Athletes Who Recommend Cannabis in Sport

Pro-sports are hard on the athletes that play them. Football is probably the hardest. Broken bones, concussions, sprains, strains, and bruises are an everyday occurrence in their job. Chronic pain and stiffness is the side-effect, especially as they age. Many athletes turn to drugs and alcohol to ease their chronic pain. Several have found cannabis to work better and have become staunch advocates. They recommend marijuana in sports.

Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins is a former defensive lineman in the NFL. He played for 13 seasons for teams including the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington. During his career, his go-to for pain was Vicodin, alcohol, and other pills until family members suggested CBD instead. He’s now a staunch advocate.

 

Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams was an NFL running back for 12 seasons. He’s always been an outspoken user of marijuana. For much of his career, he played for the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins.

During his time with the NFL, he failed four drug tests for using cannabis products. He was also suspended for an entire season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Post football he is taking his advocacy for cannabis in his own hands. He created Real Wellness, a company that makes health and wellness products that contain both THC and CBD.

 

Kyle Turley

Kyle Turley was an NFL Offensive lineman. His 8 season career included playing with the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. During his professional football years, he became reliant on pain killers. He believes this contributed to his 20-year struggle with depression, anxiety, and rage. He strongly feels his life turned around when he started using marijuana to help ease his symptoms and stopped taking painkillers.

Shaun Smith

Shaun Smith played in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints.

After his years as a pro-athlete, he was finally diagnosed with depression, Bi-polar disorder, and anxiety. He also suffers from sleep disorders. The one thing he feels that helped him was cannabis. He believes he can assist other athletes with overcoming their symptoms from chronic injuries by using cannabis. To do this, he established Athletes for Care with Matt Barnes and Al Harrington. His goal with the organization is to help others understand what cannabis really is as a medicinal and therapeutic treatment.

Effects of Cannabis

Cannabis has a long history of recreational use but has also been touted for its medicinal purposes. There are two primary compounds in marijuana, CBD and THC. Both substances are commonly used for their healing qualities including, relieving localized pain and as an anti-inflammatory. For athletes and non-athletes, the benefits of cannabis on workouts include helping to reduce the chance for sports injuries and relief of post-workout muscle cramps, strains, and stiffness.

The effects of marijuana on an athlete depends on the strain they are using. There are three main strains, Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. The most commonly used variety is Sativa. Compounds in the Sativa plant are known for their energizing properties. Indica varieties have a more mellowing, and relaxing effect. Both can be used for athletes in sports, but are not prohibited.

Marijuana in Sports

Cannabis usage regulations in sports are governed by several world-wide sports authorities. According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in conjunction with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the use of cannabinoids and marijuana in sports is prohibited. Although in some instances a waiver may be considered if the athlete is approved for a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

Per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, a substance must meet three criteria to be placed on the prohibited list.

1. “It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance.”
2. “It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete.”
3. “It violates the spirit of the sport.”

Marijuana in sports may seem like a good thing. Cannabis can help relax tense muscles and reduce pain during post-workout recovery. It can also decrease an athlete’s anxiety and tension. This can make him perform better under pressure. That should be a good thing in pro-sports. It’s not. The rules don’t allow any performance-enhancing drugs that can give one athlete or team and unfair advantage over another.

Another reason for the ban is marijuana can alter moods. The effects of cannabis on athletes is they may forget painful incidents or no longer become concerned about getting hurt and push themselves past their fears and pain. This can cause traumatic injury to themselves or other players.

Research shows that marijuana use may also cause adverse effects on respiratory, cardiac, and mental health. Frequent smokers have an increased risk of lung infections and acute illnesses. It also may increase the heart rate by at least 20%, which can escalate the risk of a heart attack.

Some research has linked chronic marijuana use to mental health issues, including paranoia and psychosis. With these health risks, the governing agencies have stated that marijuana in sports can be detrimental to a professional athlete’s health and well-being.

