The Spirit of Sport
Sha-Carri Richardson knew the rules, she broke them anyway. Her experience has become an allegory for cannabis users in the United States. For generations, cannabis was illegal in much of the world, people broke the rules anyway. It took millions of rule breakers to change the rules. It may take one bold woman to change the Olympics.
The prevalence of cannabis stigma in older generations has seeped into policy and legislation at every level of government and authoritative body around the world. Sports is no exception. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, “For something to be added to the Prohibited List, it must meet two of the three inclusion criteria a) it poses a health risk to athletes b) it has the potential to enhance performance and c) it violates the spirit of sport.
"The only unproven and undecided criteria is that cannabis may be considered a performance enhancer"
Ironically, Olympians are allowed to consume alcohol outside of competition as it does not violate “the spirit of sport.” Unlike Cannabis, it is a societal norm accepted by organizing bodies. And only recently did WADA update their rules on alcohol, banning athletes from “drinking beer before tests.” Many substances have also been included on the banned list due to their illegality, however, cannabis is legal and decriminalized in the state of Oregon, where the infraction took place. Recent legalization of cannabis research has not shown any clear signs of health risk to the general public, and it is challenging to see how it may be perceived as a health risk for Sha-Carri given that she is the fastest woman in her sport and undoubtedly healthy. The only unproven and undecided criteria is that cannabis may be considered a performance enhancer, which is in direct conflict with past cannabis propaganda that informed the rules in the first place.
Although the rules on cannabis use are changing for the benefit of the general public, athletes are the last dissidents of cannabis policy. Retired professional athletes were some of the earliest voices to take the risk of speaking out, and providing insight on the benefits of cannabis as a natural health aid at the elite levels. And only in the last two years have professional athletes successfully advocated for the removal of cannabis as a banned substance from their league, and have gone as far as investing their personal wealth in cannabis businesses.
This momentum has not yet found its way to the Olympics. While many have responded to Sha-Carri Richardson’s suspension with “rules are rules,” it has also shown a light on the hypocrisy of Olympic policy. Cannabis has become a part of American commerce, pop-culture, and medicine. Younger generations have not grown up with demonization of cannabis, but only the celebration of it. Making it that much harder for American Olympians to refrain from a plant that helps them be their best selves. Sha-Carri herself said it best, “I am human.”
Cannabis is more than just a plant or a drug, it has been used as a tool of oppression on marginalized and black people by those that get to write the rules. It can not be taken for granted that generation after generation, black athletes have changed the game by being the very best. Not just as athletes, but as people. They create an inflection point in culture by standing for something we all believe in, yet don’t have their courage to fight for it. From Muhhamad Ali and the Vietnam War, to Naomi Osaka and mental health, Sha-Carri Richardson is in prestigious company.
Although we are all saddened that her talent will not be celebrated at the Tokyo Olympics, we hope her very human mistake will result in Sha-Carri being the last Olympian punished for legal cannabis use. Rules are written by people, and it is the people that will rewrite them.
A study titled “Enjoyment as a Predictor of Exercise Habit, Intention to Continue Exercising, and Exercise Frequency” emphasizes the critical role of exercise enjoyment in promoting long-term adherence to fitness routines. It found that when individuals engage in exercise that aligns with their preferred intensity, they experience higher levels of enjoyment, leading to stronger exercise habits, more frequent workouts, and a greater intention to continue exercising.
Enjoyment acts as a motivating factor, reinforcing positive feelings and commitment to regular exercise. Tailoring workouts to match individual preferences for intensity can enhance the pleasure of exercise, ultimately fostering better engagement and sustainability in health club settings.
Another study found that cannabis may be a primary motivator for people to exercise more often because it elevates their enjoyment. This is a key factor for OFFFIELD, as we are endurance athletes in every sense of the word. We’re not just focused on getting to the finish line quicker in our next marathon, but also getting to the finish line way slower when it comes to life.
All of our products are formulated to activate your Endocannabinoid System, responsible for regulating mood during exercise. Our High Performance line of products, including Energy Gummies and Sports Drinks specifically focus on enjoyment as a key contributor to overall performance enhancement.
Have you ever heard of a molecule, Anandamide? It's a special chemical in your body known as the “bliss molecule,” that helps you feel happy and relaxed.
When you run or do lots of exercise, sometimes you get a great feeling afterward or during longer duration training. This is called the Runner's High (you may have noticed we’re obsessed with it). Scientists used to think this was only because of endorphins, which are like natural painkillers. But now they know anandamide, a cannabinoid we produce in our body, is also the primary reason for the effects in both mind and body.
Anandamide works by fitting into receptors throughout your body, kind of like a key fitting into a lock. When this happens, it makes you feel good… real good. Funny enough, these receptors are the same ones that react to the chemicals in cannabis, or phyto-cannabinoids. Although similar, Anandamide is created by your own body.
So next time you're out running and start to feel amazing, you can thank anandamide. And if you want to hit it a little earlier, you can try our products designed to mimic our best buddy Anandamide. You don’t have to thank us, but we do accept compliments.
A groundbreaking new study conducted by researchers at Washington State University has revealed several significant health benefits associated with cannabis use, including a reduced risk of anxiety and obesity, as well as enhanced memory function. The findings, published in *Scientific Reports*, offer fresh insights into how CBG may impact mental and physical health.
Key Findings
1. Reduction in Anxiety:
The study found that individuals who had used cannabis within the past month were 31% less likely to experience anxiety compared to non-users. Participants who consumed cannabis recently showed marked resilience to stress, with significantly lower anxiety levels during the trial. These findings suggest that, particularly CBG, may offer a natural and effective means of managing anxiety without the cognitive impairments often associated with traditional treatments [oai_citation:1,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:2,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]().
2. Lower Risk of Obesity:
Another surprising outcome of the study was the discovery that recent cannabis users were also 31% less likely to be obese. This finding challenges the common stereotype that cannabis use leads to weight gain due to increased appetite or "the munchies." Instead, the study suggests that cannabinoids may influence metabolism, appetite regulation, and energy balance in ways that contribute to a healthier weight profile [oai_citation:3,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:4,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]
3. Enhanced Memory Function:
In addition to reducing anxiety and obesity risk, the study found that CBG may enhance memory, particularly verbal recall. CBG appeared to improve participants' ability to remember and recall information. This finding could have significant implications for those seeking to manage anxiety without sacrificing cognitive function [oai_citation:5,CBG Shows Promise in Reducing Anxiety Without Intoxication - ScienceBlog.com]
Implications and Future Research:
These findings highlight the potential of cannabinoids like CBG in addressing some of the most pressing health concerns today, including anxiety disorders and obesity. As more people seek natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, the role of cannabis in health and wellness continues to expand. However, while these results are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to explore the long-term impacts of cannabis use on mental and physical health.
Future studies will likely focus on the physiological effects of cannabis, such as its impact on heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, as well as its broader implications for cognitive and metabolic health. Additionally, researchers are keen to investigate how different cannabinoids interact and what combinations might offer the most therapeutic benefits.
For those interested in exploring the details, the full study is available here [oai_citation:6,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial].
