CBD and Soccer: Revolutionizing CBD Use in Sports

Written by Cathy Rozyczko — Edited by Jason Brett on September 27, 2021

For fans of soccer (or football as most of the world calls it), there is likely a lot of speculation about how the world's most popular sport has reacted to the increase in athletes using CBD to boost their physical and emotional health.

Considering the use of CBD is still controversial in certain sports due to its connection to cannabis, many fans worry that their favorite athlete may be putting themselves at risk of being disciplined if they are caught using CBD. To help you understand this pressing issue, here is a look at the current state of CBD use in soccer/football.

Are Athletes Allowed to Use CBD?

When asking whether or not athletes are allowed to use CBD, the answer is . . . it depends, as regulations regarding CBD use vary from country to country and even across sports.

However, there has been a great deal of change in the last several years regarding the use of CBD in sports, primarily due to The World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) change of position on CBD. WADA, which governs banned substances for global athletic events such as the Olympics, removed CBD from its banned substances list in 2018. This paved the way for athletes around the world to take advantage of the benefits CBD can provide without having to worry about being banned from global sporting events as long as they do not use CBD products that contain THC (THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, is still considered a banned substance).

WADA's removal of CBD from its banned substances list has caused many sports leagues to follow suit. This includes the Federation Internationale de Football Association (or FIFA, as it is more commonly known, which is the international governing body for soccer whose membership now encompasses over 211 national associations), which made history by allowing players to use CBD at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

What About American Soccer Players?

If you are specifically concerned about your favorite soccer players in the United States, there is no need for concern. While other sporting associations in the United States continue to ban CBD use, the Major League Soccer closely follows the regulations set out by WADA and FIFA, meaning that players were allowed to start using CBD once WADA removed it from their banned substances list. In fact, MLS is set to break new ground, as it is rumored that they will soon allow teams to have commercial partnerships with CBD companies. This would make MLS the first major pro sports league in the United States to allow teams to sign CBD sponsorships, which could have a major impact on the way CBD is viewed and treated in sports. Major League Soccer is then paving the way towards making CBD more accessible to athletes across the country.

How Can Soccer Players Benefit from CBD?

If you are new to CBD, or you are not familiar with the many health benefits that it can provide, then you may find yourself wondering what all the fuss is about and why athletes are advocating for the use of CBD. However, the fact is that CBD has been shown time and again to have the potential to provide professional athletes with a variety of unique benefits, which is why many soccer players have begun to advocate for its use in the sport. This includes iconic women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who uses CBD to combat chronic pain that she battles as the result of multiple knee injuries she has sustained over the course of her career, including two torn ACLs. For soccer players whose bodies are constantly subjected to physical and mental abuse in the name of the sport they love, CBD can help to provide relief in many ways, including by:

Reducing Pain and Inflammation

As any soccer fan knows, soccer can be a brutal sport that puts a great deal of strain on player's bodies. In fact, athletes across disciplines often deal with chronic pain, which is why so many prominent athletes are advocating for the use of CBD. This is because CBD has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. According to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH), CBD was discovered to act as an anti-inflammatory by targeting certain receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This allows it to provide significant pain relief without causing a tolerance to be built up, which is a problem with many pain relievers. This makes CBD a great option for soccer players suffering from chronic pain, as they can achieve relief without having to worry about the dangers of taking opioids and other pain medications.

Easing Performance Anxiety

Believe it or not, even the most seasoned and famous athletes suffer from performance anxiety. This is particularly true when soccer players perform on a global stage, as they know that their country is counting on them, and the whole world is watching. Unfortunately, this performance anxiety often arrives at the worst of times, causing players to be distracted and make costly errors when their teams need them most. If you have ever seen a soccer star fumble what should have been an easy shot, it is likely that their anxiety got the better of them. Fortunately, many players find that CBD provides calming effects that help them to relax on the field. While this may seem like it would be some kind of placebo effect, studies have shown that CBD can help to induce feelings of calmness and well-being in people with anxiety, making it a great option for soccer players who suffer from performance anxiety.

Protecting Muscles

Not only can long hours of running and training lead to chronic pain and anxiety, but it can also put a great deal of strain on one's muscles, leaving soccer players susceptible to torn and pulled muscles as well as other serious injuries. Fortunately, CBD may provide the perfect solution. Studies suggest that oral CBD products could help to protect an athlete's muscles by inhibiting the production of cortisol. High levels of cortisol in the body can suppress muscle growth and recovery, so taking CBD could help promote muscle health.

Since its declassification by WADA as a banned substance, soccer players have begun to discover the potential benefits that CBD can provide. And it looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Found out more about the best CBD products for inflammation and more from your trusted advocates at CBD Oil Review.

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