Sep 17, 2024
Cannabis’ Effects on Performance

Written by: Spencer Alexander Simons, RD

Written by an American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association Registered Dietitian (RD). To learn more about sports nutrition and ASPDA, go to www.sportsrd.org.

 Cannabis, a once taboo topic in the world of sports, has become a growing focus in the athletic community. One headliner in particular bringing this topic to light on a global scale was during the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021. The uproar stemmed from the world of track and field after Sha’Carri Richardson, who was ranked 3rd in the world in the women’s 100m at the time, was removed from the US 100m team after testing positive for cannabis following her win at the US team trials. Due to the violation, she was issued a 1-month suspension which prevented her from competing in the women’s 100m race on the world’s largest stage.

Many changes regarding the use of cannabis have unfolded since then and the awareness of use of cannabis products has become more prevalent in sport. With that, it is important to acknowledge that the scientific community is still unraveling the complex interactions between cannabis and athletic performance. This article explores the multifaceted effects of cannabis on athletes, focusing on differences between THC and CBD, and exploring its impact on sleep, the cardiovascular system, and brain development.

THC vs. CBD

Cannabis contains numerous cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most well-known. THC is the psychoactive component responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis use3. It can affect cognitive and motor functions, which may impair athletic performance. THC’s impact on anxiety and perception can also influence an athlete’s mental state during competition. For some, THC may reduce pre-competition anxiety, while for others, it may impair focus and decision-making.

CBD, in contrast, is non-psychoactive and has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic benefits. It is often used for its possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties. Athletes may use CBD to aid recovery, manage pain, and reduce anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances, reflecting its growing acceptance in sports. However, taking CBD is not without risk. The FDA has identified certain safety risks, including the potential for liver injury and male reproductive toxicity has been reported in studies of animals exposed to CBD. The FDA is also concerned that a lack of appropriate processing controls and practices can put consumers at additional risks5, such as athletes, as CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC, which could lead to doping violations.

Cannabis and Sleep

Sleep is a critical component of athletic recovery and performance. Athletes often seek ways to improve sleep quality to enhance recovery and performance. CBD has been reported to aid sleep by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation7. Some studies suggest that CBD may help improve sleep quality and duration, which can be beneficial for athletes undergoing intense training.

The effects of THC on sleep are more complex. While THC may help some individuals fall asleep faster, it can also alter sleep architecture. THC has been shown to increase stage 3 deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep, which is crucial for physical recovery and immune function7,8. However, it may reduce REM sleep, which is essential for cognitive function and memory consolidation7,8. Worth noting, chronic use of THC can lead to tolerance, which can potentially diminish these effects over time. This alteration in sleep stages can have implications for athletes, as both deep sleep and REM sleep are vital for different aspects of recovery and performance. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of cannabis on sleep and athletic recovery.

Cardiovascular System

Clinical research on cannabis, especially THC, demonstrates substantial evidence that it induces notable effects within the cardiovascular system2. These effects of cannabis are particularly relevant to athletes, as cardiovascular efficiency is crucial for performance. Acute cannabis use has been shown to elicit changes in heart rate, cardiac function, blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, ventilatory sensitivity to carbon dioxide, and limb blood flow1,4. These changes could potentially affect cardiovascular performance, particularly in endurance athletes, where hemodynamic stability is essential. For example, increase in heart rate can lead to increased myocardial oxygen demand. This can be particularly impactful for athletes during high-intensity or prolonged exercise, where efficient cardiovascular function is critical. While this relationship is of notable interest, the correlation does not directly result in ergolytic effects. Caffeine, a proven ergogenic supplement, also increases heart rate, thus increasing myocardial oxygen demand, but has been shown to improve maximal oxygen consumption2.

It is of value to take into consideration that the amount of research specifically looking into the relationship of cannabis and cardiorespiratory fitness is scarce with correlations being drawn from research focused on the health outcome effects of cannabis, which do not always correlate with performance outcome. Also worth noting, the long-term effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system remain unclear and should not be overlooked as more research is needed to determine whether chronic use poses risks to athletes1. In short, the takeaway is that while some athletes may not experience adverse effects, others may find that these cardiovascular changes could impact their performance, endurance, and/or overall health.

Brain Development

The impact of cannabis on brain development is a critical consideration, especially for young athletes. The brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, and cannabis use during this period may have lasting effects on cognitive function and brain structure. THC, in particular, has been associated with alterations in brain development, affecting areas related to memory, attention, and decision-making6. These changes could have implications for athletic performance, particularly in sports that require quick decision-making and strategic thinking.

Research suggests that early and frequent cannabis use may lead to structural and functional changes in the brain, potentially affecting an athlete’s ability to process information and respond to dynamic situations. While CBD is generally considered to have a more favorable safety profile, its long-term effects on brain development are not fully understood. Athletes, particularly younger ones, should be cautious about cannabis use and consider the potential risks to brain health.

Conclusion

The effects of cannabis on athletic performance are complex and multifaceted, with both potential benefits and risks. While cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for sleep, pain management, and anxiety reduction, its impact on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and brain development warrants careful consideration. The specific cannabinoids used (THC vs. CBD) can significantly influence the outcomes.

Over the past decade there has been a substantial amount of changes made in regards to policies on the matter of cannabis use. Many US states have begun legalizing cannabis recreationally as well as a noticeable increase in the number of major professional sport leagues removing it from their banned substance testing, such as the NBA, NHL, NWSL, and most recently the NCAA. While this trend may continue to advance, it is important to remember that many states and major professional leagues still have restrictions on cannabis, such as the NFL, MLS, and PGA, and also WADA. As cannabis becomes more accepted and accessible, athletes, coaches, and sports scientists must stay informed and educated on a matter that was seen as taboo to talk about within the sports world for so long and approach its use with caution. More rigorous research is needed to fully understand the implications of cannabis use in sports and to guide evidence-based decision-making for athletes seeking to optimize their performance and recovery.

References

  1. Burr, Jamie F, et al. “Cannabis and Athletic Performance.” Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8566388/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
  2. “Caffeine and Exercise Performance: An Update.” Gatorade Sports Science Institute, www.gssiweb.org/sports-science-exchange/article/caffeine-and-exercise-performance-an-update. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.
  3. “Cannabis (Marijuana).” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 May 2024, nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana.
  4. “Cannabis and Exercise Performance: Current Evidence.” Gatorade Sports Science Institute, www.gssiweb.org/sports-science-exchange/article/cannabis-and-exercise-performance-current-evidence. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
  5. Commissioner, Office of the. “What to Know about Products Containing Cannabis and CBD.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
  6. General, Office of the Surgeon. “Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use & the Developing Brain.” HHS.Gov, 13 Aug. 2021, www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/addiction-and-substance-misuse/advisory-on-marijuana-use-and-developing-brain/index.html.
  7. Kolla, Bhanu Prakash, et al. “The Effects of Cannabinoids on Sleep.” Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9036386/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
  8. Vaillancourt, Régis, et al. “Cannabis Use in Patients with Insomnia and Sleep Disorders: Retrospective Chart Review.” Canadian Pharmacists Journal : CPJ = Revue Des Pharmaciens Du Canada : RPC, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Apr. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/.
  9. Ware, Mark A, et al. “Cannabis and the Health and Performance of the Elite Athlete.” Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine : Official Journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116792/. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.

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