Hemp and neuroprotection might seem unrelated at first glance, especially since some critics argue that cannabis-related compounds can contribute to mental decline. However, growing research suggests that certain hemp components may actually support brain health, thereby challenging long-held assumptions and opening doors to new therapeutic possibilities. It’s important to clear up a common misconception: hemp isn’t just CBD or THC. It contains over 450 natural compounds that work together like ingredients in a recipe. This synergy drives hemp’s therapeutic potential, including its ability to support brain health and offer neuroprotective benefits. In this article, we examine the neuroprotective potential of hemp and explore how athletes can benefit from its properties.
How Hemp Components Protect the Brain
1. Mitigating Neuroinflammation
Athletes in contact sports such as boxing, hockey, and football frequently sustain repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), which significantly increase the risk of neuroinflammation. In the United States alone, an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur annually, with contact sports accounting for a substantial portion of these injuries.
Repeated mTBIs often trigger chronic neuroinflammation, a condition marked by the sustained activation of microglia and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain. Biomarkers such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) remain elevated even six months after injury in athletes with persistent post-concussive symptoms. Long-term consequences can be severe; post-mortem studies have found that 87% of former NFL players examined showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma.
Cannabinoids offer a promising therapeutic approach to addressing neuroinflammation associated with mild traumatic brain injuries. Through their interaction with multiple receptors including CB2, TRPV1, PPAR-γ, and serotonin receptors, hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBDa, and CBGa help regulate immune responses and inflammatory signaling. This engagement can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β, dampen chronic inflammation, and mitigate glial cell activation.
2. Regulating Cortisol levels
Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, regulates inflammation, metabolism, and the sleep-wake cycle. However, when the body produces cortisol at elevated levels over time due to repeated trauma, chronic stress, or inadequate recovery, it disrupts immune balance, impairs cognition, and fuels neuroinflammation. Athletes with persistent post-concussive symptoms often show chronically high cortisol levels, which can delay healing and increase the risk of further injury.
Hemp-derived cannabinoids play a key role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs the body’s stress response and cortisol production. By stabilizing cortisol levels, cannabinoids reduce stress-induced inflammation and create a more favorable environment for brain recovery and immune regulation.
CBD, one of the most well-studied cannabinoids, helps lower cortisol levels by interacting with glucocorticoid receptors and modulating the HPA axis, thereby reducing physiological stress. In both human and animal studies, CBD has shown the ability to blunt cortisol spikes associated with anxiety, sleep disturbances, and trauma.
CBDa and CBG enhance serotonin (5-HT1A) and GABA-A receptor activity, promoting relaxation, emotional stability, and improved stress resilience. CBGa, the acidic precursor to CBG, may further support these effects by influencing neurotransmitter production and inflammatory pathways linked to chronic stress. Early research also suggests that CBC (cannabichromene) and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) may modulate mood and cortisol indirectly through interaction with endocannabinoid and dopaminergic systems.
3. Reducing oxidative damage
Oxidative stress happens when the body produces more harmful molecules (called free radicals) than it can neutralize with antioxidants. This imbalance can damage cells, including those in the brain, and is a major contributor to inflammation, aging, and injury-related decline. For athletes, especially those exposed to intense physical strain, repeated head trauma, or chronic stress, oxidative stress can build up quickly and interfere with recovery, performance, and long-term brain health.
Hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD and CBG have strong antioxidant properties, which help the body fight free radicals and reduce oxidative damage. Studies show that CBD can protect brain cells from oxidative stress by stabilizing mitochondrial function and supporting the body’s natural defense systems. CBG also plays a role by preventing inflammation triggered by oxidative imbalance. This helps athletes recover faster, protect cognitive function while maintaining peak performance.
4. Promoting neurogenesis
Hemp promotes the growth and development of new neurons (neurogenesis), primarily through its cannabinoids such as CBD, CBGa, CBG and CBDa, which interact with the endocannabinoid system. These compounds influence CB1 and CB2 receptors, indirectly supporting brain plasticity, reducing inflammation, and encouraging the regeneration of neural tissue. CBD, in particular, has been shown to elevate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule that supports neurogenesis. This is especially beneficial for athletes. Repeated head impacts, stress, and intense physical exertion can strain the nervous system and impair cognitive function over time. By enhancing neurogenesis, hemp may help repair damaged neurons, support memory and learning, and protect against neurodegenerative conditions.
Pitfalls To Using Hemp For Neuroprotection: While hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD and CBG show strong promise for neuroprotection, there are important limitations to consider. One major issue is the lack of standardization across products. Many hemp extracts differ in potency, purity, and cannabinoid content, making it hard to guarantee consistent results. Additionally, while early studies are encouraging, human research remains limited, and more clinical trials are needed to fully understand the long-term effects and ideal dosing strategies. Dosing itself can be tricky, as individual responses vary based on factors like weight, metabolism, and the type of injury or condition being treated. Another concern is drug interactions. CBD, for example, can affect how the body processes other medications by interfering with liver enzymes. Lastly, legal and regulatory inconsistencies can impact product quality and access, especially across different countries or states. While hemp is a powerful natural tool, careful use, guidance, and continued research are essential for safe and effective neuroprotection.
Daniel Gana
Sports Cannabis Contributing Writer| Senior Content Writer BioSource Botanicals| Microbiologist| Cannabis Copywriter Writer and Content Strategist| Speaker at the 2022 Emerald Conference
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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