Since 2017 CBD may be used by elite athletes too
Using CBD is legal in the Netherlands and many countries around us. Additional rules apply to professional athletes: they may not use substances on the doping list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). CBD was on it, but that was changed in 2017. Since then CBD is no longer on that list.
Why athletes come across CBD
CBD is a food supplement. There are currently no EU-approved health claims for CBD, so we make no promises about it and do not put a list of expected results here either.
What we can explain is where it acts. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors in the body that is involved in a wide range of bodily processes. How that interaction plays out, and what it means for an athlete, is still the subject of research.
Take care with THC if you are an elite athlete
Do you play sport at a high level and do you fall under the WADA rules? Then bear in mind that THC does remain banned. In the Netherlands CBD oil with less than 0.05% THC is permitted, but with elite athletes the THC content in the blood is what is looked at.
So choose a product that is established to contain no THC. Those are products based on broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate. Pay attention to the brand: at Dutch Hemp and Wedihemp every batch is externally tested, so there you know what you have in your hands.
What else to look out for
Have you never used CBD and is an important competition coming up? Then do not start just before it. Some people report a dry mouth, others become sleepy from it, and a change in appetite or mild gastrointestinal complaints also occur. None of that is convenient on a competition day.
So start at a time when no top performance is expected of you, keep it low and see calmly how your body responds.
CBD is not a replacement for training, nutrition, recovery or medical care.
Frequently asked questions about CBD and sport
What does CBD do to your body?
We do not say, because no health claims have been approved for CBD in the European Union. What we can explain: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a network in the body that is involved in a wide range of processes. How that plays out, including for athletes, is still being researched. CBD is no substitute for training, nutrition, recovery or medical care.
What are the downsides of CBD?
Some people report a dry mouth, a change in appetite or mild digestive complaints. If you are an elite athlete subject to WADA rules, watch out for THC: CBD has not been on the doping list since 2017, but THC still is. In that case, choose broad spectrum or CBD isolate. If you take medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
How many mg of CBD can you take per day?
We do not give a fixed amount in milligrams. Start low, for example with 2 to 3 drops of 5% CBD oil, and stick to the dosage on the label. One drop of 5% oil contains about 2 mg of CBD.
What is the best time to take CBD?
Choose a fixed moment that fits your day. If you have never used CBD before, do not start right before an important match, but at a time when no top performance is expected of you. That way you can calmly see how your body responds.
