Once thought of as a "hard drug" that's only use was to get you high, cannabis has come a long way in recent years. Slowly but steadily, the social stigma surrounding cannabis use has started to loosen, with cannabis products suddenly entering the mainstream market.

This move is largely linked to the emergence of cannabidiol (CBD) - a cannabis-derived compound with a range of therapeutic effects. Specifically, cannabidiol oil is often touted for its stress relieving, pain-reducing, and mood-enhancing benefits.

The health and fitness world is one growing sector where people find great efficacy in cannabis and its derivatives. CBD and its impact on recovery for basketball players has soared, with professional athletes like Al Harrington and Lamar Odom advocating for and endorsing its use.

Below, we explore why cannabis products, specifically CBD for NBA players, is so useful and how it can help them relax after a game.

Should Basketball Players Use Cannabis Products?

Many current and former professional athletes in different sports have spoken openly about their use of cannabis and its derivatives. Moreover, the removal of CBD from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances in 2018 - in or out of competition - saw a substantial rise in CBD use in the sporting world.

Kenyon Martin, a former Denver Nuggets basketball player, estimates that 85% of NBA players use cannabis products. CBD for NBA players may be especially useful, helping to relax the body and mind after a game.

Of course, the decision to use cannabis products is a personal one. It may be more appealing to some basketball players than others.

But, it's worth noting that CBD is non-intoxicating, so it won't make you high. Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed it as generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. Moreover, it's natural with fewer side effects than prescription drugs.

The Best Cannabis Products for Basketball Players

There is still some confusion regarding the use of cannabis for basketball players. The NBA appears to have a more open-minded approach to cannabis use when compared to other major sports leagues in the U.S. However, marijuana remains banned by the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Nonetheless, in March 2020, the league suspended marijuana testing. Therefore, players can smoke weed without the risk of repercussions.

However, CBD for NBA players may still be a safer bet. CBD is more widely accepted and is not on the WADA’s list of prohibited substances. Also, as already discussed, CBD is non-intoxicating, so it won't affect your state of mind or ability to function normally.

CBD products are available in various forms, including tinctures, capsules, vape devices, topicals, edibles, and lots more. Different products are better suited for different users depending on their needs.

If you enjoy smoking or vaping, vape products may be appealing, while capsules may be a better option for those wanting a quick and easy way to reap the benefits of CBD. Tinctures can be used sublingually or added to foods and beverages, while topicals are applied externally to problem areas. Topicals are commonly used for pain management.

How Cannabis Products Help Basketball Players Relax

Being a professional basketball player entails putting your body and mind under tremendous stress, and you often don't have much time to recover between games. Quality rest is one of the most powerful ways to enhance recovery after an intense workout or game.

One of the greatest benefits of CBD for NBA players is stress relief. Unlike traditional performance-enhancing drugs, like steroids, cannabis products work indirectly to repair the body.

Steroids increase your muscle size and the power you exert beyond your natural limits, making the drug a performance enhancer. Cannabis, on the other hand, exerts its effects by interacting with our endocannabinoid system (which regulates important bodily functions like sleep, pain, and mood). Through this interaction, cannabis returns you to a state of balance after you've been depleted.

CBD is well-known for its calming properties, making it an excellent wellness supplement for relaxation. And not only can it relax the mind but also the body thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. As reported in one 2010 study, cannabinoids like CBD may be effective anti-inflammatory agents, working to reduce inflammation to a healthy and safe level.

By bringing the body and mind back into a state of balance, CBD can also improve sleep, which is vital for maintaining physical and mental health. These effects are invaluable for professional athletes, for whom rest and recovery are crucial for optimal performance.

Final Thoughts on Cannabis Products for Basketball Players

Cannabis products boast an array of potential benefits for people from all walks of life but may be especially useful for professional athletes.

CBD's calming properties make it an excellent option for relaxing after a big game. It helps relax the body and mind and promotes a good night's rest ensuring a speedy recovery for basketball players before their next big game.

The market is packed with CBD products, so it's easy to find CBD for NBA players. However, it's important to shop from reputable and trustworthy brands to ensure high-quality products that are safe and effective.