CBD Use In Athletes - It’s On The Rise

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Legendary Pro Hockey Player Tells His Story:

In his younger days, Ryan VandenBussche lived a life others would consider a dream. At just 19 he was already playing professional hockey, first in the minor leagues and then moving on to the big time in the NHL. Over 14 years, he became known as one of the toughest enforcers in the league.

But that badge of honor came with a price. Nearly two decades’ worth of big collisions, battles for loose pucks, and bare-knuckle brawls resulted in broken bones, surgeries, and more than 20 concussions. Scars healed, but the pain lingered.

The dream could have become a nightmare for VandenBussche if he chose to go down the painkiller rabbit hole. But he didn’t. He found cannabidiol. “We were given opiates by team doctors. Looking back, I’m surprised I’m still alive.” He told Men’s Health in a recent article.

Dozens of current and former pro athletes have publicly come out in support of further clinical testing and full access to CBD. Some have founded organizations like Athletes for Care, which offers resources for athletes, urges further research, and promotes CBD use. Others have gone so far as to invest or partner in CBD or marijuana companies.

Athletes serving as hype men for hemp appears to be effective; in 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from its list of banned substances. With more athletes poised to step into the cannabis spotlight, here are some of the early adopters on why they support CBD and how they knew it was cool before everyone else did.

Like many people, VandenBussche learned about CBD through “word of mouth” and his own due diligence. Once he tried it, he knew others had to learn about it too.

“As a 14-year professional athlete that has had a dozen surgeries, many broken bones, and north of 20 concussions, it’s better than the alternative,” VandenBussche shared with MensHealth.com. “As athletes, we were given opiates by our team doctors. Looking back after years gone by, I’m surprised I’m still alive.”

Now, VandenBussche teaches others about what CBD can and can’t do for you.

“I believe in all of the healing properties of this plant so much that I went out and purchased a 64-acre farm and submitted an application to Health Canada back in 2013,” he said. Currently, he’s working to turn that farm into medical cannabis that could help others for years to come.

I featured this subject recently in a post on another website I write for:

How CBD assists in workouts and athletics:

As the world becomes more knowledgeable about Cannabidiol (CBD), its use in many forms has been found to be very beneficial for athletes as well as those with a regular workout schedule. Staying fit extends our lives and increases our ability to handle life’s stressors – including physical ailments that cause our body’s homeostasis to become homeostatic. This means that instead of our vital organs working in unison, they start to fight against each other which is a root cause for everything from fatigue, pain, physical and even mental illness. When our bodies are maintained with a healthy Endocannabinoid system, which processes the necessary CBD, we function at our finest. Whether you’re taking in your morning jog and exercise routine or a pro athlete – the same necessity to make gain without too much pain exists.

When considering CBD for pre-workout supplement athletes in the know are aware of its immense anti-inflammatory effects that are noted in countless published studies. When fighting fatigue from vigorous exercise or even a long walk, cannabidiol has multiple ways it helps muscle ache and pain alone, above and beyond its other amazing abilities. When muscles rub against each other during a workout or for the pro athlete, in training, a condition known as DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness is triggered. As the slow and often microscopic tearing of muscle fiber continues, the swelling begins. This is where the CBD used before the workout allows for the consumer to gain the maximum amount of endurance as well as the benefits of relief after the session is over. Inflammation is experienced when muscles are damaged. When muscles are damaged, it becomes difficult to heal until the inflammation is eased – and that’s where CBD becomes one of the best pre-workout supplements I know of as a cannabinoid medicine researcher. As well, CBD is known to reduce anxiety and pain associated with inflammation as well as promote restful sleep. One of the best ways for muscles to heal is to rest so that sleep element is imperative. Many now make the most of their time spent in training for a sport or life by utilizing natural alternatives like Cannabidiol.