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Recently, the use of CBD has become widespread among athletes. Since CBD is derived from cannabis, some may wonder whether athletes should use CBD in the first place.
In this article, we will introduce how CBD is treated in relation to doping, explain why CBD is effective for athletes, and recommend how to take it.
Can athletes use CBD?
In international competitions, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulates the substances banned for athletes. In a 2018 ruling, WADA removed CBD from the prohibited list.
Therefore, CBD is not considered a doping violation. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be the first Olympics to be held with CBD approved for use. THC is still on the banned list.
CBD is a safe ingredient that does not constitute a doping violation, so it can be used safely by athletes.
Examples of athletes using CBD
Far from being problematic, CBD use by athletes has been shown to be beneficial in many ways. In fact, many athletes have been using CBD to great effect.
Here we introduce three athletes who use CBD themselves and are advocates of its use. It is highly likely that the use of CBD will become more widespread in the future, not just among the athletes introduced below.
Soccer: Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe, a gold medalist for the United States women's national soccer team, incorporates CBD products from her sister Rachel Rapinoe and Brad Schwager's company, Mendi, into her training.
Mendi is a company established to create a brand of CBD products, and has appointed top athletes such as Megan Rapinoe as ambassadors. Megan Rapinoe uses CBD products to relieve stress and tension during competition, and it can be said that she has experienced their effects.
Martial Arts: Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, the famous former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, owns a vast cannabis farm in California, USA.
He is developing a full-scale cannabis business, such as releasing ear-shaped THC gummies based on the famous episode from his active days, where he bit his own ear. In this way, America has become a place where even world-famous athletes can openly develop cannabis businesses.
Golf: Masamitsu Masuda
Japanese professional golfer Masamitsu Masuda signed a sponsorship contract with global CBD brand HempMeds in March 2022.
HempMeds manufactures CBD products that comply with WADA regulations, and hopes that by supporting Masuda, CBD products will become more popular in the golf and other sports worlds. Attention will be focused on whether Masuda, who has received support, can improve his performance and achieve results.
Recommended CBD intake methods for athletes
There are several ways to take CBD depending on the type of product:
- Sublingual (CBD oil)
- Oral intake (CBD oil/CBD foods)
- Transdermal intake (CBD oil, CBD cream)
Which method of intake is best for athletes to improve their performance? Here we will explain in detail each method of intake and the expected effects.
Sublingual (CBD oil)
Sublingual CBD is a method of CBD absorption that allows CBD to enter the bloodstream directly through the capillaries on the underside of the tongue. To take CBD sublingually, you place a drop of CBD oil on the underside of your tongue, let it sit on your tongue for about a minute, and then swallow the remaining oil.
It is characterized by the fact that it takes a relatively short time for the effects to appear after ingestion, about 30 minutes to an hour. The duration of the effect varies depending on the product, but some products seem to wear off after about 2 hours.
If you want to be in a relaxed state and concentrate during competition or training, it is best to take it during the day, but if you want to improve the quality of your sleep and recover your body, it is best to take it before going to bed.
Oral intake (CBD oil/CBD foods)
Oral ingestion is the process of taking CBD oil or CBD foods by swallowing them. You can drink a drink with CBD oil dissolved in it, or eat CBD gummies or CBD chocolate.
Unlike sublingual intake, oral intake is metabolized and digested in the body. Therefore, it takes 1 to 2 hours for the effects to appear after ingestion, which is about twice as long as sublingual intake. Also, since it is absorbed in the body rather than directly by the cells of the tongue, the absorption rate is lower than sublingual intake.
However, because it is absorbed slowly into the body over time, its effects last for about 4 to 12 hours after ingestion.
One of the benefits of oral intake is that it is easy to take. CBD has a unique bitter taste, so people who don't like it have difficulty taking it sublingually. Oral intake is much easier than sublingual intake, as there are products available that can be taken deliciously without any bitterness, such as gummies and chocolates.
Transdermal intake (CBD oil, CBD cream)
Transdermal ingestion is a method of ingesting CBD ingredients through the pores of the skin by applying CBD oil or CBD cream to the skin. The most distinctive feature of transdermal ingestion is that it can have a localized effect. In particular, for localized pain such as muscle pain and joint pain, transdermal ingestion of CBD from the affected area can be expected to hasten recovery.
One thing to note is that you cannot expect it to have a relaxing or focused effect. Since CBD taken through the skin does not reach the bloodstream, it cannot be expected to have a systemic effect.
summary
Since WADA removed CBD from its list of doping violations, its use has become more widespread among athletes.
Famous athletes are also publicly voicing their use of CBD, and companies that sell CBD products are increasingly sponsoring athletes. As athletes who use CBD continue to perform well, CBD use is likely to increase.
Not only is CBD use by athletes safe from a doping perspective, it also has a variety of benefits, including a relaxing effect.
Skew offers a variety of CBD products. We have products that meet WADA standards, so if you are an athlete interested in CBD, please feel free to use them.