Brittney Griner is one of the many athletes who smoke weed to manage their pain sustained from sports injuries. Recently the two-time Olympic Gold medalist has been caught up in a spiral of unfavorable events involving her choice of medication.
Basketball players prioritize solutions for pain above all else. The impact of continuous jumping and sideways movements places a lot of strain on joints and muscles. Many stars turn to natural remedies for relief, with marijuana being the most popular.
For years NBA players have been tapping into the benefits of cannabis to alleviate their pain. Many retired athletes come forward to “tell all” about how marijuana has helped them through the most challenging days.
Some even grow the crops to have an endless supply of healing aid, an excellent way bulk cannabis seeds come in handy (browse this page).
Let’s find out why basketball players like Griner choose to medicate with marijuana despite their challenges.
Marijuana for Pain Management
Unfavorable stigma! It’s the very thing that’s keeping the majority of the human race from choosing marijuana to alleviate pain. Despite all the negativity surrounding cannabis, most athletes who smoke weed will tell you it helps.
Your mindset (and the weed strain) determines how cannabis affects you. If you’re lighting up a joint to get super stoned, that’s what you’ll be. But if you’re consuming marijuana for medical reasons, the outcome is far different.
When the word cannabis surfaces, people instantly think “high.” Thanks to the availability of various strains with different THC and CBD strengths, this isn’t always the case. Some cultivars induce extreme relaxation while others uplift the spirits to new heights.
Back, knee, hip, and joint injuries are among the most common that needs treating when you’re a basketball player. For athletes to perform their best, they need to feel their best. And what better way to do so naturally than with cannabis?
Professional Basketballers and Cannabis?
Research shows that 85% of NBA players use marijuana in some form. Do we see people who can’t dribble a ball perfectly across the court? Do we see disorientated players who can’t collectively calculate their next move?
We see athletes dedicated to the game, their team, friends, family, and fans. Consistent achievers, world champions, gold medalists, and record holders are among the stars who favor cannabis for pain.
Many retired basketball players are coming forward with how marijuana has helped them to manage their pain for years while in the game. According to them, it also significantly improved focus and reduced pre-game jitters.
Basketball players’ most common injuries throughout their sporting career are ankle and knee fractures. A more severe and painful injury is tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL tear).
Many athletes, like Brittney, seek fast and efficient pain relief remedies that help them get back onto the courts faster. Cannabis has been the go-to solution for years, irrespective of the stigma surrounding it.
Basketball players don’t just use it to manage their pain but also to strengthen their endurance as an athlete. It’s just as essential to be mentally fit as it is to be physically fit. Strains that induce relaxation help players with sleepless nights.
Those needing focused energy rely on the cultivars that provide these effects. Sometimes anxiety deters a player’s ability to perform well.
One of the most familiar effects of consuming marijuana is increased appetite. Being hungry from weed is nothing new and a bonus for athletes who seek to double up on healthy foods.
Inhaling or ingesting marijuana stimulates the body’s cannabinoid receptors. As a result, it activates the brain’s reward system, reducing pain levels.
Brittney Griner and other basketball players use cannabis for pain because it:
- Reduces inflammation
- It helps ease tender and sore muscles
- Reduces anxiety levels
- Promotes healthy sleeping patterns
- Treats muscle spasms
- Improves mental awareness
Some basketball players prefer indulging in cannabis edibles with only CBD in them. At the same time, others prefer a hint of THC for a euphoric boost. THC isn’t a destructive element in marijuana; it can enhance CBD’s pain-relieving effects.
How does the NBA feel about it? Unfortunately, for now, it’s still prohibited.
Why is Brittney Griner so important to the world of cannabis and the NBA?
Brittney Griner’s Story
Brittney Griner is a WNBA star who’s recently received the short end of the stick for medicating with marijuana. She was arrested on 17 February 2022 in Russia on drug charges for being in possession of a cannabis oil vape cartridge.
According to reports, her legal team presented solid evidence of medical prescriptions for the use of marijuana. Like many other athletes, Griner believed in using weed to manage her pain sustained from years of playing basketball.
