New Research Examines CBD and Athletic Performance

The International Medical Journal published a review on CBD and athletes on September 4, 2026. Although numerous recovery benefits of CBD were described, no increases in performance on the sports field were described.

The paper brought together research from 2021 through 2026. The team searched PubMed and Scopus to examine how CBD might affect athletes during exercise and in the days after a demanding workout.

Some studies reported encouraging recovery results, particularly between 48 and 72 hours after exercise. However, the findings were mixed. Different products, amounts, and schedules produced different outcomes, making it difficult to draw one conclusion that applies to every athlete.

The review also found that product format mattered. Products like capsules taken by mouth or oils placed under the tongue showed promising results. Creams and other topicals did not show similar benefits in the studies examined. Their use did not improve the strength measures reported.

When researchers looked at performance itself, the picture was clearer. CBD did not consistently improve endurance or running efficiency. The available evidence therefore does not support presenting it as a reliable way to achieve better sports results.

CBD “does not directly enhance performance,” the review’s authors wrote.

That distinction matters for readers trying to understand the findings. Recovery between training sessions and performance during a workout are separate questions. A positive result in one area does not automatically mean an athlete will run faster, lift more, or cycle harder.

The authors also pointed to important gaps. Many studies used small groups, and no dosing approach is agreed upon for athletes. More studies are needed before researchers can offer practical guidance.

Interest in CBD among athletes grew after the World Anti-Doping Agency removed it from its prohibited list in 2018. The review notes that social media, marketing and recommendations shared among athletes have also helped drive its popularity.

Yet permission to use CBD does not mean every product is suitable for competitive sport. The authors warn that inaccurate labels and unwanted THC can create problems for athletes subject to testing.

The review adds to an ongoing discussion about CBD and training. It offers reasons to continue studying recovery while showing why claims about better athletic results still need stronger evidence. For now, product quality and research limits remain central to that discussion.