Ask Dr. Greg is where renowned health and wellness expert Dr. Gregory Charlop answers athlete's questions about diet, nutrition, sleep, supplements, mental health, and more. Dr. Greg improves the lives of athletes
with high-performance wellness solutions.
Your privacy is protected and his advice is free to all.
Can cannabis help improve my sleep?
Q: Dear Dr. Greg,
I’m having a hard time sleeping, and I wonder if cannabis might help. It takes me a while to fall asleep, and I wake up too often at night. During my playing years (I’m a former pro baseball player), coach stressed the importance of sleep. Now that I’m retired from sports, I want to protect my health and straighten out my rest. What’s your advice?
Jeff | Retired MLB
A: Dear Jeff,
I’m thrilled that you want to improve your sleep. Along with proper diet and exercise, high-quality sleep is essential to keep your body strong and mind sharp. We have some interesting new information about cannabis and sleep.
Tired during the day with sleep issues
Q: Dear Dr. Greg,
I feel tired a lot during the day and my partner tells me that I snore. What can I do to feel better?
Fred
A: Dear Fred,
If you snore at night and feel tired during the day, you might have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When you have OSA, the back of your throat partly closes up when you're trying to breathe at night…
Should I try CBD for pain?
Q: Dear Dr. Greg,
Since retiring from football, I have a lot of aches and pains. I don’t want to take narcotics, and too much ibuprofen is bad for my stomach. Some of my friends told me to take CBD. Should I try it for pain?
Joe | NFL
A: Dear Joe,
Pain and arthritis are common problems for athletes. Many retired football, hockey, and basketball players deal with pain every day. Surprisingly, CBD may hold the key to treating your pain…
Managing anxiety through social isolation
Q: Dear Dr. Greg,
Social distancing has me feeling sad and anxious. It's a strange feeling for someone who used to play football. What should I do?
Bob | NFL
A: Dear Bob,
Isolation hits athletes especially hard. Players enjoy being part of a team, and your teammates and coaches are your support systems. Take them away, and it is natural to feel anxious…
Sex drive isn’t what it used to be
Q: Dear Dr. Greg,
I'm a retired athlete in my 40s, and my sex drive isn't what it used to be. Is that normal?
Frank | NBA
A: Dear Frank,
My patients ask me about sex all the time. Men have trouble with erections, and women often struggle with vaginal dryness or the inability to have an orgasm. Both sexes report that they have less desire for sex…