If you’re an athlete or someone interested in the health benefits of marijuana, you can find more information and products at your local cannabis dispensary.

You’re seeing CBD products sold almost everywhere now. Along with the products, there seems to be a ton of information about its amazing healing benefits. One of such products is CBD oil. Let’s find out what is CBD oil used for.

Firstly, what is CBD oil?

There are hundreds of compounds found in a marijuana plant. Many are processed for both medical and recreational purposes. THC and CBD are the most well-known and commonly used extracts from the plant.

THC

Also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the psychoactive substance in the pot that gives the user a feeling of being “high.” Different strains and levels of THC are known to create a wide variety of responses and moods in a user. These can range from relaxation to elevated levels of energy and euphoria. Higher levels of THC have a stronger effect on the user, and lower amounts tend to have less of an impact.

CBD

Unlike THC, the chemicals in CBD don’t have psychoactive qualities. Users can’t get high from the substance. CBD is touted for its wide array of healing properties. Some of its homeopathic uses include pain relief, inducing sleep, soothing skin conditions, and as an anti-inflammatory.

Now you know what it is, what is CBD oil used for?

For Your Skin

Your skin will love CBD oil! It’s full of nourishing substances, including vitamins A, D, E, essential fatty acids, and amino acids. Use it before you put on your makeup for a healthy glow. As an anti-inflammatory product CBD oil calms the skin, helps to diminish breakouts, and reduces redness.

Its antioxidant properties help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. These antioxidants in CBD fight free radicals that damage skin cells and enhance collagen production. Collagen is a protein in the skin that gives it elasticity that makes it look smooth, young, and healthy. As we age the production of collagen slows down, reducing the elasticity and causing those pesky wrinkles and lines.

Other CBD oil uses for the skin include a moisturizer to reduce redness and flaking, to rejuvenate a dull complexion, and to even-out skin tone.

CBD oil can Help Knock-out Acne!

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition. CBD oil benefits that help fight acne include its anti-inflammatory and skin-calming properties. CBD oil does this by helping to regulate the oil production that causes acne. It’s better for your skin than many prescription medications. CBD oil doesn’t cause redness, dryness, and peeling that are typical in the initial stage of using a retinoid that is often prescribed to treat acne. It’s also a non-steroidal treatment, much better overall for your skin!

Pain Relief

CBD oil benefits include both anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities. This makes it a viable treatment for health issues where discomfort and pain are significant symptoms. CBD oil uses include topically to reduce pain in a specific area or ingested as a tincture or spray for all-over pain relief. It’s easily added to creams, lotions, and gels as a safe, effective topical treatment.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common problem for people with chronic pain. The chemicals in CBD oil have properties to help the person relax and reduce their pain so they can sleep. A good night’s sleep lets the body heal, which in turn can also help reduce chronic pain. CBD is a safer alternative treatment for both pain and sleep disorders. Traditional medications have serious side effects and are known to be highly addictive, such as opiates.

Depression

With its relaxing qualities, CBD has been shown to have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety benefits. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), approximately 17.3 million American adults suffer from a major depressive disorder. Adults with a depressive disorder are 64 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease. Depression is often co-occurring with other illnesses and disorders, including anxiety. CBD oil effects include overall relaxation that can help slow down over-active thoughts and reduce depression. It usually has fewer side effects than traditional anti-depression medicines.

Heart Health

CBD oil benefits include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These have been shown to help the cardiovascular system by reducing risk factors leading to heart disease. CBD oil effects that include anti-anxiety and analgesic properties help relax blood vessels which in turn can lower blood pressure. The oils can also help to improve cholesterol.

How to Use CBD Oil

Are you confused about how to use CBD oil? There are a variety of different ways to gain amazing benefits. Smoking is a common way to consume the product. If you don’t like the side effects of smoking, but like its quick effect, you can try vaping. With vaping, you are inhaling vapors, not smoke.

