Many football leagues around the world have updated their legislation to allow their players to use CBD. This matches the last decade of legislation in most countries that legalized CBD for regular use as long as it contains no THC. It also matches a decision from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to remove the ban on using CBD.
Football is an intense physical sport for its athletes. There are many starts and stops, and it puts stress on the body in numerous ways. At the same time, there is an increased awareness that painkillers like NSAIDs and opioid medication can have a serious long-term impact on the physical health of people who take them, including addiction. Since CBD has little to minor side effects and is not addictive, it is now viewed as having a lot of potential to help professional athletes treat their aches and pains without risking their health. Here are the three main ways that CBD is being used by professional football players.
1. Natural, Safe Pain Relief
Every professional athlete has to play through minor aches and pains during the grind of a season. In addition to all of their games and practices, they also perform intense workouts regularly in order to stay in peak shape. CBD has proven effective as a painkiller, not just in masking the pain but eliminating the sensation of it. This is because CBD binds to the receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS) that runs through our nervous system. By doing so, the feeling of pain is reduced safely. This is why footballers are taking CBD softgel capsules to reduce their everyday pain.
2. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is another source of pain and stiffness that can affect an athlete’s performance. This is especially true for footballers who put a lot of stress on the joints, muscles and ligaments in their feet, legs and core. That stress causes inflammation, which can range from discomfort to pain. It can also lead to stiffness in the affected area so range of motion is more limited. This recovery period can prevent an athlete from working out or performing at their best. Thankfully, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so it won’t just reduce the sensation of pain, it will also reduce inflammation.
3. Treat Performance Anxiety
Professional footballers don’t just have to maintain peak physical shape, they also have to be mentally sharp as well. That means removing any distractions or uncertainty caused by fear, doubt, insecurity, or anxiety. Professional athletes pay a lot of money to get mental coaching to keep them confident and focused. CBD has also been found to reduce anxiety, including in people who have performance anxiety. The same principle applies to performing at the highest levels of football.
Aside from being able to help footballers in these three ways, the other benefit of CBD is that it is safe to use. It only has more severe side effects if it is taken in extreme quantities well beyond the realm of a normal dose. It can also interact negatively with certain medications. If you are a footballer looking to try CBD to help gain an edge, make sure you speak with a doctor first if you are taking any other medications.
