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Alcohol may have been the drug of choice for your parents and grandparents, but social drinking is declining among younger generations, with edible cannabis and cannabis-infused beverages becoming increasingly popular. For those raised in the years when marijuana was considered taboo, the shifting attitudes toward edibles and alcohol may be difficult to comprehend. However, when you consider the health risks associated with alcohol and the increasing trend toward the legalization of cannabis, the popularity of edibles becomes easier to understand.
The Rise of Edibles in Athletic Communities
A growing number of young people, both athletes and otherwise, are opting to stay away from alcohol. The sale of nonalcoholic drinks is increasing, and so is the use of cannabis. This trend is motivated in part by young people saying they don’t like how alcohol makes them feel or that they’ve seen the impact alcoholism had on their families and they want to break the cycle.
Turning to cannabis offers a socially acceptable “high” with fewer perceived risks than alcohol consumption. Whether that perception is true remains to be seen. Daily marijuana consumption can increase a person’s risk of a stroke by 42% and the risk of a heart attack by 25%. However, many young athletes are opting to consume cannabis in edible form, and only occasionally rather than every single day. For these individuals, edible cannabis is a way to unwind after a long, hard week of training. They might seek out carefully designed strains with high CBD content to ease aches and pains or measured doses of THC for a gentle high.
Potential Benefits of Edible Cannabis for Athletes
If there’s one demographic that needs to take its health seriously, it’s athletes. Alcohol is a sedative and is also thought to suppress the immune system. Both are unwanted features for athletes, whether engaging in team sports, athletic pursuits or esports, where fast reaction times are paramount.
In contrast, cannabis offers similar relaxing effects without the downsides. Some cannabinoids have an anti-inflammatory effect and can help alleviate aches and pains, which has led to National Hockey League players choosing weed as their drug of choice. Athletes who are training hard and feeling sore and tired want something that’s reasonably safe and enjoyable, and cannabis appears to offer that.
While it’s possible to smoke marijuana, athletes are naturally wary of inhaling a drug in any form. Edible cannabis offers an easy, convenient and inoffensive way to feel the high associated with cannabis without the risks (or unwanted odors) associated with smoking.
Risks and Controversies Surrounding Edible Use
While cannabis has been legalized for medicinal use in 39 U.S. states and recreational use in 24, this doesn’t mean it’s completely safe to use. Some people react badly to cannabis, and those who are predisposed to certain mental health conditions may find regular cannabis use can trigger psychosis or paranoid episodes.
In addition, some challenges surround the use of edibles in particular. Prepackaged gummies, cannabis-infused beverages and other similar products make it easy to manage the dosages. In contrast, homemade edibles are less predictable. Newer cannabis users who aren’t familiar with their tolerance levels may struggle to manage their dosages when consuming homemade brownies or cookies. It’s all too easy to consume an edible, feel the dose wasn’t strong enough and take more, only to find the high kicks in later than expected. If someone takes too much of an edible, the only thing they can do is wait for the effects to pass.
The use of cannabis among athletes is controversial. Many professional sports (and sports entertainment organizations) have wellness policies prohibiting the use of marijuana. While some campaigners are pushing for marijuana rules to be relaxed, the drug remains on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances list for Olympic athletes. There are even some controversies about weed and video games. The Electronic Sports League allows esports athletes to consume marijuana outside of events, but on event days, the use of cannabis is prohibited, even for medicinal purposes.
Many athletes and gamers disagree with these decisions, believing that, since cannabis isn’t thought to be a performance-enhancing drug, its use should be permitted. However, since cannabis legalization is still in its early days, there isn’t a lot of evidence to prove or disprove the performance-enhancing effects or long-term safety of the drug, leading to sports organizations opting to err on the side of caution. The NHL weed rules have recently changed to allow players to endorse legal cannabis brands, but so far, it’s in the minority with this move.
The Future of Cannabis in Professional Sports
Whatever your stance on the use of cannabis and other drugs, if you’re an athlete, it’s vital to comply with the rules set by the governing body of your sport. While the NHL may be taking a progressive stance on edibles and alcohol, many other sports still have strict, blanket cannabis bans in place. WADA and other “clean sports” organizations move slowly, and it could take years for a big enough body of evidence to be available for anti-doping organizations to arrive at a ruling in either direction.
In the next few years, other sports organizations may permit cannabis now that it’s becoming legal in more parts of the United States. However, legalization may open up more clinical trials, and those trials could produce evidence that classifies cannabis as a performance-enhancing drug. Nobody has a crystal ball, so the best course of action for aspiring athletes is to do their best to comply with the current regulations.
Don’t Let Addiction Shorten Your Sporting Career
If you’re an athlete and concerned that you’ve become dependent upon edible cannabis or other illicit substances, know that help is available. FHE Health provides confidential rehab services and can help you break free from substance abuse. Contact us now to book a consultation with one of our team members or request insurance verification. We can help you beat your addiction and enjoy your sporting career to the fullest.