The vaping device heats up oil in a cartridge. When heated, the oil creates a vapor. The vapor is inhaled through a mouthpiece. A simple method for users is a CBD vape cartridge. With its similar shape to a pen and smaller size, it’s a discrete and portable device to have your CBD oil with you at all times conveniently.

You can find cannabis products at your local California marijuana dispensary If you have your medical marijuana license, your doctor can offer you ways how to use CBD oil.

The popularity and legal usage of cannabis are growing as people realize the incredible benefits the drug can offer. However, particularly if you live in a state that has legalized both, the distinction between medical vs. recreational marijuana can seem foggy at times. Let’s clear the cloud and look at some of the core differences.

Laws Surrounding Medical and Recreational Marijuana

The laws governing cannabis vary across states. The recreational use of cannabis is now legal in 11 states and Washington D.C., including California, Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Oregon. Medical marijuana is legal in an additional 22 states and US territories Puerto Rico and Guam. However, any use of marijuana is still considered illegal under federal government because the DEA does not believe the benefits of marijuana are sufficient to relegate it from a schedule 1 drug (meaning it’s perceived to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse).

Shopping for Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana

Because medical marijuana is used under the supervision and guidance of a medical professional in the US, users have to have what is known as a ‘recommendation’ from their doctor, and they will be given a medical cannabis card that they have to take with them when they get their weed. You need to be over 18 to buy medical cannabis, but minors can legally access it in approved cases such as certain types of seizures.

With recreational cannabis, anyone over the age of 21 can purchase it from a state-licensed dispensary, and all they need is a valid ID to prove their age.

Be aware that costs can differ quite radically between medical and recreational cannabis because of taxes on recreational cannabis.

Purpose

Most people use medical marijuana for pain control, particularly for chronic pain—something that affects millions of Americans. There is a growing body of research supporting the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Some studies and anecdotal evidence have shown that marijuana can be used for a variety of medical problems, including sickness and nausea caused by chemotherapy, as a muscle relaxant for Parkinson’s, epilepsy and MS and even for PTSD. Medical cannabis often comes in the form of tinctures, oils, balms, and edibles because of the added health risks of smoking.

Generally, the purpose of recreational marijuana is to get high. But with so many strains now available, a ‘high’ can be very nuanced and mean different things to different users. Some consumers might want to feel energized and creative – something that is likely to come from Sativa strains – while others want bodily relaxation and stress relief – something that Indica strains offer. Unlike medical marijuana, recreational marijuana tends to be smoked or vaporized.

Chemical Components and Their Effects

This is probably the main difference between medical and recreational cannabis. Marijuana has over 100 active components called cannabinoids. Depending on the marijuana strain you choose, either THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or CBD (cannabidiol) will be the dominant compound, and these cannabinoids are the ones that have the greatest therapeutic effects.

Medical marijuana often has a higher level of CBD, which tempers the psychoactive effects or the ‘high’ that you would get using recreational weed containing more THC. CBD has calming effects, which help with anxiety, and there is substantial proof that CBD can heal the body and decrease inflammation levels, with evidence so compelling that the world anti-doping agency has removed it from its list of banned substances.

In contrast, recreational cannabis is much higher in THC–the psychoactive compound in marijuana–and people use it to encourage and enhance effects such as euphoria, relaxation, increased libido and distortions in perception. THC actually has its own medicinal effects, but it can also increase anxiety and paranoia. The effects of marijuana also obviously vary depending on the person and the potency.

The Difference Between Medical and Recreational Cannabis Potency

There actually isn’t a difference between the flowers and the concentrates used to make medical and recreational marijuana, but the potency of medical cannabis is usually higher. Medical marijuana is subject to much tighter regulations than recreational to ensure safety and efficacy. The aim of medical marijuana is to offer the perfect balance of THC and CBD to treat a specific health issue without side effects—this is what is called a therapeutic dose. Conversely, there are caps on the potency of recreational marijuana—sellers are only allowed to offer a certain level of THC in their cannabis products, and it can be more difficult to test and regulate the THC to CBD ratio.

