The NFL is granting $1 million for research to two groups of medical researchers to investigate the impact of cannabinoids on pain relief and neuroprotection for concussions, as reported by ESPN. The selection out of 106 proposals by the NFL was The medical teams from the University of California San Diego and the University of Regina in Canada.
“We’re continuously focused on enhancing our methods and treatment for both short-term and long-term pain management in NFL players. Our utmost priority is to ensure that our players consistently receive the latest medical consensus available. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s top medical official, expressed this viewpoint during an interview with The Associated Press regarding these treatments. “Therefore, we have a stringent standard of evidence for NFL players. Every time we contemplate adopting a novel therapy approach assessing how it may influence individuals’ well being and performance becomes imperative. Despite widespread interest in marijuanas efficacy for addressing acute and chronic pain through CBD usage. Thorough empirical evidence supporting its benefits remains limited. Consequently our aspiration was driven by an earnest desire to enrich the existing scientific literature concerning this subject matter.
The NFL has optimistic hopes going forward
The director of addiction at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr.Kevin Hill explains why there hasn’t been much research on the topic. Not to mention, Dr.Hill is a preeminent cannabis researcher and author. He’s also the co-chair of the NFL-NFLPA Joint Pain Management Committee.
“The difficulty in conducting this research is partly due to the DEA’s classification of cannabis, but the primary reason is the lack of interest from stakeholders in advancing scientific knowledge,” explained Hill in the interview with the AP. “Certain states and companies are profiting from the sale of cannabis and CBD products without feeling the necessity to establish their effectiveness, while millions of people are already using them. This puts healthcare professionals and organizations concerned about the well-being of the public in a challenging situation.”
“We genuinely want to understand if they are effective. I regularly interact with patients who express interest in cannabinoids. The truth is, we lack definitive answers to these inquiries. Consequently, it leads to a complex deliberation on weighing risks against benefits. Hence, I’m incredibly excited to be involved in an initiative that aims to uncover some of the answers we have been discussing for years.”
Details of the research
The one million dollar research grant is a progressive move to better understand and improve the pain management of their current players. Numerous NFL players have expressed interest in the advantages of cannabis and cannabinoids. Many former players are becoming more and more involved in the medical cannabis business. They’ve either started their own companies, invested in other companies, or become the ambassadors of these companies.
“We’ve received clear and strong feedback from teams, medical staff, and players indicating their interest in cannabis and cannabinoids. Therefore, we aimed to promote scientific advancements in this field, enabling us to engage in more informed discussions with them,” stated Hill.
“I want to highlight that this is just the initial stage. The NFL has conducted extensive research in various fields such as concussions and musculoskeletal injuries.” We are not solely focused on cannabinoids; our scope extends to exploring more effective pain treatments. Therefore, we will utilize this opportunity to assess and enhance our approach, all while prioritizing the advancement of scientific knowledge for the well-being and safety of the players.
