NFL Allocates $1 Million to Research Effects of CBD on Pain Management

The NFL announced in February 2022 that it had authorized $1 million in grants for research on the impact of marijuana and components like CBD in managing athletes’ pain and offering neuroprotection from concussions. The National Football League decided to fund two teams of medical researchers from the University of Regina and University of California San Diego to investigate how cannabinoids could support pain management and concussion prevention in football players. 

The funds conclude the NFL Joint Pain Management Committee’s request for research for alternative treatments for pain management. The PMC first initiated the call for research proposals in 2021 and received 106 submissions. The NFL Research and Innovation Committee used the National Institutes of Health format to grade the proposals and reduce their number to 10 to present their findings orally and provide extensive written materials to the Committee. 

The National Football League awarded $1 million to the research proposals “Effects of Cannabinoids on Pain and Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries in Elite Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial” led by Drs. Thomas Marcotte and Mark Wallace and “Naturally Produced Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection from Concussion and Participation in Contact Sports” led by Dr. J. Patrick Neary. 

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“Effects of Cannabinoids on Pain and Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries in Elite Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial” had the goal to evaluate the therapeutic and side effects of THC, CBD, and combined THC/CBD in comparison to placebo for pain relief after sports competitions. Athletes should vaporize treatments on injured areas and enter the results in a phone app, enabling researchers to monitor their evolution. The study is meant to offer data on the possible effects of cannabinoids for sports-related pain and injuries and support more extensive studies in the domain. 

“Naturally Produced Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection from Concussion and Participation in Contact Sports” aims to determine if products containing cannabinoids can be used safely to manage pain and reduce the use of prescription drugs. It also tries to identify the neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids and if they could prevent or reduce the severity or incidence of concussion in athletes. The project’s purpose is to provide essential information about alternative medical care for chronic musculoskeletal pain and brain trauma in professional football players. 

These research initiatives require three years to provide conclusive results. There’s no guarantee that the research will have positive findings that confirm the pain-relieving properties of cannabinoids for professional athletes. Still, there’s hope it’ll provide more extensive information on how they help in pain management. 

The NFL’s drug testing regulations have changed since 2020 due to the Committee’s interest in cannabinoids’ properties. Athletes no longer face the possibility of suspension from games if they test positive for cannabinoids. 

What we know about CBD for pain management so far

CBD is short for cannabinoids, and it’s a natural compound in hemp and marijuana plants. Healthcare specialists state it can improve seizures, pain, mental health issues and several other problems. 

CBD comes in various forms

You can take CBD in multiple ways, from oils to pills, chewable gels, and creams. However, it’s crucial to ensure you buy only the best CBD flower strains online because not all CBD products are the same. Different providers offer different qualities of CBD products, and you should research to determine if the company you purchase from is reliable. 

Capsules and pills are usually filled with CBD in a liquid form like oil. Depending on your preferences, you can take CBD pills with or without food. If you use CBD capsules for pain relief, you should know that there is a delay in its effect as you have to wait for your digestive system to break down the capsule and then for your blood flow to distribute the contents. 

If you dislike pills, you may find oils and tinctures more convenient to take. You only have to place a drop under your tongue, and you’ll quickly experience its effects. Oils and tinctures are designed for topical use, so you can use them when you experience stiffness, tingling, burning, or other similar aches. Creams and lotions are also made for topical use as you can massage them directly into your skin. 

CBD doesn’t make you high

CBD doesn’t make you high (THC, another substance in marijuana or hemp plants, does it). So, if you use CBD products and check their labels to ensure it doesn’t contain THC, you don’t have to worry that you’ll get any side effects. It’s also recommended to read the amount of the ingredients the product includes to determine because the industry isn’t heavily regulated, and some producers may add other components that could trigger side effects. 

The FDA approved a CBD-based drug for seizures so far, both adults and children over age one could use. However, healthcare specialists extensively recommend using CBD in various forms as alternative treatments for pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and other similar conditions. Scientists concluded that cannabinoids could help with arthritis, and patients suffering from HIV state they use it to relieve nerve pain. There’s also evidence pointing out that it can alleviate muscle spasms connected to multiple sclerosis, but more research is needed in the sector. 

CBD can reduce joint inflammation

If you’ve ever dealt with sports-related injuries, you know that inflammation is the cause behind several conditions and symptoms. Research shows that CBD can lower inflammation in the joints, especially if you suffer from osteoarthritis. Studies also show that cannabinoids reduce joint inflammation-related pain and prevent nerve damage if administered via injections. Similar to pain relief prescription medicines, CBD activates the receptors in your brain, telling your body the pain is gone even if your injury or health issue still exists. Healthcare specialists state that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that address the symptoms at their source without manipulating the brain. However, you can still experience pain relief even when you first take it before your body is fully healed. Cannabinoids are also effective in supporting the body to repair itself. 

Considering its multiple benefits, it’s no wonder that the NFL decided to invest funds in researching its effects on pain management in professional athletes.