Regular Use of Cannabis Prevents Brain Damage in Athletes

A recent study suggests regular cannabis use may alleviate the effects of head impacts on athletes. The study involved 43 football players and found that cannabis users showed improved motor function and lower neuroinflammatory responses. These findings add to the growing body of research on the benefits of cannabis in sports, which now has organizations like the NBA revising their policies.

In recent years, discussions about cannabis in the context of athletes and the sports industry have been gaining momentum. Many debates revolve around the question of whether cannabis is a performance-enhancing substance and whether it should be considered doping.

Furthermore, research has shown that the use of cannabis can aid in muscle recovery and support physical exertion. However, a new discovery now provides additional information on the potential benefits of cannabis use for athletes.

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Cannabis May Alleviate Effects of Hard Impacts

A recent study published in the journal Cell states that regular cannabis use may alleviate the effects of repetitive head impacts. This information could be particularly significant for professional athletes such as boxers and football players who seek to reduce the risk of long-term brain damage.

The study was funded by the Indiana University Office of the Vice President for Research and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Another Benefit of Cannabis Use by Athletes?

Researchers have been focusing on athletes from the very beginning, noting the growing popularity of cannabis among this group. The study involved 43 adult football players divided into two groups: 24 individuals who used cannabis (at least once a week for the past six months) and 19 non-cannabis users. The average age of the participants was 20 years, and included individuals who preferred smoking, vaporizing, or consuming cannabis-infused edibles.

To maintain uniform conditions for each of the participating athletes, researchers employed a controlled heading model using a soccer ball. Initially, they examined the oculomotor function of the football players after performing heading, focusing on body movement adaptation and eye movement coordination. The near point of convergence (NPC), which is the closest point in front of the eyes where double vision starts to occur, was measured. The NPC of non-cannabis users moved farther from the face for up to 72 hours after controlled heading, whereas for cannabis users, the NPC stopped changing after 24 hours.

The researchers also examined S100B levels, a protein associated with brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases, to assess the impact of cannabis use. Once again, cannabis users showed favorable results, displaying lower S100B concentrations compared to non-cannabis participants, indicating a reduced risk of neurodegenerative effects.

The study also conducted blood tests to assess sports-related injuries sustained by athletes, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuronal damage. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups.

Does Cannabis Protect Athletes From Brain From Damage?

The authors of the study stated that these promising findings are just the tip of the iceberg: “Our data suggest that regular cannabis use may impact increased functional oculomotor resilience and limit neuroinflammatory response following heading. The near point of convergence (NPC) was better among cannabis users, facilitating recovery after 20 headings, while serum S100B levels reflect the anti-inflammatory action of cannabis.”

Although the research model had its limitations, the researchers claim that “significant differences between the groups observed in our study provide credibility to our results. Future clinical studies focusing on randomized controlled trials are worth considering.”

Furthermore, although participating athletes were asked to abstain from consuming other substances, no toxicological tests were conducted. The researchers also suggested conducting a randomized controlled trial using standardized cannabis products and doses. The authors also highlighted the need for future research on the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis for the brain.

A New and Enduring Chapter for Cannabis in Sports

Studies like these can contribute to further research on the relationship between cannabis and sports-related injuries among athletes. They may sustain the current trend of easing long-standing restrictions on cannabis use in sports.

This year, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced the terms of a new agreement that removes cannabis from the list of prohibited substances for its athletes and allows them to promote and invest in cannabis businesses.

The NBA joins other sports organizations, such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which have implemented new reforms regarding cannabis use among its athletes in recent years.

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(Featured illustration by KeithJJ via Pixabay)

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