A Mexican doctor is studying the possible benefits of cannabis in athletes

The nutritionist, Flavio César Rivera Martínez, is conducting a study to see if small amounts of cannabis in athletes could boost their performance. According to the study, endurance athletes could benefit by consuming cannabis and experience a spike in energy. Still, the research showed that large quantities of this medical plant could harm athletes by reducing their heart rate.

It is perhaps athletes who suffer most from cannabis prohibition. However, in the opinion of nutritionist Flavio César Rivera Martínez, small amounts of cannabis could be beneficial for athletes. The fact is that outside of what many people think about a possible effect on the bodies of athletes through the use of cannabis, the consumption in small doses can be beneficial.

The professor of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM) and specialist in Nutrition, indicated that small doses of cannabis can be functional, especially for those who practice endurance sports, like football.

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Cannabidiol (CBD) as an option for athletes to boost their energy

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of the two most important cannabinoid components of the cannabis plant, found in varying proportions in the strain and is the beneficial ingredient.

“It has been seen that in small doses, CBD is stimulating the amount of energy, and therefore athletes have the opportunity to perform more. However, it is only indicated in moderate amounts,” explained the nutritionist.

There are people who like both sports and cannabis. Consuming cannabis is not an impediment to being able to practice sports, sometimes it even boosts the level of performance.

Over the past few years, cannabis consumption around the world has increased. Accordingly, there can be seen an evolution of the stereotypical view of people who use cannabis.

In large quantities, cannabis could be harmful to athletes

Little by little, the benefits of cannabis are becoming known and proven. So much so, that there are athletes who promote and support the use of cannabis in sport.

On the other hand, Rivera Martinez said that consumption in large quantities could be harmful to the athlete “there may be a decrease in what is sports performance. That is because the heart rate and breathing are reduced. However, when used in minimal amounts, cannabis might boost the athlete’s performance.”

In this regard, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from its list of banned substances in 2018, demonstrating once again that cannabis has indeed beneficial properties.

Some sport organization still resist to let players consume cannabis

Over the past few years, several sports organizations have announced whether they are for or against the use of cannabis in their sport. 

There are some organizations like the NBA that only allow the use of cannabis out of season, and prohibit the use before games. Also, there are other organizations like the MMA that allow and promote the use of CBD to help their athletes recover after fighting.

“Under the CFU anti-doping policies, cannabinoids are included in the chemical abuse policies. If an athlete can establish that the substance of abuse is not used to enhance performance in a contest, the athlete is eligible for a reduction of his or her sanction, if he or she completes and approves a rehabilitation program,” the USADA statement said.

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(Featured image by Braden Collum via Unsplash)

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