Mixed martial arts (MMA) is probably one of the most exciting and competitive full-contact sports. But like many combative sports, MMA carries high risks of physical injury.
Mixed martial arts injuries generally present as bruises and lacerations to the face and outer extremities. Players can suffer these injuries while training or during the actual fights.
For professional mixed martial artists, physical injuries can have far-reaching implications. For starters, the resultant pain and inflammation could force you to miss out on essential fights.
Worse yet, repeated injuries to the head could affect your mental focus, hand-eye coordination, cognitive skills, and overall mental health.
Not only can a deterioration in any of these parameters deal a massive blow to your performance in the ring. It can also bring down your overall productivity and general state of health.
What if there was a way to mediate the pain and inflammation resulting from MMA injuries? Well, now there is, thanks to CBD.
What Is CBD & How Does It Help MMA Fighters?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound derived from cannabis, which medical researchers believe may relieve various illnesses. CBD is often contrasted with another popular marijuana extract, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main compound in weed that induces euphoria. On the other hand, CBD is neither psychotropic nor intoxicating. That explains the compound’s popularity in the health, fitness, and sports industries.
But as a mixed martial artist, there are several things to know before integrating cannabidiol into your lifestyle.
One of the most important things to remember is that all CBD products are not made equal. You can only enjoy CBD’s therapeutic benefits if you invest in CBD gummies, yellow vein kratom strain or some other high-quality cannabidiol products by reputable brands.
One way to establish the quality of CBD goods is to insist on products formulated with CBD obtained by the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extraction method. According to experts, CBD obtained by the CO2 Extraction method tends to be purer and more potent.
It’s also advisable to check for proof of testing by third-party laboratories. These reports usually contain the potency of CBD in a product and the number and ratio of other active ingredients in these products.
The following are the health benefits of CBD for MMA fighters.
CBD May Alleviate Pain
Pain is the most common medical issue that marijuana doctors prescribe cannabidiol for. And as we already indicated, pain is also inseparable from mixed martial arts.
CBD may combat MMA pain by boosting the body’s natural pain mediation processes. These processes typically happen in the endocannabinoid system and involve receptors known as endocannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids.
One way CBD may mediate pain is by stimulating pain-signaling receptors like vanilloid receptors.
CBD may also exert its analgesic effects by increasing anandamide signaling.
Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that plays an instrumental role in mediating pain and inflammation. CBD can boost anandamide signaling by inhibiting the enzymes that degrade this endocannabinoid, such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
CBD Can Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is another major MMA-related health concern that you can address using cannabidiol.
CBD may alleviate inflammation by blocking the body’s inflammatory messenger activity.
The compound has been shown to deactivate cytokines, compounds responsible for relaying inflammatory messages.
CBD can also be a potent vasodilator and can enhance blood circulation. Increased blood flow ensures that more oxygenated blood and essential nutrients get to the inflamed muscles, a process that can ease inflammation.
CBD May Escalate Muscle Recovery
Aching muscles are a leading cause of workout downtimes. For MMA fighters, it means losing out on essential training sessions. Or worse yet, missing a crucial match.
Fortunately, cannabidiol can escalate muscle recovery and get you up on your feet much faster. CBD may primarily speed up muscle recovery through its anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have shown that supplementing with cannabidiol may relieve the delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is excruciating pain felt in the muscles between one and three days following strenuous workouts.
CBD May Boost Sleep
After a long day spent in the ring or the gym, an MMA fighter needs hours of restful sleep. Sleep ensures that your body heals and repairs itself.
But getting quality sleep is a significant challenge for mixed martial artists. Common causes of insomnia among MMA fighters include anxiety and pain.
Cannabidiol can boost sleep by relieving various anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Less anxiety also translates to heightened mental focus and improved hand-eye coordination.
Another way CBD may improve sleep quality is by reducing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The compound is also a powerful sedative and may combat insomnia by shortening sleep onset time.
Besides CBD’s health benefits for MMA fighters, it’s also worth noting that the UFC no longer lists CBD in its list of banned substances.
According to the organization’s new anti-doping policies, mixed martial artists should only ensure that their CBD products contain the legally required amount of THC (0.3%).
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CBD contains numerous therapeutic properties that mixed martial artists can benefit from. The compound can alleviate some of MMA’s most bothersome side effects, such as pain, inflammation, insomnia, and anxiety.
However, note that CBD remains illegal in numerous countries around the world. So, always establish your local cannabidiol laws before incorporating CBD into your health and fitness routine.
