Neurology in the Media

NFL Player Donates to Studies Investigating Cannabinoids for Pain and CTE

NFL player Eugene Monroe has donated $80,000 to researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania to examine the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid therapies on current and former players. The effort is part of the “When the Bright Lights Fade” campaign, sponsored by The Realm of Caring and CW Botanicals, which aims to endow a series of pilot studies to explore the impact of cannabinoids therapies for chronic pain and CTE. Mr. Monroe’s donation will help fund two studies; the first will follow current players through a season and evaluate substance use of all types, injuries, recoveries, and other health-related issues, and the other will be an in-depth survey of former players to evaluate health and quality of life. The NFL has strict anti-cannabis policies, and Mr. Monroe is the first active player to call on the organization to remove marijuana from the banned substances list. He also stressed the need for more funding for medical marijuana research (especially as it relates to CTE) and urged physicians to stop overprescribing opioids. For more information, visit
https://www.theroc.us/bright-lights.