Clinical Takeaway
Daily use of a broad-spectrum CBD supplement containing trace amounts of other cannabinoids can result in urine concentrations of WADA-prohibited substances such as CBG and CBDV, potentially placing athletes at risk for a positive doping test. Exercise appears to amplify this effect, likely by mobilizing cannabinoids stored in fat tissue into circulation. Athletes using broad-spectrum CBD products should be aware that “CBD-only” labeling does not guarantee a clean drug test under anti-doping regulations.
#18 Daily Use of a Broad-Spectrum Cannabidiol Supplement Produces Detectable Concentrations of Cannabinoids in Urine Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency: An Effect Amplified by Exercise.
Citation: Gillham Scott H et al.. Daily Use of a Broad-Spectrum Cannabidiol Supplement Produces Detectable Concentrations of Cannabinoids in Urine Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency: An Effect Amplified by Exercise.. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2026. PMID: 40920736.
Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 1 Recency: 3 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: -2
This study demonstrates that broad-spectrum CBD supplements commonly used by athletes for recovery contain prohibited cannabinoids that accumulate to detectable urinary levels, creating unintended doping violations despite the athlete’s legal use of a non-prohibited product. The finding that exercise amplifies urinary cannabinoid concentrations establishes a mechanistic pathway through which athletes could inadvertently test positive for WADA-banned substances, necessitating clearer labeling standards and athlete education regarding “broad-spectrum” versus pure CBD formulations. Clinically, this highlights a critical gap between the regulatory status of marketed CBD products and anti-doping protocols that could affect athletic clearance and requires standardized testing procedures to distinguish intentional use from
Quality Gate Alerts:
- Preclinical only
Methodological Considerations:
- Small sample — underpowered for subgroup analysis
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid, is used by athletes to enhance recovery and manage other conditions (e.g., poor sleep, anxiety). Although CBD is not prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), other cannabinoids found in “broad-spectrum” CBD products (e.g., cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidivarin (CBDV)), remain prohibited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether 10-wk use of a broad-spectrum CBD product (150 mg·day -1 (containing trace concentrations of CBG)) could lead to detectable concentrations of prohibited cannabinoids in urine and plasma. The influence of moderate-intensity exercise was also assessed. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy individuals (47% male) self-administered either a broad-spectrum CBD product ( n = 31, CBD) or a visually identical placebo ( n = 5, PLA) for 10 wk. After 10 wk, participants completed a fasted, 90-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise (55% V̇O 2peak ). Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline (presupplementation) and pre- and postexercise. RESULTS: No cannabinoids or metabolites were detected at baseline in either the PLA or CBD group. Following 10 wk of supplementation, urinary concentrations of CBD and its metabolites (6-OH-CBD, 7-COOH-CBD, 7-OH-CBD) were present. CBG and CBDV were also detected in 42% and 68% of preexercise samples, respectively. Urinary concentrations of 6-OH-CBD ( P = 0.006), 7-OH-CBD ( P = 0.009), CBD ( P = 0.043), CBG ( P = 0.0023), and CBDV ( P = 0.033) also increased from pre- to postexercise. CBG and CBDV were detected in 74% and 84% of postexercise samples, respectively. Concentrations of ∆ 9 -THC or its metabolites (11-OH-THC, 11-COOH-THC) were not present at any timepoint. CONCLUSIONS: Daily use of a broad-spectrum CBD supplement resulted in detectable urinary concentrations of WADA-prohibited cannabinoids in urine. Exercise appeared to increase concentrations of these cannabinoids. Therefore, athletes should avoid consuming broad-spectrum CBD
? This study reveals an important gap between product labeling and actual cannabinoid content in broad-spectrum CBD supplements, demonstrating that athletes and patients using these products can accumulate detectable levels of WADA-prohibited cannabinoids like CBG and CBDV in their urine, particularly when combined with exercise. While the study focuses on athletic populations, the findings have broader clinical relevance for any patient using CBD products, especially those undergoing drug screening for employment, legal, or medical purposes. The key confounding variables include product variability across manufacturers, individual differences in cannabinoid metabolism and excretion, and the compounding effect of exercise on urinary concentration. Healthcare providers should counsel patients that “broad-spectrum” CBD products are not equivalent to CBD isolates, and that even supplements marketed as non-prohibited may contain trace cannabinoids capable of producing positive drug tests. Before recommending CBD supplements to patients, particularly athletes or those subject to drug screening, clinicians should verify product composition through third-party lab testing and explicitly discuss potential testing
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