6 Professional Athletes Who Use CBD for Recovery

The world of sports is ever-evolving. Every season, we see exciting changes in the game or in the athlete’s style of playing. Athletes do not shy away from talking about their strategies and methods when it comes to training. In fact, in recent years, what used to be a taboo has since been a sensational part of many an athlete’s routine. We’re talking about CBD. With its unstoppable popularity, it’s no surprise that prominent personalities in the field of sports are also taking their share of this wellness alternative. Here, we’re listing down the professional athletes who, along with tough physical training and rigid diet, have incorporated CBD into their routine.

1. Nate Diaz - UFC Fighter

With 20 wins under his belt, Nate Diaz is one of the first to publicly speak about his cannabidiol use, even famously vaping CBD oil during a press conference. He admitted to using CBD right before and after training sessions and fights. His job entails heavy fighting and training and the UFC fighter said that the compound has been helping him deal with inflammation and the healing process from injuries.

2. Eugene Monroe - Former NFL Offensive Tackle

"It's a well known fact that NFL players experience a high degree of pain," former NFl player Eugene Monroe said. "We also see synonymous with that fact, a higher usage of opioid drugs." Because of this, he has been advocating for the use of CBD as a much safer and effective alternative to opioids without the threat of addiction. He is an active supporter of “The Bright Lights Campaign” which encourages research and continued studies on the effects of CBD and how it can impact society positively.

3. Lucas Glover - American Golfer

Golf may not be as physically strenuous as UFC or NFL, but there are also golfers who are CBD advocates. One of these most famous personalities is American golfer Lucas Glover, best known for winning the 2009 US Open. He said that when other golfers ask him about using CBD he would explain, “We’re not a contact sport per se, but our schedule can be grueling. For golfers, the biggest benefit is calmness and sleep.” He has shared that CBD has been helping him not just on the golf course but also in his overall life and health.

4. KC Deane - Skier and Mountain Biker

KC has established himself as one of the most eminent and top mountain skier and bike athletes in the country. The dual-sport athlete has gained immense fame for his skills and has also been featured in films entailing his award-winning film series “Blank, the movie”. He is known to regularly use CBD for managing his pain and improving his recovery process from injuries that come with his edgy sports.

5. Gina Mazany – UFC Fighter

Another UFC fighter known to use CBD is Gina Mazany, an Alaskan mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. She uses CBD to help cope with the intense physical challenges of her sport. She has been quoted saying, “Because of what we put our bodies through, it’s not normal and it’s ideally not healthy. This is extra something to help us recover and stay healthy and keep the brain damage in line.”

6. Roman Mironenko - Mixed Martial Artist

After some career-high points, including a stint on the Russian reality show, Mixfighter, Roman Mironenko retired to train and teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) in France. However, because of intense pain from a disc herniation from his competing days, his training was sidelined for months. The relief that he found? CBD oil. It was said that he took CBD oil sublingually twice a day and eventually, he was able to return to BJJ training.

Is CBD Legal for athletes?

Yes. Starting at the beginning of 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency or WADA has removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances in or out of the competition. In general, CBD’s legality can vary from one state to another. One of the determining factors is whether the CBD is hemp-derived or marijuana-derived.

Hemp comes with only trace amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the intoxicating compound found in Cannabis, which is usually below 0.3% by dry weight. If a cannabis strain produces 0.4% THC, it’s referred to as marijuana. Hemp is non-psychoactive while marijuana is.

While hemp-derived CBD products that adhere to the law are federally legal, marijuana-derived CBD is a bit more complicated mainly because it is derived from a plant that is illegal. So, it is best to check the CBD source and the latest legal status of CBD in your state.