Summary
Physical therapists Josh and Brandon conduct a hands-on experiment with CBD oil, each trying it for several days and reporting their honest, mixed results. Josh used a mid-range 23mg sublingual drop at bedtime but noticed no meaningful change in sleep or relaxation. Brandon tried Charlotte's Web at 10mg and actually experienced negative effects including difficulty falling asleep and next-day lethargy that required extra coffee to counteract, leading him to stop after three days. Despite their personal underwhelming experiences, they share a compelling patient story: a man suffering debilitating headaches and concussion symptoms for over a year after a car accident, who was on three medications including two opioids, tried CBD as a last resort and experienced immediate symptom relief, eventually weaning off all medications within six months under physician supervision. They also discuss an athlete who swears by topical CBD for reducing delayed onset muscle soreness. The episode raises important practical considerations including dosing uncertainty (CBD is not FDA regulated, so labeled amounts may not be accurate), the difference between responders and non-responders, the legality of CBD in anti-doping contexts (WADA and USADA allow it but products may contain trace THC), and the concern from the UFC Performance Institute about athletes developing psychological dependence on recovery supplements.
Key Points
- Two physical therapists tried CBD personally with mixed results: one felt nothing, the other experienced unwanted lethargy
- A patient with post-concussion headaches on two opioids found immediate relief with CBD and weaned off all medications within six months
- Dosing is a major variable: CBD is not FDA regulated, so labeled amounts may not match actual content
- CBD is not prohibited by WADA or USADA anti-doping agencies, but products may contain trace THC that could trigger a positive test
- The UFC Performance Institute does not recommend CBD for athletes due to concerns about psychological dependence
- Topical CBD may help with delayed onset muscle soreness, though the massage-like application itself could contribute
- Individual response varies widely: some people are strong responders while others notice nothing
- Both hosts emphasize consulting a physician before trying CBD and treating it as an N-of-1 experiment
Key Moments
CBD proposed benefits include pain relief, anxiety reduction, and neuroprotection
CBD is indicated for pain relief, reducing anxiety and depression, alleviating cancer symptoms, reducing acne, neuroprotective properties, reducing spasticity, and decreasing blood pressure.
"It's meant to relieve pain, reduce anxiety and depression, alleviate cancer-related symptoms. There's something about how it may reduce acne. It may have some neuroprotective properties and could reduce spasticity."
Patient weaned off opioids after trying CBD for post-concussion headaches
A patient who suffered debilitating headaches after a motor vehicle accident and was on three medications including two opioids found immediate symptom relief with CBD and was able to wean off all medications within six months.
"he swears that the first day he tried CBD, it was a last ditch effort. He had immediate symptom relief and he was able to wean himself off those meds under the supervision of his doc within six months."
Concerns about psychological dependence on CBD for athletes
The UFC Performance Institute does not recommend CBD for their athletes primarily because of concerns about psychological dependence, preferring athletes use other recovery methods they can always access.
"Last month when I went to the combat clinic at the UFC performance Institute, there seemed to be a general consensus amongst the coaches and the staff and the researchers that were there. And they did not recommend it for their athletes."
