Cannabis, CBD & Sport

CBD has been permitted by WADA since 2018. THC remains banned in competition (150 ng/ml).

TL;DR: CBD is legal, THC is banned in-competition (>150 ng/ml in urine). No doping advantage from THC. CBD is anti-inflammatory and sleep-promoting — highly interesting for recovery.

WADA Rules

CBD: explicitly exempted since 2018.

THC: banned in-competition. Threshold limit is 150 ng/ml in urine.

Out-of-competition use is permitted.

What Studies Show

Acute THC: decreases VO₂max by ~10%, increases resting heart rate, impairs reaction time. No doping advantage.

CBD: anti-inflammatory effects, sleep-promoting, potential reduction of DOMS — evidence remains inconsistent (Isenmann 2021).

Chronic THC consumption: reduced motivation, lower training volume.

FAQ

Can recreational use lead to WADA sanctions?

Yes, if an in-competition test exceeds 150 ng/ml — even if consumption occurred days prior.

Does CBD help with muscle soreness?

Anecdotally highly popular, but scientific studies are limited. Isenmann 2021 shows minor positive effects on DOMS and sleep.