<\/p>\n
But can cannabis go beyond helping athletes recover from aches, pains and sprains, and actually increase their performance?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [Click any of the section titles below to jump there]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cannabinoids are chemical compounds, like THC and CBD<\/a>, that the cannabis plant naturally produces and secretes. They mimic chemical compounds naturally produced by mammals like us called endocannabinoids.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both endocannabinoids (made naturally in our bodies) and cannabinoids (made naturally in cannabis plants) are processed through our endocannabinoid system\u2019s complex pathway of receptors. This system affects\u00a0our entire body, influencing everything from our immune system to our nervous system.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before experts believed the elusive \u201crunner\u2019s high,\u201d a wave of calm and euphoria sometimes felt after steady cardio, was from a release of endorphins.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But according to a study performed on mice published in <\/span>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/span><\/i><\/a>, runner\u2019s high is actually caused by an endocannabinoid called <\/span>anandamide<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the study, mice were less anxious and could withstand more pain after running. But when given drugs to block cannabinoids, the mice were more anxious and more sensitive to pain. Scientists concluded that cannabinoid receptors are a \u201ccrucial for main aspects of a runner\u2019s high.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While only performed on mice so far, the analysis suggests cannabis can help athletes achieve a \u201chigh\u201d that allows them to be less anxious and more tolerant to pain\u2014two key elements of strong athletic performance. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another key element to being an athlete? Breathing through pain. <\/span>Studies<\/span><\/a> suggest that THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, can act as a bronchodilator <\/a>to increase airflow to the lungs and decrease air way restriction. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The NFL, its former and current players are pushing for research into cannabis as a treatment for Chronic Traumatic <\/span>Encephalopathy (<\/span>CTE),<\/span> a hotly debated degenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t already know, CTE has made several controversial headlines in the past couple of years and was the subject of the Will Smith movie, <\/span>Concussion<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> found that 99% of deceased NFL players\u2019 brains<\/strong> donated to science showed signs of <\/span>Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some researchers believe its effects like depression, anxiety, memory loss<\/a>, and suicidal thoughts could be mitigated by medicinal cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The following former players are\u00a0very outspoken in their belief that the NFL has a duty to explore all possible treatments for the severe, repetitive bodily harm players undergo, specifically brain injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because of their persistence and that of fellow former players and supporters, the NFL has finally offered to work with the NFL Player\u2019s Union to research cannabis as an acute and chronic pain management medicine<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eugene Monroe<\/span><\/p>\n A top 10 NFL draft pick and former offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, Monroe<\/a> retired from football citing concerns over head injuries sustained during play. Now he’s an advocate for removing cannabis from the NFL\u2019s banned substances list, going as far as funding mmj studies. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ricky Williams<\/span><\/p>\n Former running back and ’98 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams<\/a> (Saints, Dolphins, Ravens) found refuge in the cannabis industry after losing millions in endorsements when he tested positive for THC. Since then, Williams has given numerous speeches as a mmj activist and plans to create cannabis-based healing supplements for athletes.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jim McMahon<\/span><\/p>\n The two-time Super Bowl champ and Football Hall of Fame inductee had a long career as a quarterback for the Bears, Chargers, Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals, Packers and Browns.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n McMahon calls cannabis a \u201cgodsend\u201d for treating chronic back pain and arthritis caused by years of gridiron injuries; it even put an end to his <\/span>100-pill a month Percocet habit<\/span><\/a>. He’s now the spokesperson for the Cannabis Sports Policy Project, focusing on raising awareness for cannabis as an alternative to painkillers.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The NBA and NFL\u2019s cannabis policies seem nearly identical on the surface. Both penalize players with substance abuse programs for their first cannabis-related offense, then give increasing penalties with each infraction.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But in reality, the NBA\u2019s policy amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist<\/strong>. Third-time cannabis infractions result in a 5-game suspension and a fifth infraction will result in a 10-game suspension. This may seem like a lot, but with an 82-game season even a 10 game suspension is only 12%. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is in stark contrast to the NFL\u2019s policy, where a fourth cannabis-related infraction will result in a 4-game suspension and a fifth infraction will bank a 10-game suspension. With just 16 games in a regular season, players can miss anywhere from a quarter to over half of the season for using marijuana. This can cause serious, and sometimes irreversible, harm to a player\u2019s reputation and stock.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even though the NBA has a more lenient policy, it’s still far from protecting the plant\u2019s use as a medical alternative to painkillers.