A golfer whose professional career was nearly ended by multiple sclerosis (MS) has credited the benefits of cannabis oil for bringing him back to the brink of an amazing comeback.

Chris Bibby went from the career high of fourth place at the 1998 Portugal Open on the European Tour, to the depths of contemplating taking his own life on a motorway bridge after the disease left him in constant pain and confined to a wheelchair.

But after discovering the life-changing effects of cannabidiol (CBD), the 42-year-old is now looking forward to a far brighter future and even has ambitions to reignite his competitive playing career.

A European Tour player in 1998-1999, the Bury golfer went into teaching before his diagnosis with MS in 2015 and became head professional at Whitefield Golf Club in 2019.

But soon after he began to experience increasing health issues with excessive inflammation of the joints and muscle spasms which deteriorated so much that he was unable to even walk.

The Bolton News: Chris Bibby

Chris said: “It had got to a stage where it had got really bad. I’m not going to lie – it got to a stage where I said to my wife ‘I think this is it. I can’t even stand on the range and watch people hit balls’. I was just in agony.

“How could I teach if I couldn’t show people?

“But I look back on my darkest time when I was in an electric wheelchair and just wanted to end it all. I took myself down to a motorway bridge, but then realised I couldn’t get out of the chair to get over the barrier.

“Thankfully, I’m a lot more positive about the future now. It has changed my life. In a nutshell, I think Golfer’s CBD has saved my career – 100 per cent.”

CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of 113 cannabinoids identified by scientific research into the cannabis plant.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, and causes the sensation of getting ‘high’ that is often associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive.

This quality makes CBD an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana.

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.

Golfer’s CBD was founded in 2019 as an independent company dedicated to improving professional and amateur golfer’s performance by using CBD.

Chris only started trying the products in December 2020. but has noticed a huge difference already with the joint inflammation reduced significantly, his spasms almost eradicated and psoriasis effectively cleared in the space of a few weeks.

He said: “I heard about it and felt I had nothing to lose. I noticed an improvement within a couple of weeks and now I’m even back running and hitting balls again.

“I know some people will not believe it can make this kind of difference, but it has to me. It’s just helped me in so many different ways.

“There is no new treatment or any other medication or change in lifestyle. It’s this and nothing else.”

Now Chris, who turned professional in 1994 with a handicap of plus-three, is contemplating another tilt at tour golf.

He said: “I’m aiming to compete on the region and possibly some EuroPro events. But my ultimate goal would be to play on the Seniors Tour in eight years’ time.

“This has given me a new lease of life.”

Golfer’s CBD director, Andy Dixon, added: “When you get this sort of response from someone, it is inspiring and makes it all worthwhile. Chris believes we have helped save his career and changed his life in so many ways. We are just delighted we have been able to help him along the road to recovery.”