While the NFL has not been known as the most progressive institution, shifting positions on a controversial issue like cannabis may resonate with a broader society and influence people who may not be as open to new ideas. The NFL has also been one of the driving forces behind the concussion protocol that has now permeated all levels of competitive sports. The league plans to conduct studies on cannabis use within the NFL over the next three years.
Cannabinoids are analgesics
The NFL has been testing players for marijuana use for years, and it’s now exploring whether cannabis, particularly CBD, can help reduce pain and improve athletic performance. However, the empirical evidence for cannabis’ benefits is limited, so the NFL has just recently funded a novel clinical trial to investigate its therapeutic benefits and possible side effects. The study will compare the effects of marijuana and THC, the most commonly found active ingredients in cannabis, to a placebo.
In one study, cannabinoids reduced pain and symptoms in fibromyalgia patients by half. Moreover, half of the patients stopped taking other medicines, and 30 percent had only mild side effects. Another study found that cannabinoids relieve muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis patients, and that they were as effective as codeine at easing pain. This is also the reason why many users tend to buy Candy Punch Regular Seeds and grow them at home.
In another study, players were given a combination of THC and CBD for analgesics. The combination of these two can reduce pain intensity and the incidence of migraine. The study involved two compounds, one containing nine percent CBD and the other containing 19 percent THC. The participants were given oral doses. Phase I of the study showed no significant impact on pain, while phase II revealed a 55 percent reduction in acute pain.
The effect of cannabinoids on appetite has been studied in humans. Although it is not clear whether or not inhaled Cannabis can help cancer patients who have recently been diagnosed with TBI. There are no published studies examining whether or not cannabis has appetite-stimulating effects. But a number of trials have shown that CBD and THC can help patients with cancer suffer from chronic pain.
They reduce inflammation
Cannabis has been gaining momentum in the world of professional sports, including the NFL. Research suggests that cannabis may help NFL players overcome concussions and chronic pain. Its anti-inflammatory effects may make it a valuable tool in treating traumatic brain injuries. Many players use opioids to cope with these pains, but research suggests that cannabis may be a safer and more effective alternative. Read on for a first-hand account of an NFL player who turned to cannabis for pain relief.
A study conducted by Washington University found that cannabis influence within the NFL has a positive impact on the treatment of chronic and new injuries. Cannabis works on the cannabinoid receptors of the body’s nervous system and inflammatory cells, which help to stabilize inflammation. The study also involved professional rugby players, though the NFL did not participate. Cannabis is a safe alternative to opioids, but it is not widely known how it affects sports performance.
Regardless of how the marijuana plant affects performance, many professional athletes are turning to cannabis as an alternative treatment to reduce pain and speed recovery. While the empirical evidence on the efficacy of marijuana for pain relief and recovery is sparse, the NFL has recently made use of cannabidiol legal for athletes. The league is funding research to better understand the benefits and risks of alternative pain management. CBD is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as neuroprotective and analgesic properties. It also has a positive effect on sleep and anxiety, but it is not yet clear if this will translate to performance gains.
While the use of medical marijuana has been a topic of Super Bowl hype in recent years, the NFL has yet to sanction a single player for using it. However, the NFL did give a $1 million grant to medical researchers to study its effects on inflammation. The money will be used to research cannabis’s influence on pain management and concussion neuroprotection, and is already legal in Europe. It is likely that the NFL will continue to test players for marijuana in the coming years.
They are addictive
According to a Washington University study, 71% of retired NFL players admit to addiction to opioids. This is nearly four times higher than the general population, which is concerning. This is despite the fact that opioid overdoses killed more than 28,000 Americans in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the risks of opioid abuse, some players see cannabis as an effective way to treat chronic pain and lessen depression and anxiety.
The harsh punishment of NFL players has also caused controversy. The harsh punishments meted out to a few players have soured the NFL’s reputation with the public. The NFL is unfairly punishing its players who are simply getting high. Fans and critics believe that drug testing should be rehabilitative and not punish players for minor drug use. However, the NFL has used the use of cannabis as an excuse to ruin careers and extract concessions from the players’ association.
The NFL, along with the players’ union, has made some changes in their drug policy regarding cannabis use. They will provide accommodations for players who test positive for marijuana. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also acknowledged that cannabis could be a useful pain management tool. While NFL players may not realize it, marijuana is widely used by many other professional athletes and is widely available. If it can be used in a medical setting, marijuana will certainly be allowed in professional sports.
Although marijuana use is prohibited for active players, it is permitted for athletes with a “therapeutic use exemption” if it is used for a medical condition. In James’ case, the NFL denied his application for the exemption, but he refused to give up. Then, he retired after nine seasons. He still uses opioids and painkillers, but he has a legal alternative to those powerful painkillers.
Side Notes
There is no doubt that marijuana has become a controversial subject in recent years. It has also become a part of the Super Bowl hype. Despite this, the NFL is not going to suspend players for using cannabis, as it did in previous seasons. Instead, the NFL is handing out $1 million to medical researchers to study the health effects of marijuana on athletes. The research is set to focus on pain management, as well as neuroprotection from concussions.
Although there is no direct evidence to suggest that marijuana is addictive, the influence of cannabis is still significant. Some research has shown that cannabis can reduce the severity of concussions. The effects of cannabis are also known to curtail alcohol abuse and violent behavior as a result of concussions. Fortunately, cannabis is a safe and effective alternative to opioids for pain management and has many other health benefits. Nevertheless, the NFL leadership has not fully acknowledged that marijuana has medical benefits.
It is not clear how much marijuana is used by NFL players. However, the lawsuit alleges that the NFL team dispensed large quantities of prescription painkillers to injured players. However, former players say that marijuana is a safer alternative. The players are not knowingly choosing to get high, but rather they are voluntarily medicating themselves to avoid pain. Cannabis advocates are hopeful that more players will take advantage of this policy and make their recovery faster and more comfortable.
While the NFL is conservative by nature, there are several reasons why the decision to ban cannabis is sound. A former NFL player has openly admitted to using cannabis before and after games. He has since become a vocal advocate for marijuana and even co-founded a gym dedicated to cannabis. It is also an important step forward in the fight against the NFL’s drug policy. So far, he has been successful in voicing his opposition and working with the Gridiron Cannabis Coalition.
