Cannabis – a dirty word in elite sport, right?

Not anymore…

 

Just a punchy tagline? Yeah well maybe, but certainly the family of plants (namely Hemp) closely related to this much maligned super plant enjoyed by everyone from grannies & new wave Vegan’s to mullet wearing Saturday night burnout junkies from West Auckland, is undergoing a massive resurgence in health, well-being, sports performance & recovery.

From Rugby players to Golfers and all in between – CBD is now making giant strides within Professional sport and athletes are turning to this ‘wonder product’ in order to aid performance, rest and recovery.

I only have to look at an example in the UK, where ex All Black prop Ben Franks & one of my old team mates at London Wasps, James Haskell,  have created a line of Sport specific CBD products called IMPACT CBD. Saracens and England Test lock George Kruis has done the same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In short, it’s just a matter of time before New Zealand finally comes to the party & lifts it’s  archaic restrictions around these types of products and we can all get stuck in and enjoy the benefits that CBD has to offer!

 

CBD – A short history.

The CBD story begins in 1940 when American organic chemist Roger Adams isolated the CBD compound from the Cannabis plant, without knowing for sure what he had isolated.

In 1960, Israeli organic chemist Raphael Mechoulam was both able to isolate and describe the chemical structure of CBD. The chemists could then confirm that CBD was a nonpsychoactive constituent of cannabis. By the mid-1970s, CBD was being prescribed and used in tinctures for medical use.

Even though there were well documented and successful medical effects of CBD (seizures and the like), it wouldn’t be until 2017 when the FDA in the United States began approving CBD for medical uses.

Since then, CBD in all its forms has exploded world-wide to become a billion dollar industry.

 

What is CBD?

 CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the Cannabis sativa plant, which is also known as Marijuana, Weed, Gigglesmoke, Grim Reefer, George’s Bush, Sinner’s Spinach ..…you get the picture.

It’s a naturally occurring substance that’s used in products like oils, creams and edibles to impart a feeling of relaxation and calm as well as having highly effective Anti-Inflammatory properties.

Unlike its cousin, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major active ingredient in marijuana which gets you ‘High’, CBD is NOT psychoactive and WONT make you High. Sorry to disappoint some of you….

The plant Cannabis sativa has two primary species, hemp and marijuana. Both contain CBD, but there’s a much higher percentage in hemp, which also has very low (less than 0.3%) levels of THC compared to marijuana.

 

The science of CBD and what it does.

Cannabinoids already exist in your body. Scientists have identified what they call the endocannibinoid system (ECS) that modulates the activity of neurons.

Within the nervous system, two endocannabinoids (2-AG and EAE) are produced in postsynaptic neurons and released into the synapse. They bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors on the presynaptic neuron and act to inhibit the release of certain neurotransmitters.

CB1 receptors are found throughout the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues. CB2 receptors are as well, but more of them are found in immune system tissues.

CBD binding to CB1 receptors has a greater effect the central nervous system, and CBD binding to CB2 receptors has a greater effect on reducing inflammation.

The primary purpose of the ECS appears to be maintaining homeostasis, which it does by keeping neurotransmitter levels in check. Consuming CBD could be thought of as supplementing or increasing the activity of your body’s existing endocannabinoid system.

(Homeostasis, any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival or performance).

 

Why would an athlete want to use CBD?

 If you are an athlete – amateur or professional, you put your body under greater stress, which leads to higher risk of pain and inflammation which your endocannabinoid system may not handle.

Using CBD products may help your overloaded system get your neurotransmitters back under control and help maintain homeostasis.

 

What are the benefits of CBD with regard to general health, sports and exercise?

The potential benefits of CBD include:

• Relieving Musculoskeletal pain
• Reduce Inflammation
• Gut health
• Improve sleep quality
• Muscle relaxation
• Managing anxiety and stress

 

How do I use it?

The most common forms of taking CBD is:

• Creams and lotions
• Tinctures/drops under the tongue
• Pills
• Edibles

 

 

When can I get my hands on CBD products in NZ?

NZ is still a while off making CBD products widely available in the NZ market, however things are definitely moving in the right direction. There will be a referendum this year in the 2020 general election and potentially a Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill introduced into parliament.

If passed, this could see the regulations relaxed around both recreational Cannabis usage and more importantly for athletes, sports medical personnel etc – the restrictions lifted on the legal cultivation, production & distribution of Hemp derived CBD products.

Some highlights from the Ministry of Health:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) is no longer a class B1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. It is a prescription medicine under the Medicines Act 1981.
• As with all prescription medicines, patients must have a prescription from an authorised prescriber to import or use CBD products.
• In CBD products, the amount of THC and psychoactive related substances must not exceed 2 % of the total CBD
• You can travel with 1 months’ supply of controlled drugs (eg, Sativex) or 3 months’ supply of prescription medicines (eg CBD products) provided you are able to show they have been lawfully supplied to you.
• many products listed on foreign websites as CBD products do not meet the New Zealand definition as the THC content is too high i.e. above 2% THC threshold
• Strict export restrictions on products sourced from some other countries will continue to impact the supply of CBD products in New Zealand.

 

Is it safe? If I’m drug tested will I get suspended?

Pulled from the World Anti Doping Agency website:

WHICH CANNABINOIDS ARE PROHIBITED?

All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited except for cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis, hashish and marijuana are prohibited.  Products, including foods and drinks, containing cannabinoids, are also prohibited. All synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC are prohibited.

2. IS CANNABIDIOL (CBD) OIL PROHIBITED?

CBD is not prohibited; however, athletes should be aware that some CBD oils and tinctures extracted from cannabis plants, may also contain THC and other cannabinoids that could result in a positive test for a prohibited cannabinoid.

 

CBD (Full spectrum or Isolate) produced from Hemp would be a far better choice from an anti-doping standpoint as the THC content legally has to be under 2%.

FYI – Full spectrum means the whole plant and all its goodness is used, whereas Isolate means 100% pure CBD Oil and nothing else.

WARNING: I would add here that this is a guide only and if you are an athlete that will get drug tested, you should do your own research and ask your doctor, pharmacist, team medic, WADA rep etc if you were thinking of taking a CBD product.

 

Anyway thats my take on it. Hopefully before the end of 2020 we will see some of these products used more mainstream. Watch this space!

Cheers

Joe Ward

Director – Next Level Sport & Health