NFL & Cannabis
Please read our Cannabis Health & Safety page. There appears to be a consensus among researchers that cannabidiol is relatively benign. Consumers typically purchase CBD made from hemp, which contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
There are numerous contraindications to be aware of for cannabis containing THC (marijuana), meaning that there are circumstances when marijuana could be detrimental. Additionally, people with brain injuries may be more vulnerable to substance abuse, including abuse of marijuana.
NFL and brain injury
Concussions are a widespread injury in the National Football League (NFL), with 244 concussions reported in the 2019 preseason and season. A concussion is a brain injury caused by an impact to the head, neck, or body that disrupts the brain’s function.
Concussion symptoms may include headaches, sleep issues, balance problems, changes in memory functions, and other areas of dysfunction. Sustaining another concussion while still recovering from a previous concussion can result in delayed recovery and, in some cases, a life-threatening condition called second impact syndrome. A typical adult concussion patient can expect to see recovery within 10-14 days, although recovery may be longer in some cases.
For an NFL player, taking two weeks off is not an exciting prospect. Fourteen days off could represent missing multiple games, practices, and possibly losing a spot on the field. If symptoms continue past the 14-day mark, these career risks can be compounded, creating strong incentives for players to get back on the field.
NFL players are at risk for more brain injuries than just concussions. A study examining the donated brains of ex-NFL players found that 99% of the sampled brains had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). However, it should be noted that this study used brains donated by NFL players. Players who donated their brains might have done so because they suspected they had CTE. If brains were donated by players who were more likely to have CTE, players who did not have CTE might be underrepresented. Symptoms of CTE can include, among other things, memory loss, depression, lack of impulse control, and in some cases, dementia. Although there needs to be additional research to further understand the connection, the study referenced above concludes that “CTE may be related to prior participation in football.”
Need for alternative treatments for pain
Many NFL players experience chronic pain from orthopedic injuries and concussion symptoms and therefore need ways to relieve pain. Cannabis could potentially provide a safe and effective alternative to opioids, which according to one study, are used by over half of NFL players, and of those, almost three-quarters reported an unhealthy use pattern. An article published in the New York Post tells the story of an NFL player who was unable to play due to the sedating effects of opioid painkillers, which the player needed to manage their chronic pain. Eventually, this player switched to cannabis for pain management and was then able to get back on the field and play again.
Cannabis is used to manage pain both on and off the NFL field. Some players have reported using cannabis to perform better because it allows them to play without pain interfering with their ability to play. Some players are more vocal about their positive relationship with cannabis. Retired offensive tackle, Eben Britton, reported using cannabis before games to help manage chronic pain. Calvin Johnson, a former receiver, said that eventually, he used cannabis after every game in order to recover and be ready for the physical challenges of the NFL.
Because of cannabis’ apparent popularity among NFL players, it is not surprising that a number of retirees have entered into the cannabis industry. One example is the retired running back, Marshawn Lynch, who launched his own cannabis company, Ganjapreneur. Other well-known football names are Clavin Johnson and Rob Sims, who, inspired by cannabis’ medical qualities, have started their own cannabis company, Primitiv.
Cannabis' active ingredients
The active constituents responsible for cannabis’ effects are molecules called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a group of molecules that affect the endocannabinoid system. This internal regulatory system impacts a variety of functions within the body, such as food intake, stress, and immune response. Cannabinoids
produced by plants are called phytocannabinoids and include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other compounds. The main phytocannabinoid producing plant is Cannabis sativa, which has been selectively bred into marijuana and hemp. To be legally considered hemp in the United States, it must be 0.3% or less THC, and anything above 0.3% THC is considered marijuana. In this article, marijuana has been and will continue to be referred to as cannabis. Both cannabis and hemp produce the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD, but only cannabis produces psychoactive THC in significant quantities. Whether CBD is produced by hemp or cannabis, its chemical composition and effects on the body are identical.
Cannabis’ potential therapeutic benefits
In addition to anecdotal accounts, there is also evidence from studies on the efficacy of cannabis’ medicinal effects on pain relief. A study by McVige et al. looking at the efficacy of medical cannabis on concussion-related chronic pain found that cannabis had positive effects in relieving post-concussion symptoms such as headaches. Another study surveying medical cannabis patients found that 81% of patients who had used prescription opioids thought that “taking cannabis by itself was more effective at treating their condition than taking cannabis with opioids.” Of this group, 93% would be more likely to use cannabis for their treatment if it was more available. Of those individuals who had used both cannabis and non-opioids-based pain medication (such as Tylenol), 92% of them said that “cannabis works better for their condition than non opioid-based pain medication.”
As well as reducing pain and symptoms of concussions, cannabinoids have shown promise in providing neuroprotective effects and aiding recovery from brain injury. One article has suggested that cannabinoids’ antioxidant effects may offer protective benefits from glutamate excitotoxicity (which can lead to neuronal death) caused by TBI and CTE. CBD may also improve recovery from mild TBI or concussion by reducing inflammation, regulating cerebral blood flow, and enhancing neurogenesis. Additionally, there is evidence that THC can provide neuroprotective effects when present before TBI. A three-year study found that patients admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center for a TBI had a significantly reduced risk of death if they had THC in their system as measured by a toxicology test.
NFL's stance on cannabis
Despite cannabis’ increasing legality in the United States and its promising medical qualities, the NFL still prohibits its use. However, in recent years, with bargaining by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), the NFL has softened its stance on cannabis. The NFL has agreed to spend 1 million dollars to research cannabis as a pain-relieving medication. In February 2022, the NFL announced that they awarded their 1 million dollar research budget to two research labs. One lab is at the University of Regina in Canada, which is studying the use of cannabinoids not only for post-concussion treatment but also for concussion prevention. The research is attempting to determine the optimal form and dosage of CBD and THC to reduce pain and treat injuries. The other lab awarded funding is at the University of California San Diego, which is also assessing the therapeutic efficacy of THC and CBD, both used alone and in conjunction.
The NFL has also eased its testing protocol by reducing the testing frequency, raising the threshold of THC in a player’s system to constitute a positive test, and reducing the penalties for testing positive for cannabis use.Although cannabis and cannabinoids have promising medical value, there are potential downsides, and their use should be further researched.
More information about the possible negative effects of cannabis is available here.