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a result, current and former players like these guys are speaking out about their cannabis use.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cliff Robinson<\/span><\/p>\n NBA All-Star Cliff Robinson made his career as a front man for the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s also very vocal about using cannabis for pain relief and muscle recovery, something that landed him several suspensions due to failed drug tests.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He now has a pre-roll company in Oregon called <\/span>Uncle Cliffy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that markets to athletes for muscle recovery and pain relief. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Phil Jackson<\/span><\/p>\n Jackson, former NBA player, six-time championship winning Chicago Bulls coach and current President of the New York Knicks, <\/span>admitted last year<\/span><\/a> that he used cannabis after a painful back surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He has openly encouraged the NBA to think critically about their approach to cannabis, noting it’s ingrained in the NBA culture.\u00a0<\/span>Much like people view the War On Drugs, Jackson explains that attempts to stop cannabis use have only failed; now it\u2019s time for the organization to consider changing their rules to accommodate its use. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n John Salley<\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps the most surprising on this list is John Salley, who played for the Pistons, Bulls, Heat and Lakers. Despite over a 14-year career that includes four NBA Championships,\u00a0<\/span>Salley<\/span><\/a>\u00a0never tried cannabis until he was in his late thirties.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After foot surgery his surgeon recommended marijuana as an alternative to painkillers that affected Salley\u2019s ability to publicly speak coherently. Now cannabis is a part of his daily routine.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At 51, Salley uses his celebrity platform to promote cannabis reform any chance he gets; this includes speaking at multiple cannabis conferences and investing in cannabis companies like Canopy Growth Company. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In these contact sports, head trauma and bodily injury are the name of the game. Other than football, these may be the two sports whose athletes could benefit most from cannabis’ neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ironically, pro boxers and MMA fighters deal with one of the strictest cannabis policies in professional sports. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While many boxers have been caught and punished for using cannabis, it\u2019s hard to find one that’s an outspoken advocate for the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Former heavyweight champ and boxing legend Mike Tyson <\/strong><\/span>admitted to smoking cannabis<\/span><\/a> throughout his entire career; but he never became a formal advocate or activist for its use.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The same goes for two-time heavyweight world title challenger Chris Arreola<\/strong>, an East L.A. native. Boxing authorities have forced Arreola to vacate two wins after testing positive for THC. Arreola has not contested the boxing authority\u2019s policies or stood up as a cannabis activist.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perhaps professional boxers will feel more inclined to speak out about their cannabis use as perceptions continue to change. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nate & Nick Diaz<\/span><\/p>\n Celebrated and controversial MMA fighter Nate Diaz showed his stance on the matter when he <\/span>smoked a CBD vape pen during a post-fight press conference<\/span><\/a>, explaining it helped him with pain.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nate\u2019s older brother, Nick, another celebrated and controversial fighter, received a 5-year ban from UFC fighting as a result of his cannabis use.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both have spoken out against the UFC’s harsh cannabis policies ever since and released cannabis products in California. Nate has a line of pre-rolls to promote energy and Nick has a line of cannabis pre-rolls to promote recovery, both are available through <\/span>California\u2019s Finest<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) presides over combat sports in the United States, including MMA. Since Nevada passed Adult Use Cannabis, the NAC has <\/span>reportedly<\/span><\/a> said they may drop cannabinoids from their list of illegal substances.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat you'll learn in this post:<\/h2>\n
\n
The Science Behind Cannabis & Increased Athletic Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sports Where Cannabis Is Already Controversial<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Football<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/NFL-258x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Eugene-Monroe-300x269.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Ricky-Williams-1-300x289.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Jim-McMahon-1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBasketball<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/NBA-235x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Cliff-Robinson-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Phil-Jackson-300x287.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/John-Salley-290x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBoxing & Mixed Martial Arts<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"cannabis](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/boxing-300x196.jpg\")
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0![\"UFC](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/UFCLogo2-300x215.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/nate-diaz-1020x560-300x255.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPros & Cons of Athletes Using Cannabis\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n
\n
Cons<\/h3>\n