Like all other 31 NFL teams in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers have players that suffer injuries every season. Some look to more organic resources to help with recovery. Over the years, cannabis use has been banned and labeled as harmful to human beings. There are still many fallacies surrounding cannabis, and many people are unaware of its benefits. However, with years of research, experts discovered the therapeutic value of cannabis and weed-derived products for users.
Ed Zurga | Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
CBD is a major compound in the weed plant responsible for numerous health effects. Just ask former Steelers linebacker, Ryan Shazier. American football players are not left behind when it comes to CBD. Many other players take advantage of the herbal extract because of its analgesic properties as well. Even though research is ongoing, several studies reveal the potential of CBD-infused products in treating ailments linked with professional football. These issues include joint pains, inflammation, and muscle soreness.
In addition, CBD can assist players in dealing with stress and anxiety that arises before the game. One of the great advantages of CBD is its organic and non-intoxicating nature. Hence, players will not get high during the game.
This article discusses the potential benefit of CBD on American football players, including the Steelers.
What Is CBD And Why Is It Beneficial For The Steelers?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of the main elements in the cannabis plant. It is extracted from the hemp variant and contains the natural therapeutic value for human health. CBD is widely popular in the medical cannabis sector since it helps in relieving chronic pain and inflammatory infections. These properties benefit American football players since they are prone to muscle and joint injuries. Recovery plays a crucial role in maintaining peak performance, and exploring different cannabis extracts can offer additional support. Learning the differences between liquid diamonds vs live resin can help athletes choose the best option for their needs.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The American Journal of Sports Medicine has also recognized the potential benefits of CBD in managing certain conditions that players and athletes face. These issues are related to swelling and inflammation during athletic activity.
Since NFL has strict policies against marijuana, most players have embraced CBD-infused products to help enhance their performance and treat underlying conditions.
Moreover, several studies have revealed that CBD also alleviates stress and anxiety disorders. Thus, it is a great remedy for improving players’ mental health. Many football players get performance anxiety before the game begins, which might affect their ability to play. Besides, if left untreated, the anxiety might develop into full-blown depression.
In the recent past, researchers have been making progress in assessing the effects of CBD on users. Thus, the medical sector uses the drug as an alternative option to treat various illnesses and conditions. Hence, the sports industry is now open to allowing football players to use CBD products for pain management.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are among the best American football teams with skilled players. The late Franco Harris, one of the team’s legendary former players, greatly supported the medical cannabis industry. Many Steelers players endorse CBD as a potentially beneficial drug that can provide wholesome wellness benefits besides managing pain-related conditions.
Photo credit: Steelers.com
Franco Harris rumbling his way to the game winning score.
Health Benefits of CBD: How It Helps Football Players
As mentioned above, CBD is clinically proven to provide numerous health benefits to users. Let us explore some advantages football players will experience after incorporating CBD into their daily regimen.
Pain Management
Nothing is more frustrating than a player suffering from a muscle ache or swollen tendon in the middle of a game. While players may be given painkillers to ease the discomfort, field injuries may be more traumatic and severe. The pain might be too much to endure for some players.
Studies have shown that CBD contains potent healing properties that help reduce chronic pain, especially conditions in the neural pathway. Therefore, players can incorporate a CBD vaping routine to help in pain management. However, consulting a sports health expert before using any CBD product is always good. This is because of the strict drug restrictions in the sports industry. Besides, the player must understand that the dosage depends on the severity of the injury.
Stress Relief
Football players encounter stressful situations in and out of the field. From facing the pressure to perform and the disappointments after defeat, it can be too much for the players to handle, not forgetting the daily pressures of life. As a result, mental stress can kick in and develop into depressive disorders. Other players might also suffer from chronic insomnia and depression. If these conditions are left untreated, athletes become unresponsive and suicidal, as reported in many cases by NFL players.
Thus, CBD can be a lifesaver if used within the recommended doses. The CBD-infused products alleviate mental stress and regulate the moods and emotions of the players. Consuming the right dosage causes relaxing and calming feelings, thus reducing high-stress levels. In addition, it promotes quality sleep and treats players with chronic insomnia.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
If you get injured or sick, the body gets inflamed as a natural response. Many football players get injured during the game due to the nature of professional sports. This leads to inflammatory infections that cause pain, muscle soreness, and swelling. Unfortunately, players get derailed by these symptoms and might fail to perform as expected. CBD can become a significant supplement recommended for professional players who seek to lessen their chances of pain-related injuries because of inflammation.
Keith Srakocic / AP
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, left, is pushed along the field as some players from the University of Pittsburgh they take part in the NCAA football team' s annual pro-day, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Pittsburgh, where eligible players perform tests and drills for scouts from professional teams.
Protection Against Seizures
American football is an aggressive game that might result in head injuries. Some players with concussions from head injuries might experience seizures. Thus, CBD-infused products might come in handy in preventing seizures from occurring and reducing seizure intensity.
Anti-Oxidative Cell Protection
Oxidative stress occurs in the human body and results in cell imbalance. These oxidants might be harmful to the cells and cause illnesses or allergies.
Besides helping players to manage pain, CBD is an antioxidant that provides neuroprotection to the body. Therefore, CBD-infused products are a great solution for preventing chronic oxidative-related illnesses like depression, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. These conditions are mentally draining, and a daily CBD dose might do the trick.
Types of CBD Products
Football players can consume different types of CBD-infused products available in the modern market. Some of these products include CBD vape pens, CBD topicals, tinctures, oils, and balms. Still, it’s vital to remember that players should consume THC-free products to avoid getting flagged for contravening the NFL policies.
Vaping is among the most popular methods of CBD consumption that many players prefer due to its discreetness and convenience. A vape pen is a small, stylish device that resembles an e-cigarette. It is shaped like a pen and is available as a refillable or disposable device. Vape pens contain CBD concentrates blended with natural flavors that heat up to produce vapor.
You can access a wide variety of vape pens at askgrowers.com/cbd/cbd-vaping/vape-pens and discover leading brands with top-quality products.
Tips to Consider When Purchasing a CBD Vape Pen
Steelers.com
So, how does one know the best vape pen to purchase? Here are a few factors to consider:
Budget. You must consider the price before purchasing a vaping device to see whether it falls within your budget range. The vape pens have different prices depending on their design, brand, or purpose. So, identify an ideal product that suits your needs and offers an excellent vaping experience.
Potency. Knowing the CBD content in the vape pen is vital to ensure the product aligns with your needs. Find a brand that reveals the product’s potency and indicates it accurately on the packaging.
Ingredients. Check the ingredients of the pen before purchasing. Some contain minimal THC levels that might not be recommended in the sports industry. So, pick one that contains pure CBD concentrates and avoid poor-quality products.
Customer reviews. Research extensively and find out what other customers are reporting about the brand. Read online reviews and make an informed choice about the product you want to purchase.
Conclusion
CBD is among the most sought-after organic supplements for football players because of its numerous health benefits. Many sportspeople use various CBD products to manage anxiety, stress, muscle aches, and inflammation. Since cannabis legalization is ongoing, further research on CBD effects will benefit professional football players. Besides, the recent decision by NFL to allow CBD-infused products for pain management will open more possibilities in the medical cannabis industry.
The author of this material is Denys Svirepchuk, a keen fan of American football and a cannabis industry advocate. Denys works as a full-time blogger at AskGrowers, where he prepares expert pieces on the advancements of cannabis technology. He is always ready to share his knowledge on safe CBD use, proper CBD product selection, and the legal landscape of CBD use for various categories of populations.
