CBD for Recovery: What Elite Athletes’ Experiences Can Teach Us About Sleep, Pain and Relaxation
Recovery is often the invisible part of performance.
We see the training sessions, the races, the competition highlights. What we don’t see are the restless nights, the stiff mornings, the mental fatigue that builds up when the body is constantly asked to do more. For elite athletes, recovery isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. And increasingly, one plant-based compound keeps coming up in conversations about rest and recovery: CBD.
But is this just another wellness trend, or is there something more behind the interest?
A recent scientific survey exploring CBD use among elite Canadian athletes offers an interesting window into how and why CBD is being used in high-performance environments – particularly for sleep, relaxation and managing training-related discomfort. While the study doesn’t prove what CBD can or cannot do, it helps us understand how real people experience it, and what that might mean for the rest of us.
What Is CBD, Explained Simply
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the hemp plant. Hemp belongs to the same plant family as cannabis, but CBD itself does not cause a “high”.
That intoxicating effect is linked to another compound, THC. CBD works differently. It is non-psychoactive and is often used by people looking for support with relaxation, sleep or physical balance, without altering their mental clarity.
In recent years, CBD has appeared in CBD oils, CBD balms, CBD gummies and CBD creams, making it more accessible than ever. Yet despite its popularity, CBD is still widely misunderstood – especially when it comes to what it can realistically offer.
Why Athletes Are Turning to CBD
Elite athletes live at the edge of physical capacity. Training pushes muscles, joints and the nervous system to adapt again and again. Sleep becomes critical. So does the ability to wind down, both physically and mentally.
This is where CBD has attracted attention. Not as a performance booster, but as something that might support recovery between active sessions.
In the Canadian study, researchers surveyed Olympic and Paralympic-level athletes about their CBD use, their reasons for using it, and how they felt it affected them. Importantly, the study focused on perceived benefits, not medical outcomes or treatment effects.
That distinction matters.
How Common Is CBD Use Among Elite Athletes?
According to the survey, just over a third of the athletes reported having used CBD at some point. A smaller group said they were actively using it at the time of the study.
This isn’t a majority, but it’s far from niche – especially in a group known for being cautious, regulated, and closely monitored. CBD is permitted by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which makes it one of the few cannabinoids athletes are allowed to use, provided products are free from banned substances.
The fact that so many athletes are curious about CBD suggests that recovery needs are not always fully met by training plans, nutrition and sleep routines alone.
Sleep: One of the Most Commonly Reported Reasons
Sleep came up again and again in athletes’ responses.
Most CBD users in the study said they felt CBD helped them sleep better or feel more relaxed in the evening. This doesn’t mean CBD acts as a sleeping pill. Instead, athletes described a sense of winding down – the kind of mental and physical easing that can make falling asleep feel more natural.
Sleep is when the body repairs tissue, regulates hormones and consolidates learning. Even small disruptions can affect how someone feels the next day. For athletes training daily, poor sleep can quickly add up.
It’s easy to see why a non-intoxicating compound associated with relaxation would appeal in this context.
Training-Related Discomfort and Recovery
Another frequently mentioned reason for CBD use was managing discomfort like muscle soreness linked to training.
Intense exercise creates microscopic stress in muscles and connective tissue. This is normal – it’s how the body adapts and becomes stronger. But it can also lead to soreness, stiffness and a general sense of physical wear.
Athletes in the survey reported that CBD felt helpful in reducing pain from training and supporting recovery afterwards. It’s important to be clear here: this does not mean CBD treats injuries or replaces medical care. Rather, it reflects how athletes perceive their bodies responding when CBD is part of their routine.
Interestingly, athletes did not generally report improved performance or competitiveness. This reinforces the idea that CBD is not being used as a shortcut or enhancer, but as a recovery aid.
Relaxation and Switching Off
Recovery isn’t only physical. Mental load plays a role too.
Elite athletes often describe difficulty switching off, especially during competition periods. Constant focus, pressure and adrenaline can make it hard to relax, even when the body is exhausted.
Many CBD users in the study associated it with increased relaxation. This might explain why most athletes reported using CBD in the evening or after training, rather than before exercise.
In everyday life, the same principle applies. Busy schedules, stress and screen time can keep the nervous system in a constant state of alert. Anything that supports a calmer transition into rest becomes appealing.
What CBD Did Not Seem to Do
One of the most reassuring findings from the study is what athletes didn’t report.
CBD was not commonly associated with better focus, improved physical performance or a competitive edge. In fact, many athletes explicitly disagreed with those ideas.
This matters because it pushes back against exaggerated claims. CBD is not a stimulant. It’s not a performance enhancer. And it doesn’t replace training, nutrition or recovery strategies.
Instead, its perceived role sits quietly in the background – supporting rest, comfort and balance.
How Athletes Actually Use CBD
The study also sheds light on real-world use.
Most athletes consumed CBD as a CBD oil or tincture, taken orally. Doses were generally low, and many athletes admitted they weren’t entirely sure how much they were taking. Trial and error was common.
Timing mattered too. CBD was most often used in the evening or after training, rather than before workouts or competition.
This reflects a broader reality: CBD use is still largely self-directed. People experiment, adjust and respond to how they feel. That’s one reason why education and transparency are so important in this space.
Where Information Comes From – and Why That Matters
Perhaps one of the most striking findings was where athletes got their information.
Friends and the internet were the most common sources. Healthcare professionals were consulted far less often.
This creates room for confusion. Online content about CBD ranges from helpful to wildly misleading. Without clear guidance, expectations can easily drift into unrealistic territory.
For everyday users, this highlights the value of reliable, evidence-informed education – and of approaching CBD with curiosity rather than certainty.
Safety, Quality and the Importance of Choosing Carefully
While CBD itself is permitted for athletes, product quality remains a concern.
Some CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC or other cannabinoids due to poor manufacturing controls. For elite athletes, this carries a risk of anti-doping violations. For the general public, it raises questions about consistency, labelling and trust.
This is why third-party testing, transparent sourcing and clear product information matter. Not all CBD products are created equal, and choosing responsibly is part of using CBD responsibly.
What This Means Beyond Elite Sport
You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to recognise the themes in this study.
Poor sleep, physical tension and difficulty relaxing are common experiences – whether you’re training regularly, working long hours, or simply navigating everyday stress.
The athletes’ experiences don’t prove that CBD will work for everyone. But they do suggest that CBD may have a place as a supportive tool for people looking to care for their recovery, rest and overall balance.
Used thoughtfully, CBD fits into a broader picture that includes movement, nutrition, rest and self-awareness.
Final Thoughts: CBD as Support, Not a Solution
The growing interest in CBD among elite athletes isn’t about chasing performance gains. It’s about supporting recovery where recovery matters most.
Sleep. Relaxation. Managing the physical demands of training. These are human needs, not elite ones.
CBD isn’t a cure, a treatment or a miracle compound. But when approached with realistic expectations and good information, it may offer gentle, plant-based support for people looking to recover better and feel more balanced in their daily lives.
Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!
Sources
[1] Karam D, Sesbreno E, Drager K, Boegman S, Duncan LR, Jensen D, Churchward-Venne TA. Cannabidiol use among elite-level Canadian athletes: the pursuit of improved sleep, pain relief, and enhanced recovery. Front Nutr. 2025 Dec 5;12:1711773.
