Weed Wins: How Marijuana Eases Pain for NCAA Athletes, According to Groundbreaking Research

The world of college sports is no stranger to grit, grind, and the inevitable grind of physical pain. For NCAA athletes, pushing their bodies to the limit is part of the game—whether it’s a sprinter tearing down the track, a linebacker taking a hit, or a basketball player logging endless hours on the court. Pain is a constant companion, often managed with ice packs, over-the-counter meds, or, in more severe cases, prescription opioids. But a groundbreaking shift is underway, one that’s turning heads and challenging old norms: marijuana is stepping into the spotlight as a game-changer for pain relief. Recent research is showing that marijuana eases pain in ways that could redefine recovery for these young athletes, and the NCAA is finally catching up to the science.

Imagine an athlete, muscles screaming after a grueling practice, reaching not for a pill bottle but for a cannabis tincture. It’s not as far-fetched as it once seemed. In 2024, the NCAA made a historic move, removing marijuana from its banned substances list for Division I players. This wasn’t a random whim—it was a nod to mounting evidence that cannabis isn’t the performance-enhancing villain it was once painted to be. Instead, it’s proving to be a powerful ally in the fight against pain, a fact underscored by studies that are rewriting the playbook for athlete wellness.

The Science Behind the Relief

Let’s dive into the research that’s got everyone talking. A recent presentation by Aquriya Muller, a master’s student at Jacksonville State University, pulled together data from multiple studies and dropped a bombshell: marijuana eases pain with impressive efficacy among NCAA athletes. The paper highlights how cannabis can improve tissue oxygenation, reduce muscle spasms, and—most crucially—enhance pain management. This isn’t just locker-room chatter; it’s science backed by real-world observations.

Take the Athlete PEACE Survey from 2019, conducted by epidemiologist and former Olympic triathlete Joanna Zeiger. Surveying over 1,200 athletes, it found that 26% of NCAA student-athletes reported using cannabis in 2023, with many citing pain relief as a primary reason. The survey revealed that weed eases pain not just by dulling it but by making it feel less unpleasant—a subtle but profound distinction. Athletes reported better sleep, reduced inflammation, and an overall boost in recovery, all thanks to the plant’s active compounds: THC and CBD.

THC, the psychoactive component, and CBD, its non-intoxicating counterpart, work together like a dynamic duo. THC tackles pain head-on, while CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe the body without the high. Research from the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) at UC San Diego adds weight to this, showing a “therapeutic window” where low doses of THC reduce pain effectively, while higher doses might amplify it. For NCAA athletes, finding that sweet spot could mean the difference between a sidelined season and a triumphant comeback.

A Shift in the Game Plan

The NCAA’s decision to ditch its cannabis ban wasn’t just about science—it was a cultural tipping point. For years, athletes faced harsh penalties for testing positive, with some losing an entire season of eligibility over a single joint. But as public perception shifted—91% of U.S. adults now support some form of marijuana legalization, per a 2021 Pew survey—the old rules started to feel like relics. Josh Whitman, chair of the NCAA’s Division I Council, put it bluntly: “Cannabis products do not provide a competitive advantage.” The focus, he said, is now on health and well-being, not punishment.

This pivot aligns with what athletes have been saying all along. In the 2023 NCAA Student-Athlete Substance Use Survey, cannabis use ticked up to 26%, outpacing narcotic painkillers, which dropped to just 6%. Of those using weed, 17% did so for medical reasons, with 37% noting it helped with anxiety and 38% crediting it for better sleep—all factors that tie directly into pain management. It’s clear that cannabis eases pain in ways that go beyond the physical, offering a holistic boost that pills can’t match.

Compare that to opioids, which have long been the go-to for sports injuries. While effective, they come with a dark side: addiction risk, tolerance buildup, and a laundry list of side effects. Marijuana, by contrast, offers a natural alternative with a lower risk profile. Studies suggest that when CBD and THC team up, they widen the therapeutic window, reducing adverse effects while maximizing relief—a combo that’s hard to beat for an athlete nursing a sprained ankle or a bruised ego.

Real Stories, Real Impact

The stats are compelling, but the stories bring it home. Picture a college runner, like those studied at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2024. Researchers there found that runners who used cannabis before a treadmill session reported greater enjoyment and a more intense “runner’s high.” CBD users, in particular, felt the mood boost without the sluggishness THC can bring. For NCAA athletes juggling brutal schedules, that kind of mental lift could be a lifeline.

Or consider Treyous Jerrells, a former Colorado State running back who told The Coloradoan he couldn’t play without smoking. After knee surgery, he swapped ibuprofen—which he said was “eating his liver away”—for marijuana. “I practiced under the influence. I played games under the influence,” he admitted. “This is my medicine.” His story echoes what 80% of NFL players might be doing, according to ex-player Eugene Monroe, hinting that NCAA athletes aren’t alone in this trend.

Even beyond pain, cannabis is showing versatility. For fibromyalgia sufferers—a condition some athletes battle—marijuana eased stiffness and enhanced relaxation, per Muller’s review. It’s not hard to see why an NCAA wrestler or gymnast, wracked with chronic soreness, might turn to weed over a prescription pad.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Cannabis use is still a patchwork of legality—federally illegal, yet recreationally legal in 24 states and D.C. by March 2025. NCAA schools in strict states face a tightrope walk, balancing local laws with athlete needs. And while research is promising, it’s not airtight. Response to cannabis varies wildly—genetics, diet, and even the way it’s consumed (smoked, vaped, or ingested) can tweak its effects. Zeiger’s work stresses the need for personalized dosing, a challenge when every athlete’s body is a unique playbook.

Then there’s the performance question. A CU Boulder study found that while weed eases pain and boosts workout vibes, THC-heavy strains might make exercise feel harder, potentially denting performance. For NCAA competitors, where split seconds matter, that’s a wrinkle worth ironing out. CBD alone, though, seems to sidestep this, offering relief without the drag—a finding that could steer future use.

A New Playbook for NCAA Athletes

As the dust settles on the NCAA’s rule change, one thing is clear: marijuana is no longer the bad guy. Groundbreaking research is proving that cannabis eases pain in ways that resonate with athletes’ lived experiences—less reliance on opioids, faster recovery, and a mental edge that keeps them in the game. From the lab to the field, weed is winning over skeptics, one ache at a time.

For NCAA athletes, this could be the dawn of a new era. With 26% already on board and science backing them up, marijuana isn’t just a sideline player—it’s a star in the making. As research digs deeper and policies evolve, the question isn’t whether weed eases pain, but how best to harness it. The playbook is open, and the game is on.

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Reference:

1. Ross, B., Trojian, T., & Cushman, D. (2023). Physician perceptions of cannabidiol (cbd) and cannabis in sports medicine and performance. Translational Sports Medicine, 2023, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8824466

Zeiger, J., Silvers, W., Fleegler, E., & Zeiger, R. (2019). Age related differences in cannabis use and subjective effects in a large population-based survey of adult athletes. Journal of Cannabis Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-019-0006-9