Why are some NFL Players making CBD a part of their regimen?

For decades there has been controversy surrounding the substances that are allowed in the sports world, with regards to what can and can’t be used to help enhance their overall performance. In the middle of this controversy, is of course one of the most physical national sports played, Football. So now that the SuperBowl is over, and we have no question who the GOAT (greatest of all time) quarterback is, let’s look into some of the common questions the sports authorities are reviewing with regards to CBD.

CBD in the NFL has become a huge topic in recent years. Many players have been very vocal about wanting the NFLPA to lift the ban on CBD and cannabis usage so that players struggling with pain could benefit from the natural plant’s therapeutic aspects.

The first step towards that process was taken, In 2020, when the NFL held a forum on cbd use, and whether or not it should be considered and allowed by players struggling with pain. This made many players hopeful that CBD could one day be allowed in the NFL. A pain management committee was created by the NFL to meet with the manufacturers of CBD to explore whether the two could mix.

“The NFL-NFLPA Pain Management Committee is a jointly formed committee tasked with providing advice to the league and union regarding recent developments in the area of pain management for elite athletes,” the league and the players’ union said in a joint statement. “In furtherance of its duties, the Committee has been asked to brief the parties on the current state of pain management and alternative therapies, including cannabis, cannabinoids and CBD. The Committee invited manufacturers of CBD products to share their research today so the Committee may hear and consider the possible scientific evidence base for CBD use as a pain management alternative. This meeting was an educational and scientific exercise and does not impact the jointly administered Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse. We look forward to the continued cooperative work of the Joint Committee.”

Can CBD Potentially Help in Sports?

When a player gets injured, it’s all too common for that player to be provided with pharmaceuticals like pain-relieving medications, like such as opioids. While medication can definitely help with relieving pain, they often come with a big risk for addiction, abuse, and dependency. This is why it’s becoming more common for players and people in general to look into natural alternatives (in and outside of the sports world.) CBD or cannabidiol is often brought up in conversation because it’s derived from a natural plant that has been used for thousands of years for its therapeutic properties.

With proven anti-inflammatory properties, CBD has become a great natural alternative for those who suffer from inflammation due to certain health conditions or injuries. Many customers at Come Back Daily enjoy using Cause+Medic’s 400mg CBD  Cream.

For NFL players, the risk of inflammation and painful injuries is very high. Even without suffering an actual injury, inflammation and pain are all part of the game for many due to the strenuous nature of the sport. CBD demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant effects by activating PPARs, either directly or indirectly which can potentially help athletes to recover more quickly, if they’re suffering from inflammation.

NFL Players that Are Speaking Out

More and more NFL players like Rob Gronkowski and Ricky Williams, are campaigning for CBD, and encouraging that the NFL restrictions be eased up, and it’s not hard to see why.

Jake Plummer is another former player who turned to CBD about three years ago after undergoing several hip surgeries. Since then, he’s become a strong advocate for CBD research, and even founded Athletes for Care, a non-profit organization with a focus on alternative treatment options for athletes.

Although there’s still got a long way to go for CBD products to be fully approved by the NFL association there are several NFL players fighting for change, and we hope that it’s only a matter of time before we see the NFL policies towards CBD reshaped for the future.