Whether you decide to use medical marijuana vs. recreational cannabis will depend on what you want from the experience and the effects that you are looking to gain, as well as the laws and regulations in your state. Either way, cannabis can be an amazing way of improving many aspects of your life.

There is a huge amount of fake news swirling around out there about marijuana and its effects. The discussion around legalizing marijuana can get emotions running high, with people standing stridently on one side or the other. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the most common myths wafting around about cannabis products and clear the haze to reveal the reality. Here are the most common marijuana myths debunked!

“Marijuana is a Gateway Drug”

The idea that Marijuana use can lead to harder drugs like cocaine and heroin is prevalent. Although many users of illicit ‘class A’ drugs have previously used marijuana (probably because it is widely available) that certainly doesn’t mean that it causes the use of harder drugs. Correlation is not causality. A report by the institute of medicine actually stated that “There is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs.”

Because underage smoking and alcohol use tend to precede marijuana use, marijuana can’t be seen as the first or most common “gateway” to illicit drug use. Marijuana has also been found to be much less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, not to mention harder drugs; you can’t overdose on it and it doesn’t have the toxicity of alcohol and other substances.  So, just to be clear, you don’t need to worry about that spliff leading you down a dark road to meth addiction.

“Marijuana is addictive”

Firstly, let’s look at what addiction actually means. Addiction is defined by the NIH (National Institute on Drug Abuse) as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain’.

Now, although there has been some evidence of dependence on cannabis in certain frequent, long-term users, casual use is certainly not going to lead to addiction. When you consider the fact that many pot smokers are not actually heavy users, the idea of addiction becomes even less viable. Measured against other drugs, research has suggested that about 9 percent of marijuana products users become dependent compared to 15 percent of cocaine users and 24 percent of heroin users. Most cannabis users can stop smoking when they want to (unlike cigarette smokers) and they don’t have a compulsive drive to use the drug. It’s also important to note that people who use medical marijuana for chronic health issues typically use it for long-term symptom management, and this should never be mistaken for addiction.

“Marijuana kills brain cells”

Ever walk into a room and wonder what you’re doing there? Well, rest assured that it isn’t blazing up that has given you temporary amnesia. There is intense discussion over the neurological effects of marijuana, and the anti-cannabis brigade would have you believe that a single toke will make you forget where you live. However, evidence from several scientific studies seems to suggest otherwise.

Some studies have shown that when adolescents are exposed to very high levels of THC–the psychoactive component of marijuana–it can cause changes in cognition, but this is probably because of the malleability of the brain at this stage of life. In contrast, a study by researchers at the University of Bonn actually showed that small, daily doses of THC in the elderly improved cognitive health and reversed brain aging.  CBD compounds have actually been found to be neuroprotective and can be beneficial for issues like epilepsy and MS, and some studies have even shown cannabis to be neuroregenerative—meaning rather than killing brain cells, it can actually help you to build new ones!

Although the evidence about the exact effects of cannabis on the brain is inconclusive, there is absolutely no evidence to support the idea that it kills brain cells.

“Medical Cannabis is a Myth”

This myth is completely false and extremely detrimental to the work of medical professionals and the health and wellbeing of people being successfully treated with medical cannabis.

Some people argue that marijuana has no medicinal uses, is no different from recreational cannabis, and that it shouldn’t be legally accessible. However, in the US, more than 2.5 million patients use medical marijuana, and it has been shown to have some incredible benefits, particularly in easing patients suffering from chronic pain (a huge problem in the US). THC is known to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and there is also evidence that CBD compounds have positive effects on relaxing muscles in conditions including MS, Parkinson’s, and epilepsy, with the FDA recently approving Epidiolex (cannabidiol) for the treatment of seizures. There is also evidence that marijuana can help certain mental disorders, most notably in veterans with PTSD, with 16 states now legalizing its use for that purpose.

We hope this post has vaporized some of the most persistent and prevalent myths about cannabis in our society.

