Athletes’ and Retired Athletes’ Experiences with and Perspectives on Cannabinoids
Keywords:
cannabis, cannabidiol, CBD, athlete, sport, educationAbstract
There is interest in cannabis use amongst athletes, but more in-depth research on the therapeutic benefits and risks of cannabis consumption in this population is needed. This study utilized a mixed methods approach with semi-structured focus group interviews and questions related to cannabis/cannabinoid attitudes and reasons for use or avoidance among a group of 20 professional/collegiate athletes and retired athletes. Preferred routes of cannabis administration were ingestion, followed by inhalation and topical use. Most participants (75%) reported multiple motives for cannabis use, including relaxation, physical discomfort, mental health, recreation, and cerebral effects. While there was overlap in perceived effects ascribed to cannabis vs. the cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), participants agreed that CBD was not associated with recreational effects (e.g., euphoria). Reservations for cannabis use during professional or collegiate athletics involvement included drug testing, stigma from fellow athletes, fear of losing a scholarship or position on a team, and concerns about negative impact on performance/health. Most participants (80%) indicated they would prefer to use cannabis/cannabinoids over prescription medication, and disclosed having decreased use of pain medication, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and/or sleep medication as a result of cannabis use. Participants agreed that more education regarding cannabis and sports is needed. These data will inspire future research on the potential applications of cannabinoids in athletic populations.
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