Hulk Hogan, 70, swaps opioids and alcohol for CBD

Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, is quitting painkillers and alcohol and trading both for CBD, which is being investigated for its role in fighting addiction. He revealed the switch in a candid interview with Muscle and Health magazine.

A professional wrestling legend, Hogan underwent about 25 surgeries over the course of his career and was doused on doctor-prescribed opioids in the process. But Hogan said he continued to take the opioids long after the physical pain went away.

Now at the age of 70, he revealed that a combination of opioids and alcohol meant a decade-long relationship with addiction. Getting sober meant giving up vices that felt destructive. Muscle and Health Editor-in-Chief Danni Levy sat down with the wrestling icon to discuss various topics.

“I practiced drinking a lot because I wrestled for about forty years, so these guys have a beer every once in a while,” he told Muscle and Health. “But about seven months ago I decided to stop drinking alcohol. I was at a New Year’s Eve party and saw a lot of things I neither approved nor liked. I saw myself in that environment and thought, “You know what? I don’t know how I got here, but I’m done.’ It was just this one thing.”

That’s when he realized it was something negative that he didn’t want. Since he was around people who believed and behaved differently than he did, he decided he wanted out. And he says it feels a lot better to have a clear head and that he’s no longer tempted to drink alcohol.

Hogan explained that getting sober meant losing some friends and gaining others. “Some wrestlers have looked me in the face and said, ‘If you don’t drink with me, you’re not my friend,'” Hogan said. “Well, I’m your friend, but I won’t drink with you. What are you going to do about it?”

Some consider the 1980s to be the glory days when American professional wrestling was at its peak. In the October 1981 issue of The High Times, author Chester Patton covered the history of American professional wrestling, from Clarence “the Kansas Demon” to “Animal” Steele, the turnbuckle eater. Wrestling led to blockbuster cameos and more for Hogan.

As with other high-impact sports, wrestling injuries lead to surgery and pain medication as a result. Opioids proved just as devastating, leading to another dilemma. “Doctors wrote me prescription after prescription, and suddenly it became a vicious circle,” Hogan added. “I had to take the pain pills hard because I had to endure twenty-five surgeries, including ten on the back, facial surgeries for kicking, knee and hip replacements, and abdominal and shoulder surgeries.”

Most recently, the wrestling legend opened up about Hogan’s Hangout, a restaurant he recently opened in Clearwater, Florida.

Replace addiction with CBD

Hogan mentioned last May that he’s had success with CBD and plans to launch his own brand. He said it was another wrestling legend that actually introduced him to CBD. Wrestling icon Ric Flair launched a cannabis line, Ric Flair Drip, with Carma Holdings Founder and President Chad Bronstein.

“Ric Flair, Mike Tyson, and Carma Holdings Founder and President Chad Bronstein introduced me to CBD,” he reveals. These three came at me like The Royal Rumble. I didn’t stand a chance.”

Hogan may be onto something: CBD may help reduce cravings for tobacco and heroin under certain conditions, which is supported by human research, wrote Harvard Medical School’s Peter Grinspoon. Animal studies also suggest that it may also help reduce cravings for alcohol, cannabis, opiates and stimulants.

“At first I was confused because I had never used CBD before,” Hogan said. “I didn’t understand what it could do for health when it comes to energy, sleep, or slowly coming off hard drugs or medication and relaxing. It took me a while to figure it out because I’m a bit slow. I had to do a lot of research and do my due diligence. I thought this would be something that would really benefit a lot of people who needed help – and I know it will.”

Hogan also detailed how CBD specifically replaced opioids.

“We found that CBD is a logical alternative to prescription drugs that helps people switch off more slowly,” says Hogan. “I’m really focused on helping people with their health, whether they’re veterans of war, hardcore drug users, or people who have fallen into the prescription trap because of an illness or fear. CBD is great for sleep and can also help overcome alcohol abuse.”

Hogan’s Immortal brand will be available soon and will include vapes, cartridges, pre-rolls and more.

CBD is showing promise for treating addiction, reducing inflammation, and a handful of other benefits as researchers continue to back it up with scientific evidence.