How to Use Cannabis to Treat Sports-Related Injuries

Just a few short years ago, cannabis was still viewed as highly illegal in most of the United States and the rest of the world. However, in recent times, the view on marijuana has changed, with medical and medicinal purposes being approved all around the world. In some states, like Colorado, cannabis has even been approved for recreational use. 

In this article, we’ll focus on the medical and medicinal uses of cannabis; most importantly, sports-related injuries. Unfortunately, getting injured is part and parcel of being a sportsperson. It is almost unavoidable. So, whether you’re a recreational or professional sports player, let’s take a look at how you may be able to use cannabis to treat your injuries. 

What is Cannabis?

If you didn’t know already, cannabis is a plant that grows in warm, humid conditions. It is packed full of different cannabidiols, the compounds that make up the plant. For many years, humans have smoked, crushed, and ingested cannabis in many forms. Sometimes, this was for recreation and sometimes for health. As mentioned, the science and view on cannabis have changed massively over the years, from widely accepted to mostly banned and now, slowly, back towards being accepted again.

What Are THC and CBD?

The two most commonly talked about compounds in cannabis are THC and CBD. THC, as explained by the cannabis pros over at delta 8, is a psychoactive substance that among other positive sensations, can cause, feelings of euphoria and relaxation. However, these experts have also discovered that delta-8-THC is far less potent than the delta-9 variant.

This makes it much closer to CBD in terms of psychoactivity. CBD is the other main cannabidiol that has zero psychoactive properties at all but can help with pain and anxiety. Finding a THC closer to a CBD level means that it is far more accessible to most people for both recreation and medical uses.

The Mechanics of Sports Injuries

So, what is a sports injury and how can cannabis come into play? Well, the most common type of sports injury is muscular strains and tears. Overextension of limbs or awkward twists often causes muscles and ligaments to stretch, tear or swell. Alongside this, bones can often be broken when playing contact sports.

Almost all cannabis products have been shown to help reduce inflammation. This means that unnecessary swelling can be combated by both THC and CBD products, leading to hopefully faster healing times and fewer complications. In many places, doctors are now prescribing cannabis products for this very reason! 

It is worth noting that on top of this, both CBD and certain types of THC have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. A huge part of sports injuries can be a mental worry. Tearing a muscle could mean months or years on the sidelines, waiting for surgery or post-surgical healing. But, being in a negative mental state can hinder healing. So, using CBD, for example, to reduce your worries and sleep better can improve your recovery time.

Types of Cannabis Products and Ways to Use Them For Injuries

What kinds of cannabis products would be suitable for this kind of treatment? Well, if you focus on muscular strains, you can always opt for a cream or ointment. These can target specific areas of inflammation and help work against pain in that area, much like traditional heat gels or pads.

On top of this, there are CBD and THC vape pens. These mimic smoking, so if you have never smoked, you may find these harder to use. However, they will get the compounds into your bloodstream extremely quickly. This can help with the pain, anxiety, and stress of an injury, whilst also getting to work on any inflammation in your body.

Finally, there are edible cannabis products. Often, you’ll find edibles in the form of sweet treats, which is a nice bonus! These are slower working as they have to be digested and often can create quite a buzz in terms of psychoactive response. They are extremely relaxing and work well to help people de-stress and sleep.

Who Should Try This?

It is worth mentioning that although these compounds are now legal in many states and countries, plenty of sporting regulatory boards does not also see cannabis this way. In many professional sports, CBD and THC are still banned substances and although athletes are campaigning to have the rules changed, they may not yet be changed in your sport. So, if you are a professional, make sure you check the rulebook before ingesting cannabis! If you are a recreational sportsperson, then you may take cannabis products whenever you feel like it, so long as it is legal to do so where you are!

Cannabis, then, can be an excellent aid for stress, inflammation, pain, and more. If you have picked up any injuries through sport, it can help you recover, alongside professional treatment. Look online for awesome THC stores and you’ll find the products that will suit you.