NFL Invests Over $500K In CBD Research As Opioid Alternative For Concussion Relief

The National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) will invest in the research of cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative pain treatment for players suffering from concussions.

“Continuing the commitment to providing the best care for players, the @NFL and @NFLPA
have jointly awarded $526,525 in grants to researchers with @ASPN_PainNeuro and @emoryhealthcare to study alternative pain management methods, including CBD,” the NFL tweeted.

See Also: Former NFL Star Says He Walks 35 Miles A Week Thanks To Cannabis - 'I Could Not Do That When I Was Taking 8 Pills A Day'
The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) and Emory University will oversee the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD and non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) in alleviating post-concussion headache pain.

"We are proud to lead the way in investigating how the use of CBD and other alternative measures could positively impact pain management for players," Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, stated. "As within the broader scope of player health and safety, we want to ensure every treatment at our disposal clears the appropriate medical standard for wider use."

Co-chair of the NFL-NFLPA Pain Management Committee, Kevin Hill, conveyed optimism, stating that these studies have the potential to significantly improve pain management for professional football players.

• See Also: NFL Under Pressure To Relax Cannabis Rules, Advocates Are Getting Louder

"It is our hope that these studies will help the players manage the pain that may be a part of professional football," Hill said.

In a progressive move last year, the league authorized $1 million in grants to fund studies focusing on the efficacy of marijuana and its components in pain management and neuroprotection for football players with concussions. Read more here at Marijuana Moment.

Read Next: Medical Marijuana: The NFL Inches Closer To Accepting Cannabis For Safe Pain Relief

Photo: Courtesy Of Dave Adamson On Unsplash