For the last couple of years, CBD has made a massive buzz in the MMA community. A couple of high-profile fighters, like Nate Diaz, have been very vocal about their CBD use. Diaz, in particular, was seen hitting a CBD vape pen at a press conference.
At the time, CBD was banned for use in all sports as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). But things have changed since then, and WADA has removed CBD from its banned substances list.
CBD is now rife in the MMA community, but why exactly are fighters flocking to it? This guide explains why MMA fighters use CBD and covers the rules surrounding its use in more detail.
What Is CBD and Why Are MMA Fighters Using It?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the active compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants. It has gained much popularity in the last decade or so due to its long list of therapeutic benefits.
It’s non-intoxicating, which means it doesn’t cause a high. Instead, users employ CBD more like a general-purpose supplement, similar to multivitamins. You can take it every day as a way to maintain overall health and wellness.
It may also have a few more specific benefits, particularly for fighters.
Pain Reduction and Muscle Recovery
One of CBD’s most famous applications is as a natural pain reliever. It acts upon a system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in inflammation and pain regulation.
A 2018 review of studies found that cannabidiol can be effective in overall pain management. The studies involved include a variety of different chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
Lots of CBD for sale include topicals with added pain-relieving ingredients. Topicals with added camphor, for example, are ideal for reducing inflammation and lessening pain.
This is key for fighters who often deal with painful injuries. When it comes to CBD for MMA, this is one of the most important uses.
Better Rest and Recovery
Another reason to use CBD for MMA tournaments is its applications for R&R. For one, many people use cannabidiol to help them sleep.
While more research is required on this topic, anecdotal evidence is rife that CBD can lead to better sleep. It’s unclear whether it has a direct effect on sleep or if it helps the user to settle down by removing external stressors like pain and anxiety.
Perhaps more importantly, CBD has a link to brain damage. It’s common for MMA fighters to suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Some preliminary research is ongoing into using cannabinoids for brain injuries, and this is proving crucial in the world of sports. Both MMA fighters and American football players have been interested in these developments.
Anxiety
Pre-fight jitters affect the best of them. Thankfully, CBD can reduce some feelings of anxiety. There is plenty of research in this arena compared to other uses for CBD, which is quite promising.
Anecdotal evidence, too, suggests that CBD can help anxiety. It might also help to calm fighters down after a match.
Is CBD Legal in MMA?
Although CBD for MMA fighters could be beneficial, the more important thing is whether it is legal. Now that it is no longer banned by WADA, each sporting body can decide its own rules on CBD.
CBD is not only legal in MMA, but it’s actively encouraged. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has partnered with a CBD brand called Love Hemp, which now advertises directly through the sport.
The multi-million-dollar deal is likely to bring even more attention to CBD, with more and more fighters using it.
To answer this article’s titular question, CBD products are widely available for use in MMA tournaments.
Using CBD in MMA: Topicals vs. Tinctures
Fighters looking to use CBD have a big choice to make: what product should they use? CBD tinctures are the most common on the market, with brands like PureKana amassing exceptional product ranges that cover all the bases. Their tinctures come in all sorts of flavors and strengths to suit all needs.
Other ingestible products proving popular with fighters are gummies, capsules, and vapes.
However, lots of users prefer to employ CBD in topical form, which means applying it externally to the skin. This method is preferable for those who remain concerned about consuming cannabinoids because topicals only affect the surface level. Nevertheless, they are ideal for pain relief and recovery.
Whatever product you choose, it’s essential to shop with a reputable brand.