Current and former professional athletes in many sports are endorsing the use of cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD.

CBD is one of over 100 different cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Though research on CBD is limited, it does show promise in treating a number of conditions associated with athletic competition, like joint pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness.

CBD has many of the same potential benefits as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but without the psychoactive effects. Based on what we know right now, here’s why athletes from around the sporting world are getting into CBD and what you should know about it.

Research suggests that CBD shows promise to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, which could be useful for athletes participating in intense exercise. While THC can also be used to treat pain, it may cause unwanted side effects and could affect athletic performance.

A 2004 study on lab rats suggests that THC may impair short-term memory, while CBD doesn’t appear to.

And a 2018 reportTrusted Source from the World Health Organization indicates that CBD doesn’t seem to have the potential for misuse or dependence — unlike other pain-relieving substances, like THC and opioids.

In fact, some research suggests CBD could be used as a way to treat addiction to opioids and other substances with risks of dependence.

Among some medical circles, there’s controversy over CBD’s “nonpsychoactive” label, since it does technically act on the same cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain as THC.

But because CBD works differently on those receptors, the effects are different, and it won’t get you high.

Some people experience side effects from CBD, but they’re relatively limited. According to 2017 research, the most common side effects of CBD use are:

-fatigue

-diarrhea

-changes in weight

-changes in appetite

In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances. However, most major sports leagues and athletic organizations, with the recent exception of Major League Baseball, still prohibit the use of THC.

Taking CBD shouldn’t cause you to test positive for THC, especially if you choose CBD isolate instead of full-spectrum products.

However, there have been some reports of people testing positive for THC after taking CBD, depending on the type of test used. The risk increases if you take CBD from an unreliable source, as it may be contaminated or mislabeled.

If you’re an athlete who has to be drug tested, you may want to avoid taking CBD. If you do choose to take it, read product labels and do your research to be sure you’re getting a high-quality product.

There are still a lot of unknowns about CBD and its impact on athletes, but initial research indicates that it’s at least worth further exploration. Athletes may find it useful for pain.

If you want to try CBD, talk to your doctor before doing so, especially if you’re taking any medications. Start with a low dose and see how your body responds before taking more.