By Dr. Michael D. Lewis, MD, MPH, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, and CV Sciences Medical Advisor
The NFL recently awarded $1 million to two teams of medical researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Regina to study the impact of cannabis and CBD on pain management. The first study, "Effects of Cannabinoids on Pain and Recovery from Sports-Related Injuries in Elite Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial," and the second study, "Naturally Produced Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection from Concussion and Participation in Contact Sports," are poised to further our understanding of the applications cannabis and CBD can have in sports. Funding these studies demonstrates the NFL's commitment to providing its players with safer, less addictive alternatives to opioids for pain management. Additionally, these initiatives also signal a significant evolution in how the NFL approaches preventive medicine, treating sports injuries and normalizing cannabis consumption among professional athletes.
