A narrative review confirmed that CBD and THC do not enhance athletic performance, noted that CBD's anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have not been adequately evaluated in sport, and warned that some CBD products contain THC that could trigger positive drug tests.
Athletes considering CBD use, sports medicine physicians, coaches, and anti-doping officials.
No performance enhancement; anti-inflammatory potential untested in sport
What the researchers found
CBD and THC do not enhance performance. CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that have not been adequately evaluated in the sport context. WADA allows CBD but bans all other cannabinoids. Some CBD formulations contain THC or other cannabinoids that may cause a positive drug test.
Why it matters
Cannabis industry sponsorship of sporting events is increasing alongside liberalized laws. Athletes need accurate information about performance effects, anti-doping rules, and product contamination risks.
The numbers in context
WADA banned list includes all cannabinoids except CBD. No performance-enhancing effects documented for CBD or THC. Product contamination risk documented but not quantified in this review.
How the study worked
Narrative review examining CBD, THC, and cannabis in the context of elite sport, including WADA regulations, performance effects, and product contamination risks.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review without systematic methodology. Limited sport-specific research available to review. Did not quantify the risk of positive drug tests from contaminated CBD products.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review noting a near-complete absence of sport-specific cannabinoid research.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
The disconnect between CBD's theoretical anti-inflammatory benefits for athletes and the complete absence of sport-specific research represents both a research gap and a marketing opportunity being exploited ahead of the evidence.
Questions still open
- Could CBD aid athletic recovery even if it does not enhance performance? What THC threshold in CBD products would put athletes at risk of positive drug tests?
Common questions
Does CBD improve athletic performance?
Can athletes use CBD?
Read the original research
Cannabis, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in sport: an overview.
Internal medicine journal, 52(9), 1471-1477
Citation
Kennedy, Michael. (2022). Cannabis, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in sport: an overview.. Internal medicine journal, 52(9), 1471-1477. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15724
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