A narrative review found preclinical evidence for CBD in inflammation, pain, and neuroprotection relevant to athletes, with early clinical evidence for anxiety reduction but little direct sports performance data.
Athletes considering CBD, sports medicine professionals, and WADA/anti-doping policymakers.
Zero studies have directly tested CBD in athlete populations
What the researchers found
Preclinical studies show CBD has anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and analgesic properties potentially beneficial for athletes. Early clinical evidence suggests anxiolytic effects in stressful situations. Evidence for sleep improvement, GI protection, and skeletal healing is preliminary. CBD appears safe and is no longer WADA-prohibited. However, no studies have directly tested CBD in athlete populations.
Why it matters
CBD use is rapidly growing among athletes, but scientific evidence is far behind consumer adoption. This review maps out where the evidence is strongest and where critical gaps remain.
The numbers in context
CBD removed from WADA prohibited list in 2018; preclinical evidence for anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and analgesic effects; no direct athlete performance studies.
How the study worked
Narrative review of preclinical and clinical CBD evidence relevant to sport and exercise contexts, sourced from animal models and limited clinical trials in non-athlete populations.
What this study cannot tell us
No direct studies in athletes; preclinical findings may not translate to humans; CBD products vary widely in quality and composition; narrative review format.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary: narrative review relying on preclinical data and non-athlete clinical studies; no direct sports performance evidence.
When this study was published
Published 2020.
The bigger picture
The gap between CBD marketing to athletes and actual evidence is enormous. While the biological plausibility is reasonable for some applications (pain, anxiety, inflammation), the absence of any athlete-specific data means claims remain unsubstantiated.
Questions still open
- Would CBD improve recovery after intense training? What CBD doses are needed for anti-inflammatory effects in exercise-induced inflammation?
Common questions
Is CBD banned in sports?
Does CBD help with athletic recovery?
Read the original research
Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: a Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research.
Sports medicine - open, 6(1), 27
Citation
McCartney, Danielle; Benson, Melissa J; Desbrow, Ben; Irwin, Christopher; Suraev, Anastasia; McGregor, Iain S. (2020). Cannabidiol and Sports Performance: a Narrative Review of Relevant Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research.. Sports medicine - open, 6(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00251-0
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