SUPPLEMENT YOUR SPEED
Creatine, sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine and, of course, caffeine. All supplements that have a pretty solid base of evidence behind their use. But what about the new wave of performance-enhancing supplements growing in popularity? Are they grounded in solid science or marketing make-believe? We picked five of the most credible to research, interview, assess and advise. It’s time to look at ketones, collagen, menthol and probiotics in more detail – though let’s start with a few droplets of CBD…
LEGAL HIGH?
CBD OILS INVESTIGATED
“Pain relief and sleep are two mooted reasons to take CBD. We showed that out of 500 rugby league players, 26% of them used it”
In September 2019, USADA banned triathlete Lauren Goss for six months after testing positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive agent found in cannabis. Goss argued that the violation arose from treating an injury with a THC-infused salve. A month later, USA Triathlon announced a four-year partnership with Pure Spectrum, providers of CBD products. CBD is also found in cannabis. “It’s ironic,” says Graeme Close, professor of human physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, “and sums up the uncertainty around cannabinoids as an ergogenic.”
There are around 110 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. All of these are prohibited by WADA except CBD, albeit WADA do warn that “some CBD oils and tinctures extracted from cannabis plants may also contain THC and other cannabinoids that could result in a positive test”. Which, Goss argued, is what happened to her.
But why was
