CBD and Rugby

CBD is used by a growing number of professional rugby players as a natural alternative to painkillers. However, if CBD is to become mainstream, more long-term studies into its safety are needed, and players must be educated about the risks of an anti-doping breach.

Natural Pain Relief

Rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Recovery relies on strength and conditioning work, nutrition, rest and sleep, but some players find that this isn't enough.

Many players take painkillers regularly due to the constant load placed on the body. Painkillers may be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are known for causing gut issues and should not be taken for long periods or on an empty stomach - however, some players resort to very strong opioids like Tramadol, which is addictive.

So, if a natural product like CBD is available which may offer some benefits, players are likely to be interested in trying it.

The Need for Education

Last year, Liverpool John Moores University conducted a study into CBD use among 517 professional rugby players. Most of them had never used it, but a quarter had at least once, and 8% continued to do so. The benefits reported included:

• improved sleep
• pain relief
• reduced inflammation

Professor Graeme Close, an advisor to the England rugby team, contributed to this study and says that players need to be educated about the risks of an anti-doping violation, despite CBD not being on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of banned substances.“

The fact that players aren’t receiving qualified advice is worrying,” Professor Close explains.

“In the hemp plant, there are well over 100 cannabinoids. Only one of them is not prohibited by WADA, and all the others are. So if an athlete is taking CBD, we need to be sure it comes from a source where we know there are no other cannabinoids present that could lead to a failed anti-doping test.”

Establishing the Safety of CBD

Naturecan has partnered with Liverpool John Moores University and the CBD research team led by Professor Close. Moyra Cosgrove, Head of Nutrition at Naturecan, is pursuing her Professional Doctorate within this team, focusing specifically on the potential use of CBD in athletes.

“Naturecan recognises that its success is built on consumer safety and confidence in the brand,” she says. “The research being carried out at LJMU will help answer some of the key questions surrounding the use of CBD.”

As things stand, athletes need to be aware of the anti-doping risks associated with CBD, and it is recommended that they seek qualified advice before using any supplement, including CBD.

“If we can establish that it’s safe from a health perspective, we can then determine whether it leads to the accumulation of non-CBD cannabinoids, which are still prohibited by WADA,” says Professor Graeme Close.

“We might then have an exciting new avenue to support pain relief, sleep, and muscle recovery—three very important areas. There is also some evidence from animal studies suggesting it could help with brain injuries, such as concussion.”

While clubs and governing bodies do mention CBD in anti-doping discussions, Professor Close believes the issue needs to be addressed more directly with players.

“The worst thing we could do is ignore it, bury our heads in the sand, and avoid these conversations,” he says. “We need to clearly explain the risks of anti-doping rule violations to athletes… But I also think there’s reason to be optimistic, because this is one of the most exciting and innovative areas of sports nutrition research I’ve seen in 20 years as an academic.”

About Prof. Graeme Close

A former professional Rugby League player, Graeme is a Professor of Human Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, and expert nutrition consultant to England Rugby. 

He is also a nutrition consultant to Everton FC and Nottingham Forest, and the Head of Performance Nutrition for the Lawn Tennis Association and European Tour Golf.