Neither CBD nor THC enhance athletic performance, but CBD's anti-inflammatory potential is untested in sport
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
Narrative review examining CBD, THC, and cannabis in the context of elite sport, including WADA regulations, performance effects, and product contamination risks.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- No performance enhancement; anti-inflammatory potential untested in sport
- Evidence Grade:
- Narrative review noting a near-complete absence of sport-specific cannabinoid research.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in sport: an overview.
- Published In:
- Internal medicine journal, 52(9), 1471-1477 (2022)
- Authors:
- Kennedy, Michael
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03951
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research without a strict systematic method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD improve athletic performance?
No. This review confirmed that neither CBD nor THC enhance athletic performance, though CBD's anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties have not been adequately studied in sport-specific contexts.
Can athletes use CBD?
WADA allows CBD but bans all other cannabinoids. Some CBD products contain THC or other banned cannabinoids that could cause a positive drug test, so product selection is critical.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03951APA
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
MLA
Kennedy, Michael. "Cannabis, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in sport: an overview.." Internal medicine journal, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15724
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in sport: an ..." RTHC-03951. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kennedy-2022-cannabis-cannabidiol-and-tetrahydrocannabinol
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.