Professional athletes deal with a lot of physical wear and tear. They put their bodies through the grind. And those who play contact sports, like football, are particularly prone to painful and lasting injury. Common football injuries include ligament tears, shoulder dislocations, and damage to the knees, ankles, and other joints. Though these athletes are physically strong and generally capable of healing at a quick rate, the damage they take has the potential to leave them in a state of chronic pain. For that reason, the NFL takes issues of athlete pain management seriously. The League has specific standards to which every player and every team must adhere when it comes to managing pain.
In the past, pain management options have included opioids. But because of the risk of dependence inherent in the use of opioids as treatment, the NFL has a vested interest in finding other methods of combating pain—especially chronic pain—among its players.
In February of this year, in the interest of moving toward better overall player health, the NFL filed a Request for Information (RFI) about pain management as it related to athletics and athletic performance. Though the request was fairly open-ended, the NFL did give suggestions as to the kind of information that would be welcome. Specifically, they mentioned non-pharmacological pain interventions, including CBD. They’re also seeking any information as to what the overall impact of CBD use might be on the body of an athlete, or on his athletic performance.
The NFL’s Pain Management Committee (PMC) has in the past expressed interest and is now following through, on finding alternatives to opioids to help manage pain among players in order to minimize the risks of dependence.
A Request for Information is a promising development, but it is not actually a promise. It must be noted that, although the NFL’s PMC is making the effort to learn more about the various pain management techniques it might offer to its players, it has not yet dedicated any money to the pursuit. No studies have been commissioned. We hope the PMC will continue to follow through on this line of questioning by finding a worthy study and funding it, allowing new information about cannabis to come to light. If that does happen, it’s likely that the NFL’s quest for knowledge will benefit not only football players but the rest of us as well
Assuming a study does take place, we can certainly hazard a guess at what kind of information will be found. That’s because the NFL isn’t the first organization to investigate the idea of replacing opioid treatments with cannabis.
A 2019 study conducted by chronic pain specialist Dr. Kevin Rod, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, instructed patients to taper their daily opioid doses in exchange for increasing doses of cannabis. Over 75% of the study’s participants decreased their overall opioid use by the time the study ended, and 25% of the participants ceased using opioids at all. Another study, conducted last year, found that 40% of its chronic pain patients were successfully able to replace opioids with medical cannabis.
Obviously, these numbers are not perfect, and we’d like to see a study in which every participant was successfully able to make the switch. Still, it’s encouraging news and should make the NFL feel hopeful that there is good information out there that will help them and their players. Any time we can replace opioid treatment with cannabis, eliminating the risk of life-destroying dependence, we have to count it as a win.
Consuming alcohol heavily in young adulthood is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), the most widespread substance-related disorder worldwide. Research has already shed light on the effects of individual differences like alcohol sensitivity and cardiovascular responses in predicting binge drinking behaviors and progression to AUD. However, there remains a gap…
Kentucky is once again exploring medical cannabis legalization, D.C. made good on its expungement promises, and Minnesota okayed a psychedelic task force. Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews. Kentucky Inches Toward Medical Cannabis Legalization Earlier this week, Kentucky’s State Senate passed a new proposal that seeks to legalize medical cannabis in the state. Under the…
The people of Japan, a country renowned for its sushi cuisine scene, iconic Mount Fuji, and eye-catching cherry blossom trees, may soon have access to legal medicinal marijuana for intractable diseases. On Tuesday, January 24, several legislative bills were unveiled by the Japanese government. One of the proposed bills would amend the Cannabis Control Law…
Missouri is home to an estimated population of roughly 6 million residents. The state is popular for the agriculture industry, barbecue, and historic landmarks like the Gateway Arch. Missouri borders eight states and is a gateway to adventure in the land of legal cannabis. Six of the eight states surrounding Missouri have very strict cannabis…
Alternative medicine is becoming more widely acknowledged and practiced than ever before, opening the door for therapies like psychedelics to enter the world of mainstream healthcare. One psychedelic that’s been getting a whole lot of attention lately is psilocybin, an active ingredient in mushroom species that are often called “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is a naturally…
For those who suffer from muscle pain, chronic pain, or joint pain, cannabis topicals can be a game-changer. But how exactly do…
Maryland and Delaware are exploring their cannabis policies, a Texas representative introduced another decriminalization bill, and New Orleans okayed cannabis-infused seltzers. Let’s…
Who would have thought that cannabis cultivation could be Alaska’s biggest earner? Over the course of the next eight years, marijuana cultivation…