Athletics

Athletes Find Cannabis Beneficial While Actively Training

Cannabis use in active athletes- Behaviors related to subjective effects

In Summary

A recent study has found that the majority of athletes surveyed found cannabis beneficial when treating chronic pain and anxiety while still reporting elevated levels of fitness. The data suggested that adult athletes used cannabis in extremely responsible fashions, primarily reporting use for medical ailments, with 61% reporting daily use of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or a combination of both. Those who reported the greatest benefits and the largest amount of negative effects were long term users of a combination of CBD and THC. Cannabis may prove to be a novel therapy for current athletes during their recovery. 

Interestingly, less than 30% of athletes who used cannabis products supported recreational use. There appears to be a group of medical users who find that the legalization of recreational cannabis is a hindrance to their care. Luckily most dispensaries in Massachusetts attempt to account for this issue by providing a separate entrance or section of the dispensary for medical use only so that they can avoid the mass of recreational users, although parking can still be an issue. Recreational use should not hinder medical care for patients, suggesting that separate retail locations or methods of retrieval should remain in place, if not become further segregated, to provide ease for medical users. 

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Benjamin Caplan, MDAthletes Find Cannabis Beneficial While Actively Training
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Flavonoids Help Post-Workout Recovery in Endurance Athletes

Mixed Flavonoid Supplementation Attenuates Post-Exercise Plasma Levels of Protein Carbonyls and 4-Hydroxynonenal Protein Adducts Levels in Endurance Athletes (P23-009-19)

In Summary

Researchers have recently exposed the benefits of flavonoid supplements in endurance athletes. The mixed flavonoid supplement included quercetin, a flavonoid found in cannabis plants, and was able to mitigate the oxidative stress that occurs post-exercise in endurance athletes. The other flavonoids harnessed from green tea and bilberry extracts were also included in the antioxidant supplement whose combined efforts were able to minimize the damaging effects of oxidation. The development of these all-natural supplements may provide a beneficial way for athletes to recover from intense workouts while complying with regulations set by sports associations. 

Novel recovery techniques like the one featured in this paper are important for recovering athletes trying to navigate harsh regulations set by overarching organizations. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been praised and is well known for its therapeutic techniques, yet many athletes fear to utilize CBD during recovery from an injury or intense workout because it lays in a moral grey area for most athletic organizations. For example, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a banned substance according to the NCAA and although CBD is not the NCAA still warns against its use due to the possibility of THC contamination. Athletes should be mindful to check with their organization for cannabis rules and ensure the products they use during recovery, such as CBD, come from a trusted source.

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Benjamin Caplan, MDFlavonoids Help Post-Workout Recovery in Endurance Athletes
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Forbes feature: Solo Sciences

A worthy look at the future of consumer empowerment in cannabis and beyond: Solo Sciences, inc

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeadams/2019/07/30/former-cia-profiler-claims-most-packaged-cannabis-products-are-fake/#2ad55a7f66c1

Check out http://solosciences.com for more!

Benjamin Caplan, MDForbes feature: Solo Sciences
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Student-Athletes are at an Increased Risk for Binge Drinking and Substance Use

Title: Psychological correlates and binge drinking behaviours among Canadian youth- a cross-sectional analysis of the mental health pilot data from the COMPASS study

A recent study has examined data from the COMPASS program and found that student-athletes in Canada were more likely to engage in binge-drinking and illicit substance use. Researchers focussed on the measure of flourishing, defined as an overall healthy mental state and emotional connectedness, and how flourishing related to concerning drinking and substance use behavior. Student-athletes were found to be the most at risk for binge-drinking, defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in a single session, and those more likely to binge-drink were also more likely to co-use illicit substances. This research provides evidence for the formation of targeted prevention programs.

Cannabis use is banned among athletes by most sports organizations. Cannabis appeals to athletes considering the many different consumption methods, allowing discreet consumption and personalization with variable potential opportunities for relief. Cannabinoids are generally naturally occurring substances unless clearly manufactured, and have been shown to be beneficial for post-workout recovery, muscle soreness, anxiety, sleep, and relaxation. All of those symptoms, including the emotionally driven ones, are common among student-athletes who often feel an immense amount of pressure to perform in competition. As in most other areas of modern culture, Cannabidiol (CBD) finds itself in a grey area for most sports organizations’ substance regulations given that it is not intoxicating and readily available with a notable safety profile. Even if cannabis is not federally legal, CBD is so widely available that many athletes are embracing it, in lieu of more dangerous, or potentially addictive, medications.

Tweet: A recent study has examined data from the #COMPASS program and found that #studentathletes in Canada were more likely to engage in #binge-drinking and illicit substance use. Read this and other linked studies:

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Benjamin Caplan, MDStudent-Athletes are at an Increased Risk for Binge Drinking and Substance Use
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