5 Elite Athletes Who Use CBD for Recovery and Wellness
CBD has emerged as a trusted part of many athletes’ wellness routines, with some of the most recognisable names in sport publicly sharing their personal experiences. As a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp, CBD is legal in the UK when compliant with specific regulations — including containing less than 0.2% THC and being sourced from approved varieties.
From easing post-training tension to promoting a greater sense of calm, these athletes are exploring how CBD can support them through the demands of performance and recovery. Below, we look at five global sports stars who incorporate CBD into their day-to-day routine.
1. Megan Rapinoe – Football (Soccer)
World Cup winner and Olympic champion Megan Rapinoe has shared her experience using CBD to support her wellness routine. Competing at the highest level of sport demands physical recovery and mental resilience, and Rapinoe has highlighted CBD as one of the ways she maintains balance through a demanding training schedule.
While she stops short of making medical claims, Rapinoe has spoken about using CBD to help support her recovery and maintain focus — particularly during periods of intense physical and mental pressure.
2. Mike Tyson – Boxing
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has been vocal about his lifestyle changes post-retirement, and CBD is one of the key tools he uses in his wellness routine. Tyson has described how CBD helps him relax, stay focused, and feel better after years of physical strain in the ring.
Known for his personal transformation, Tyson often attributes CBD as playing a role in how he now maintains his overall wellbeing.
3. Rob Gronkowski – American Football
Three-time Super Bowl winner Rob Gronkowski began using CBD after stepping away from professional football. He has credited CBD with supporting his physical and mental recovery after years of impact and intense performance demands.
Gronk has shared how CBD fits into his post-training routine, particularly in aiding relaxation and keeping him feeling his best without relying on synthetic alternatives.
4. Gabby Douglas – Gymnastics
Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has spoken about her experience using CBD to support her recovery from training and competition. As a high-performance athlete, Douglas has shared that CBD helps her maintain balance and stay focused throughout her wellness journey.
She’s highlighted that recovery goes beyond the physical — and that a natural, calming approach can make all the difference when it comes to long-term performance and wellbeing.
5. Bubba Watson – Golf
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has openly discussed using CBD as part of his lifestyle. He cites the mental demands of professional golf and the travel-heavy schedule as key reasons why he turns to CBD to support relaxation and overall focus.
CBD, for Watson, has become part of his personal wellness routine — helping him stay clear-headed and centred both on and off the course.
CBD and the Everyday Athlete
You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to benefit from a recovery routine that supports your body and mind. For gym-goers, runners, lifters and weekend warriors alike, CBD can offer a natural alternative to help support muscle recovery and promote a calm, balanced post-workout state.
BUDS BALM is made with premium CBD isolate and infused with natural ingredients like shea butter, eucalyptus, and peppermint — ideal for easing tension after physical activity. As a topical solution, it’s a simple, non-ingestible way to incorporate CBD into your recovery without any THC.