As the legalization of both medicinal and recreational marijuana becomes more widespread nationwide, an influx of cannabis products has invaded the cannabis industry. The ingredients in these commodities incorporate variations of different levels of both THC and CBD. These are the two main chemicals for commercial use that are extracted from the cannabis plant. Marijuana products range from having a combination of the compounds to having just one or the other.

Both THC and CBD are chemicals from the same type of marijuana plant. They also possess many of the same beneficial properties. If they are so much alike, then what is the difference between THC and CBD? Here is a simple overview of what makes the two different.

THC

There are approximately 400 chemicals found in cannabis sativa, one of the primary marijuana plants. Over sixty of those compounds are cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the two most common. THC is extracted from the resin and is used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. The composite of THC is the psychoactive substance in the marijuana plant that gives the user a feeling of being “high.”

The chemical term for THC is tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s also known as delta9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol, delta9-THC, weed, pot, and many other scientific and street names. Medicinally, THC is branded as Dronabinol. The drug Dronabinol is marketed as Marinol and Syndros. These drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anorexia due to HIV/Aids, and to help relieve nausea and vomiting that is often associated with chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients.

This is also the chemical component in the marijuana plant that users choose for recreational purposes. The THC in marijuana can make the user feel a sense of relaxation or euphoria. It may also do the opposite by uplifting the user with a boost of energy.

When used in extremely high doses, the compound may cause adverse reactions. It can disrupt varies systems in our bodies that control functions associated with emotions, mood, perception, thought process, and motor skills. This can cause the user to make poor decisions and slow the body’s reaction time for physical movements. Misuse of the chemical has been shown to cause an increase in depressed moods and addiction.

CBD

CBD is also known as cannabidiol. This compound is also derived from the cannabis plant but doesn’t have the psychoactive qualities that THC does. As an infused oil or in other forms such as lotions and creams, CBD has many beneficial healing attributes.

CBD is one of the main cannabinoids in medical marijuana. Many of the treatments that CBD and medical marijuana are suggested for are not approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA did recently approve medical marijuana for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Although not sanctioned officially by the FDA, medical marijuana and CBD are used to treat and reduce symptoms of a wide range of health issues. These include conditions and diseases such as Multiple sclerosis (MS), glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, wasting syndrome (cachexia), and Crohn’s disease, among many others. The compounds in CBD also have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation significantly.

Endocannabinoid System

In 1990 scientist discovered that our bodies have an endocannabinoid system that produces endocannabinoids. These are naturally occurring molecules that are very similar in structure to cannabis. The endocannabinoid system helps to maintain our body’s homeostasis. This is the function of creating harmony in our body in response to changes in our environment.

When scientists first discovered the new system, they believed the endocannabinoid receptors were only found in the brain. They ascertained there are two primary receptors, CB1 and CB2. Although many of the CB1 receptors are located in the brain, both are also found throughout our bodies. These receptors have been discovered in our body’s immune cells, bones, fat tissues, muscles, blood vessels, liver, pancreas, heart, digestive tract, skin, and throughout the brain.

In conjunction with other systems, the endocannabinoid system is involved in different processes throughout our bodies. Some of these processes are associated with sensing pain, appetite, memory, and mood. It’s also involved in other aspects of our body, including our metabolism, immunity, and reproductive functions. Many of these are the same functions that are affected by both THC and CBD compounds.

Uses for both THC and CBD

There are a wide variety of CBD and THC products. You just can visit the nearest marijuana dispensary to choose the right products for you, or you can order online.

There are a wide variety of uses for both of these compounds. THC and CBD can be infused with oils such as coconut and hemp. These infused oils can be mixed with other ingredients to create tinctures, lotions, creams, massage oils, candles, and other products. When used as a topical, THC doesn’t cause an individual to get high.

The main difference between THC and CBD is their opposing psychoactive properties. Marijuana with higher THC levels is more commonly used to smoke for its mind and body altering effects. CBD is more often incorporated in products for its healing benefits without giving the user the high feeling.