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Is CBD Banned by NCAA? – Latest Update

In the last decade, CBD skyrocketed into its popular phase as many of its unique benefits and effects on the quality of human life spread globally.

Its influence has deepened across multiple sectors and industries of the word, especially in the fields of medicine and therapy.

More people are discovering how CBD can help improve their everyday lives all over the world.

Companies conduct research and invest in creating multiple dosage forms of CBD that medically, socially, and commercially meet targeted needs.

People have begun to involve CBD-based products in their everyday routines, either as gummies or as oils.

Even with much exposure, general stand on the legality of CBD by organizations and associations is not yet established.

This uncertainty eases the question, “is CBD banned by NCAA?”

Yes! The NCAA bans CBD.

It is best to be on the safe side by understanding just what CBD means to an athlete and why a ban is placed on it by the NCAA.

What is the NCAA?

If you are a student-athlete, there is a likely chance you have come across this a couple of times.

Nonetheless, let’s take a closer look at just what the NCAA is and why they get to place a ban on specific products and substances.

The NCAA translates to The National Collegiate Athletic Association.

It is a US-based athletic association that focuses on student-athletes in colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.

It is also responsible for organizing athletic programs that cut across these institutions, which puts the association in power to determine the state laws.

What is CBD?

Over the years, the cannabis plant has been researched, and many of its beneficial effects discovered and explored.

The cannabis plants come with different strains, each of which has its benefits and risks.

Note that CBD is not the cannabis plant itself but is one of the many strains gotten from the plant.

These strains inside CBG, CBN, CBD, THC, and much more are being discovered;

CBD is the most exploited.

This is due to its ease of extractability, unique benefits, and properties, like its low THC content.

Why Is There a Ban On CBD by the NCAA?

The NCAA banned several substances and medications whose effects go against the association’s set standards, rules, and regulations in any program or event.

These include all narcotics, stimulants, and cannabinoids, of which CBD and THC are a part.

Even with the many benefits of CBD, the stance on its legality is not unanimous globally for various reasons.

One of which is the fact that these programs are designed to keep athletes at their peak performance.

Another reason is the health of athletes and the fairness of the events.

CBD’s effect on the endocannabinoid system has an increased positive impact on the nervous system.

This effect is especially beneficial to athletes and could provide enhanced performance, especially recovery from athletic performances.

Athletes and CBD? The Risks and Benefits

The body’s nervous system, which is closely responsible for cognitive function, coordination, motor control, and even your mood, is directly influenced by the endocannabinoid system, of which CBD has a remarkable effect.

Its many positive results prove highly beneficial to athletes.

CBD can reduce recovery time and speed up healing and well-being, but the NCAA policies are against it in any athletic program.

CBD has a lot of benefits to athletes, some of which include:

Stress reduction
Pain relief
Inflammation
Relaxation
Sleep disorders
Epilepsy
Enhanced recovery

However, CBD also has several risks associated with its use, especially with athletes.

As much as CBD is a strain of the cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% of THC, it still contains THC even though in trace amounts.

Depending on the type of CBD used, THC can cause specific unpleasable side effects which could affect athletic performance.

There is also the possibility that the CBD product taken, either as oils or edibles, can enhance athletes’ capabilities.

NCAA carries out periodic testing for the athletes, these drug tests also check for THC amounts in the body, and it could mean bad for the career of an athlete if the amount is found to be higher than a particular percentage.

Are There Exceptions to The Ban?

The national collegiate athletic association has strict policies and regulations surrounding the use of banned substances of CBD.

The association bans CBD and other types of cannabidiol, putting them on the same table as narcotics and even alcohol in some cases.

At the same time, some of the substances are banned, only for specific sports activities like alcohol and rifle games.

These regulations surrounding CBD bind all athletes that participate in their programs.

Even athletes who medically require CBD or CBD-related products like epileptic athletes are exempt from this policy/rule.

Is There a Type of CBD Safe for Athletes?

CBD products, including oils and edibles, come in different forms, types, concentrations, and quality, and these largely influence the drug results on an NCAA test.

Using low-quality CBD products can be detrimental to your health and your career.

While the chances of CBD showing up on a drug test are down due to its minimal amount of THC present, it can also show on your drug test, depending on the product quality.

Certain types of CBD products are safer for use by athletes.

These include a CBD isolate or broad-spectrum oil, which are generally believed to be THC-free.

They should also be used in careful products altogether regardless of their calculated amounts.

However, it is imperative not to take risks with your athlete career and avoid CBD altogether.

Conclusion

As an athlete under NCAA, it will do you a lot of good to avoid CBD products, especially when you have an NCAA drug test right around the corner.

This is because even products that contain less than 0.3% THC content can experience a buildup, making you go past the required THC levels to pass the test.

If you need CBD products, do proper research on the company to ascertain the quality and look out for THC-free oils.