3 Benefits Of CBD Oil For MMA Fighters

You’ve probably seen CBD oil posted on your favourite fighters Instagram! But should you take CBD for MMA?

As a fighter, you’re probably no stranger to chronic pains, aches, and injuries – they can be burdensome and debilitating.

For the longest time, we’ve had some practical methods for dealing with recovery, and managing pain. But, because the traditional techniques also carry some significant drawbacks, more and more martial artists have been turning to CBD for answers.

The question is, should you?

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What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a naturally-occurring phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. But, unlike THC (that is also found in cannabis), CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t cause a high after consumption.

Because CBD is non-psychoactive, many people choose to use it for its benefits, as it doesn’t alter our state of mind like marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs do.

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from cannabis and then tempering it with natural oils (typically coconut or hemp). 

Three Impressive Benefits of CBD Oil For MMA Fighters

CBD has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years, and the body of literature is evolving all of the time. Here are three impressive benefits of CBD oil for MMA fighters:

CBD Oil for mma

1. CBD Can Help You Sleep

Most fighters focus on training but often neglect their recovery. Sleep is the most critical aspect of recovery. If you want to recover from demanding MMA workouts, you need to get at least eight hours of sleep per night – preferably more.

CBD oil can help martial artists get to sleep quicker, and stay asleep with less interruptions throughout the night, leaving fighters feeling refreshed and recovered.

2. CBD Makes For a Good Alternative to Opioids

Opioids like oxycontin do an incredible job of helping us deal with pain. But, according to some sources, opioids are responsible for over 40,000 deaths every year in the US alone. What’s more, opioids can lead to dependence, which can wreak havoc on one’s health.

Cannabinoids (and CBD, in particular) aren’t as effective at reducing pain acutely. Still, they can be quite useful for long-term pain management, especially in combination with other medications, and with a far lesser risk of dependence.

3. We Can Use It To Reduce Inflammation For MMA

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) are the go-to choice for many athletes who are looking to reduce inflammation and pain. They are relatively cheap and easy to get. But, they might not be as safe as we once thought.

For one, endurance athletes are advised to avoid NSAIDs because of the increased risk of renal damage. Some research also suggests that NSAIDs can hinder the body’s ability to build muscle. And, perhaps the scariest thing is, frequent use of NSAIDs has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

In recent years, more and more fighters have turned to CBD as an alternative to Anti-inflammatory medicines. Many have found that regular supplementation with CBD has helped them cut down their use of NSAIDs, and some have stopped taking them entirely.

What Is The Best CBD For MMA?

There are loads of high-quality CBD products for MMA.

Below are some of our favourites:

Should I Take CBD For MMA?

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CBD Oil has lots of benefits for martial artists. It can increase recovery and be used as an alternative to certain pain medications.

CBD oil has been studied for its role in easing symptoms of many other common health issues, including depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

As the popularity of CBD for MMA fighters increases, so will the amount of scientific research. Though there is still much to be learned about the efficiency and safety of CBD, current studies suggest CBD provides a safe natural treatment for several health issues that effect MMA Fighters.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about taking CBD Oil for MMA. Don’t for out my Ultimate Supplement Guide for Martial Artists!

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Gareth Davies

I'm a martial arts competitor and enthusiast. Over the last 15 years, I have trained and competed in several martial arts. I live in Manchester U.K working as a strength & conditioning coach when I'm not travelling and exploring martial arts around the world.
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