Conclusions on the feasibility of using plant cannabidiol by national athletes

The use of herbal cannabinoids provides an advantage in the achievement of athletic performance by athletes using therapeutic hemp flowers or preparations based on them.

The therapeutic value of plant cannabinoids, and primarily cannabidiol, is already well known. There are dozens of studies showing that plant-based cannabidiol is an effective pain reliever, hypnotic, and anti-inflammatory agent. However, the advantages of cannabidiol obtained from plant materials go beyond the usual uses of drugs made on their basis, aimed at treating or preventing any disease. The exclusive therapeutic properties of the aforementioned herbal cannabinoid, which are used for treatment, can be similarly applied for rehabilitation, health improvement or significant improvement in physical condition and demonstrated results by professional athletes, military personnel or people who prefer to lead an active lifestyle. Specialists of the information and analytical platform Hemp Consulting summarized the experience of long-term use by professional Ukrainian athletes of the leaves and inflorescences of therapeutic hemp or preparations made on their basis and presented the results obtained in the form of separate theses outlined below.

Strengthening the immune system

The exclusive therapeutic properties of plant cannabidiol (CBD) help athletes to strengthen the immune system to make the athlete's body more resistant to stress and various kinds of infections. Those. Plant-based CBD, having a positive effect on the endocannabinoid system, helps to maintain the human body as a whole and its individual systems (circulatory, nervous, muscular, etc.) in a fully functioning state, capable of withstanding extreme loads received by the body during an intense training process or during the period of participation in competitions

Reduced anxiety

During the competition, the psychology of an athlete is stressed and often athletes are worried about the intensity of the pre-competition period, the extreme peak state of not only physiology, but also the psychology of the human body. The consequence of this kind of stress loads is chronic fatigue, which suggests the possibility of not only deteriorating the results obtained, but also stopping training altogether due to a sharply negative reaction of the body to any additional loads. Plant-based cannabidiol allows the athlete's body to suppress anxiety and stress, allowing athletes to continue their training process without any negative effects. Those. Plant-based cannabidiol helps the athlete's body limit the stress response from exercise by creating the right amount of anti-stress hormones in the brain.

Accelerating recovery

The use of herbal cannabinoids in lotions, creams, or ointments can help relieve locally the pain experienced both during peak stress and post-workout. The use of plant cannabinoids to relieve discomfort is especially effective when using the leaves and inflorescences of therapeutic hemp in the form of oil, biologically active or oral nutritional supplements used by athletes.

Promotes relaxation and normalization of sleep

One of the well-known effects of plant-based CBD is that the aforementioned drug-free cannabinoid helps improve sleep, which determines the body's recovery efficiency. This moment is a very important asset in the process of preparing professional athletes for a long training process or competitions and achieving peak results in the required period of time. We can say that the leaves and inflorescences of therapeutic hemp or preparations made on their basis are excellent for increasing muscle tone and improving the physical performance of professional athletes.

Prevention of various kinds of inflammation

One of the exclusive features of plant cannabidiol is its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to an injury or overstrain of various human systems, obtained during a period of intense training. Inflammations often prevent athletes from fully participating in the competitive process or fully implementing the training program developed by the coaching staff for any competition. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of plant cannabidiol, the human body effectively copes with this kind of manifestation on its own and, with the help of drug-free cannabinoids, suppresses various manifestations of inflammatory processes at the initial stages of their development. Those. the human body itself prevents the possible occurrence of sprains, microtraumas or other health problems associated with intense physical activity.

Decreased appetite and weight control (including increased muscle mass)

As a result of using plant-based cannabidiol, hunger is reduced. In addition, the athlete can control the change in weight both in the pre-competition period and during the training process. Plant-based cannabidiol helps build muscle during training. Especially products containing the leaves and inflorescences of technical hemp of therapeutic orientation are useful for athletes whose main goal is to build strength, as well as significantly increase muscle mass. This is due, among other things, to the improved recovery process after heavy loads, as well as the prevention of inflammatory processes in the athlete's body. 

Improving endurance as well as improving physical fitness

By activating and balancing the endocannabinoid system in the human body, the endurance and general condition of the athlete improves. 

Commentary of experts of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"

Undoubtedly, the use of plant cannabinoids provides an advantage in the achievement of athletic performance by athletes using therapeutic hemp flowers or preparations based on them. In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (including the International Athletics Federation) removed cannabidiol from the list of prohibited substances, making it possible for professional athletes to use it. This happened after the positive effects of the therapeutic and health-promoting effects of plant-based CBD on the human body were recognized. This fact, as well as the use of preparations made on the basis of the leaves and inflorescences of technical hemp of a therapeutic orientation for a long period of time, the phenomenal results obtained and the regular passage of various kinds of doping controls at various international competitions indicate the prospects for the development of this direction of modern cannabis breeding. as well as the need to regulate the legal possibility of using the leaves and inflorescences of technical hemp of therapeutic orientation for the use of this raw material for industrial purposes, including in the form of sports cosmetics (lotions, creams) or biologically active / food additives.