quality and mental performance, research suggests CBD could be useful in sporting contexts. Despite some encouraging early findings, it’s important to note that CBD research specifically for athletes remains limited, with many studies using clinical populations rather than competitive sportspeople. Nevertheless, evidence indicates CBD may help regulate post-exercise inflammation, reduce muscle soreness, improve sleep quality, and decrease competition anxiety without the side effects commonly associated with traditional medications.

If you’re considering using CBD as an athlete, you should approach supplementation cautiously. Quality control issues persist throughout the industry, with studies revealing concerning rates of mislabelling and THC contamination. For this reason, choosing third-party tested products with batch-specific certificates of analysis is essential for avoiding unintentional doping violations. Additionally, optimal dosing protocols for sport-specific applications remain undetermined, though evidence suggests higher doses (300mg+) may provide better results for anxiety reduction and sleep improvement.

CBD represents an evolving area of sports supplementation with significant promise but incomplete evidence. Your decision to incorporate CBD should balance the potential benefits against uncertainties regarding long-term effects and optimal usage protocols. Though scientists continue exploring CBD’s effects on performance and recovery, current research provides a foundation for understanding how this cannabinoid might support athletic endeavours—without the psychoactive effects or prohibited status of its chemical cousin THC.

As sport science advances, athletes will gain clearer insights into whether CBD truly deserves its growing reputation as a natural performance ally. Until more comprehensive evidence emerges, athletes should consult healthcare professionals before beginning CBD supplementation, particularly if taking any medications or managing existing health conditions.

FAQs

Q1. Is CBD legal for athletes to use? CBD is legal for athletes to use in competition since the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed it from the prohibited substances list in 2018. However, other cannabinoids like THC remain prohibited, so athletes must be cautious about product purity.

Q2. How might CBD benefit athletic performance and recovery? CBD may help athletes by reducing inflammation, managing pain, improving sleep quality, and decreasing competition anxiety. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to potentially promote faster recovery and better stress management.

Q3. What are the best ways for athletes to take CBD? Athletes can use CBD in various forms including oils, capsules, and topical applications. Sublingual oils offer fast-acting effects, capsules provide convenience, and topicals deliver targeted relief. The choice depends on individual needs and goals.

Q4. Are there any risks or side effects athletes should be aware of when using CBD? While CBD is generally well-tolerated, athletes should be cautious about product quality and potential THC contamination. Some CBD products may contain more THC than labelled, which could lead to failed drug tests. It’s crucial to choose third-party tested products.

Q5. How does CBD compare to traditional pain management methods for athletes? CBD offers a potentially safer alternative to NSAIDs and opioids for pain management, with fewer side effects reported in studies. Unlike ice baths, CBD may modulate rather than suppress inflammation, potentially supporting recovery without hindering adaptation. However, more sport-specific research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness compared to traditional methods.