CBD has been on the rise in recent years for its many uses and benefits. CBD is a natural remedy with no side effects, it’s a great alternative to other medications.
Many athletes are starting to look at CBD’s potential ability to reduce inflammation and chronic pain associated with sports injuries. It can help to naturally improve performance and improve the overall therapeutic experience for athletes.
The potential benefits of CBD in sports are growing fast as many sports personalities are starting to advocate cannabis. As technology has developed more research can be done on cannabis as well as methods of administering CBD that have increased its ease and popularity.
Although CBD is still a banned substance for major sports leagues and organizations, many active and retired athletes are stepping up to share the benefits of cannabis especially for pain relief.
Here are some famous athletes who are CBD advocates and how cannabis has helped them.
2008 NBA Champion Paul Pierce
The former Boston Celtics star started using CBD after the September 25, 2000 incident where the basketball star was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck, and back, at a Boston nightclub.
Paul Pierce suffered from severe mental illnesses like intense anxiety, depression and PTSD. After consultations with professionals and testing different medications, he discovered CBD.
After retiring from the NBA, Pierce launched a company together with Elliot Mermel called “The Truth CBD Remedies and Vesper”, coined after his nickname in pro basketball.
Pierce also advocates for the legalization of marijuana and has spoken out about it in interviews, on social media, and during public appearances.
2x MLB Champion David Wells
For many years in his professional career, David Wells was taking painkillers such as Percocet regularly. In 2007, after 21 years in the MLB, he still continued using these painkillers.
When he discovered CBD, Wells says he hasn’t touched an opioid since. He felt the side effects of these painkillers and it’s making him feel like crap.
After watching a series from the 60 Minutes story about how CBD helped a Colorado girl who was suffering 300 seizures a week.
“I wish I knew about it back when I played because I would’ve been all over it,” Wells told ThePostGame’s David Katz in an exclusive interview. “I would’ve took those risks. If they tested me – ‘hey, you got marijuana in your system’ – I’ll bring it to them: This is what it is. Dissect it. Take it in a lab and see what it’s about.”
Some active and retired NBA players like Al Harrington, Lamar Odom, Rick Barry, and Jamal Mashburn have also joined Pierce in advocating CBD in the league.
UFC’s Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz, who once fought for the UFC’s Baddest Motherf***** belt is a well-known CBD user and advocate.
The UFC fighter is often seen vaping CBD oil in public and even in the UFC 202 press conference where he will be fighting the notorious Connor McGregor. In 2016, USADA issued a public warning for his use of CBD oil during an in-competition period.
UFC has investigated Diaz following their anti-doping policy but was cleared of all charges because his drug tests didn’t provide any undesirable findings. Later on, CBD was removed from its list of banned substances by WADA
Due to the brutality of MMA fights, fighters are often in need of quick soothing immediately after the fight. CBD is considered one of the safest, plant-based supplements for pain compared to addictive prescription painkillers.
In June 2021, UFC made a move into CBD sponsorship through a five-year global partnership with Love Hemp.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski
After nine years in the NFL, which included career receiving records, three Super Bowl wins, and more than $50 million in total salary earnings, Rob Gronkowski is back in the spotlight.
At the age of 29, Gronk retired from the pro league and later on partnered with CBD company CBDMedic to create a line of topical pain treatments using the cannabis-derived compound.
“I left the game last year after realizing that my body had taken a beating and needed to recover. I’ve taken the recovery process seriously and CBDMEDIC has played a big role in my recovery. Now I’m glad to share that I’m back in the game” said Gronkowski.
“As a result of my personal experience, I have advocated for the use of CBD products to be available to both the public and professional athletes and am glad to see changes in policy with sports organizations across the board” Gronkowski added.
Other football icons to join Gronk in advocating CBD include retired footballer Ricky Williams, Derrick Morgan, and NFL Hall-of-Famer Terrell Davis.
Lucas Glover – Professional Golfer
Some PGA Tour players stepped up to use and endorse CBD in the 2019 U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, California. The players include 2009 U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover.
According to Glover, his day usually starts with a CBD morning pill that contains caffeine. For aches and pain, his go-to product is CBD topical cream and ends his day with CBD tincture drops to help with anxiety and sleep.
The rise of CBD among golfers started in 2018 when WADA removed cannabidiol from their list of banned substances. Although PGA Tour allows its players to use CBD, it issued a warning to only FDA-approved supplements just like the products at MrHempFlower.
“That’s what they have to do. It’s not what people think. It’s not marijuana. I haven’t come across one thing that has been a negative” according to Glover.
A WHO report in 2018 indicates that there are no adverse health outcomes and no evidence of public health-related problems associated with using CBD.
