The landscape surrounding cannabis has shifted more in this last decade, arguably, than at any other time.
As a result, athletes, sports medicine providers, and society at large are beginning to grasp and accept the nuanced roles it plays in both performance and recovery.
The narrative is shifting from a stance of outright opposition or unfounded enthusiasm to a balanced and informed approach.
This shift in perspective and policy underscores the need for adequate education and communication about cannabis in the sports world.
A Change in Public Perception of Cannabis
About ten years ago, the perception of cannabis in sports medicine was pretty poor.
It was stereotyped as a gateway drug, equal to addiction and punitive testing policies.
However, as the twenty-first century began, the attitude of society towards cannabis has dramatically changed.
This could be observed in the amendment of organizational policies within competitive sports, where a significant number have deleted cannabis from their list of prohibited substances.
For example, in September 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association acknowledged that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing substance and rescinded its ban.
Evidence-Based Research on Cannabinoids
One of the main reasons behind this is that with time, there has also come a widespread increase in peer-reviewed scientific research that examines the benefits and detriments of individual cannabinoids, such as but not limited to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN).
Although these studies have their limitations, especially regarding elite sports, emerging findings more effectively inform an evidence-based understanding of where cannabis use could be beneficial and where it might not be for use in sports.
A Role for the Sports Medicine Provider
The sports medicine providers are now on the front lines of this new educational revolution.
These caregivers must provide the athlete comprehensive, integrated care that includes the most recent cannabis science.
For clinicians to speak credibly regarding cannabis, they must do more than just deliver facts and data; effective communication requires credibility and trustworthiness.
Athletes have become quite savvy regarding who they will trust, which ultimately requires a credible, knowledgeable, and compassionate messenger.
Addressing Biases and Misconceptions
Part of the education around cannabis for athletes must involve discussing and reframing personal biases and misconceptions.
Athletes deserve to hear the fundamental truths, in a way that speaks to their identity and experience with sport. This approach ensures that the information is accurate but also relevant and relatable.
The former efforts of dispensers of sports medicine advice were more of a drumbeat to abstain from the use of cannabis because it was universally tagged as harmful and of no medical value.
Today, this idiocy no longer carries weight, as more nuanced views of cannabis recognize that this is a multifaceted substance with multiple potential effects based on the exact makeup of its cannabinoids and the physiology and context of each athlete.
Value of Continued Research
With recent advancements, much is yet to be understood about cannabis and its impacts on athletes. One of the primary issues is the scarcity of research studies on a large scale and complete clinical trials.
More research is needed to appreciate the benefits and risks of individual cannabinoids in competitive athletics.
This further supports the drive for advocacy for continued support and funding of studies.
New data will help sports medicine practitioners prepare to offer more evidence-based recommendations and care for athletes who might be considering cannabis use.
The Future for Cannabis in Sports Medicine
The shift in the way we educate and message around cannabis in sports medicine is about changing perception.
Relatable, responsible delivery of current, shared information surrounding nuanced, evidence-based discussions can only further empower the support the athletes’ journeys through the complexity of cannabis use.
The dynamic societal perception towards cannabis means that education and communication also needs to mature at the same time.
Of course, this is where sports medicine providers become so critical: they are the important link that can bring athletes the most current and accurate information so they can properly look after themselves.
