CBD (Cannabidiol) massage oils are not a novel product to the cosmetic market, many companies currently already market CBD oils and most are readily available to the average consumer. In a narrative review written in 2020; pre-clinical evidence pointed to CBD as a robust anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and analgesic molecule in animal models alongside a well-documented anxiolytic effect through 5-HT1A 1, 2 . The knowledge of the physiochemical mechanisms of CBDs impact on skeletal muscles is limited, but small studies have been conducted on human models which point to decreased recovery time after resistantance training and a reduction in myofascial pain. 2, 4 Critically, none of these products seem to be catered to the pro athlete market. This is a major factor, according to the WADA (World Anti-doping association) prohibited list 3 , all synthetic and natural cannabidiols are prohibited, with the single exception of CBD, since 2018. Any massage oil which therefore uses a broad-spectrum hemp oil or cannabis extract, as most do as a marketing point, runs the risk of introducing molecules and subsequent metabolites which could fail a standard drug test. This informs Asterion formulation design to ensure only a pure CBD isolate is used, necessary in a pro athlete environment.
