FITNESS + CANNABIS - RUNNING AWAY FROM NSAIDS

BY ANTONIO DEROSE

This entire issue has focused on several pain conditions cannabis can help with and has referenced many scientific studies suggesting the roles cannabis and other plant medicines can play in pain management. With the widespread legalization of medical and adult use cannabis, as well as other substances worldwide, an evolving global culture of self awareness, and accountability for self-care over healthcare, more people are turning to plants over pills. One of those people is accomplished ultrarunner, author, and speaker, Brock Cannon, who is also the Founder and CEO of Prevail Botanicals, where their mission is “Ridding The World Of Ibuprofen One Human At A Time”

Ibuprofen is one of several drugs, along with others like naproxen and aspirin, that are classified as being NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). NSAIDs are used to reduce pain and inflammation, but they’re also known to cause ulcers and bleeding in the intestines. As an ultra runner, in 2016, Brock was taking 2400mg of ibuprofen a day, to treat his pain and inflammation from trail running long distances, up and down the California mountainside. Even though his daily dosage was so high, including 6 pills in the morning, and 6 six at night, he was still in pain, and didn’t feel like the pharmaceuticals were reducing his inflammation. He was also aware of the dangerous side effects associated with their overuse, so he started exploring safer, natural, plant-based alternatives like arnica, turmeric, and eventually CBD.

“I love any plants with medicinal properties,” says Brock. “If you think about how our ancestors operated even just 100 years ago, we didn’t rely on pharmaceuticals that were created in labs. We relied on plants, botanicals, herbs, and medicines that we had pulled and tested directly from nature. One could argue that pharmaceuticals ultimately come from nature, but I feel like the efficacy changes in a big way once it gets in the lab.” This is the reason he created Prevail Botanicals, to offer people a safer alternative to NSAIDs, by providing a natural plant based treatment for pain and inflammation, especially for runners.

In 2019, Brock won 1st Place overall at the Almost Lost 25k and Whoos Trail 50k, as well as taking 5th overall at the Born to Run 30 Miler and 14th overall at the Leona Divide 100k. In 2020, he will be taking on his very first 100 mile race, the SISU 100 Miler, and he’ll be using his own Prevail Botanicals to help him through it. From all of us at GRAM, we wish you the best of luck and thank you for advocating for natural plant medicines.