Maria Beatriz Brisola-Santos1, João Guilherme de Mello E Gallinaro1, Felipe Gil1, Bernardo Sampaio-Junior1,2,3, Matheus Cheibub David Marin1,4, Arthur Guerra de Andrade1,4, Kimber Paschall Richter5, Ira David Glick6, Danilo Antonio Baltieri1,4, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia7,8,9,10. 1. Departament of Neuroscience, Medical School, Fundação do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. ABC Center for Mental Health Studies, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. 3. Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation (SIN), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 4. Interdisciplinary Group for Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 5. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. 6. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. 7. Departament of Neuroscience, Medical School, Fundação do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. jmcmaia2@gmail.com. 8. ABC Center for Mental Health Studies, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. jmcmaia2@gmail.com. 9. Interdisciplinary Group for Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (GREA), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. jmcmaia2@gmail.com. 10. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. jmcmaia2@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite scientific evidence that marijuana impairs performance and mental health, there is evidence that some athletes are at higher risk for use. This review aims to identify possible risk factors associated with marijuana use in athletes. METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed database with the keywords: (marijuana OR cannabis OR tetrahydrocannabinol OR delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol OR THC) AND (sports OR sport OR athlete OR athletes). We retrieved 186 studies. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 15 studies remained for review. RESULTS: The review revealed a number of potential risk factors for marijuana use among adult athletes, including being male, Caucasian, using sport performance-enhancing drugs, using marijuana to enhance recreation or non-sport performance, and practicing specific types of sports including skeleton, bobsleding, and ice hockey. Contrary to use patterns in the general population, among athletes marijuana appears to take the place of tobacco as the second most widely used drug, after alcohol. Many elite athletes denied the use of marijuana, which suggests that toxicological testing is an important tool for identifying users, because it is more accurate than self-report. Geography appears important, as in areas of high consumption, prevalence among athletes appears to be greater as well. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Contrary to the image that athletes do not use psychoactive drugs, this review suggests that a number of athletic subgroups are at increased risk for marijuana use. Surprisingly, a common rationale for use appears to be to enhance sports performance. As in the general population, experimentation starts early-in pre-adolescence-at an age that prevention and guidance programs could have positive influences. (Am J Addict 2016;25:518-528).
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite scientific evidence that marijuana impairs performance and mental health, there is evidence that some athletes are at higher risk for use. This review aims to identify possible risk factors associated with marijuana use in athletes. METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed database with the keywords: (marijuana OR cannabis OR tetrahydrocannabinol OR delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol OR THC) AND (sports OR sport OR athlete OR athletes). We retrieved 186 studies. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 15 studies remained for review. RESULTS: The review revealed a number of potential risk factors for marijuana use among adult athletes, including being male, Caucasian, using sport performance-enhancing drugs, using marijuana to enhance recreation or non-sport performance, and practicing specific types of sports including skeleton, bobsleding, and ice hockey. Contrary to use patterns in the general population, among athletes marijuana appears to take the place of tobacco as the second most widely used drug, after alcohol. Many elite athletes denied the use of marijuana, which suggests that toxicological testing is an important tool for identifying users, because it is more accurate than self-report. Geography appears important, as in areas of high consumption, prevalence among athletes appears to be greater as well. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Contrary to the image that athletes do not use psychoactive drugs, this review suggests that a number of athletic subgroups are at increased risk for marijuana use. Surprisingly, a common rationale for use appears to be to enhance sports performance. As in the general population, experimentation starts early-in pre-adolescence-at an age that prevention and guidance programs could have positive influences. (Am J Addict 2016;25:518-528).
Authors: Alexandra M E Zuckermann; Katelyn Battista; Margaret de Groh; Ying Jiang; Scott T Leatherdale Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-03-20 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Jamie F Burr; Christian P Cheung; Andreas M Kasper; Scott H Gillham; Graeme L Close Journal: Sports Med Date: 2021-09-13 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Zachary L Mannes; Deborah S Hasin; Silvia S Martins; Priscila D Gonçalves; Ofir Livne; Lucio G de Oliveira; Arthur G de Andrade; Larkin S McReynolds; David McDuff; Brian Hainline; João M Castaldelli-Maia Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2022 May-Jun