You wouldn’t know it unless you’re a close MMA supporter, but Cannabis and MMA have enjoyed a close relationship over the years.
MMA has over the last decade become one of the most popular sports in the world, drawing fighters and supporters from all around the world.
How does Cannabis help Fighters?
The physical aspects and violence in MMA take a huge toll on the fighter’s bodies. It isn’t surprising that many fighters are looking at alternatives such as Cannabis to help them recover between fights.
The main cannabinoids found in cannabis THC and CBD are ideal for helping the human body from hard training and trauma which MMA fighters often encounter when they’re in the octagon. Some of the benefits which cannabis offers MMA fighters are anti-inflammation, muscle recovery, sleep assistance, pain relief, joint relief, boost in metabolism, anti-anxiety, and increased focus.
How do FightersConsume Cannabis?
There are a variety of different methods which you can use cannabis. Smoking it, vaping, cannabis oils, cannabis edibles, microdosing cannabis, and topical cannabis ointments and creams. That is what makes cannabis so versatile. It doesn’t matter if you prefer one method over another, there are so many different ways to enjoy the medicinal benefits of Cannabis.
There Are More UFC Fighters Using Cannabis Than Those That Aren’t
UFC legend, MMA enthusiast and comedian Joe Rogan is always happy to talk about one of his passions, Cannabis. “A tremendous amount of UFC fighters smoke pot,” said Rogan and “more UFC fighters smoke pot than don’t smoke pot.” On one of his podcast’s in 2015/2016. Among UFC fighters, the two brothers Nathan and Nick Diaz are well known for their strong stand on Cannabis in MMA.
Recently, during a post-fight press conference, Nate Diaz casually answered questions from reporters while puffing on a CBD vaporizer. When asked about the CBD vaporizer Diaz answered “This is [a vape pen], it’s CBD. It helps with the healing process and inflammation and stuff like that. So, you want to get these for before, after the fight, training. It’ll make your life a better place.”CBD products have been scientifically shown to be an excellent choice for muscle and joint pain, as well as great inflammation. It makes senses that MMA fighters would turn to cannabis products to help with post-fight recovery.
What does the Industry think about it?
Nick Diaz, Nate’s older brother and once Strikeforce champion also enjoys Cannabis. Nick recently spoke about how he utilizes cannabis into his training regime. “I’m definitely going to want to use cannabis. It’s gonna help. I’m trying to stay focused on what I’m doing.” He continued “If I wake up in the morning and feel beat to shit, it’s going to take me forever to wake up, I smoke some weed,and I wake right up. Then I have breakfast,and I go do a workout.” The two Diaz brothers aren’t the only pro-Cannabis MMA fighters.
Eddie Bravo, World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, is also upfront about his use of cannabis during training. “Jiu-Jitsu taught me you could do high-level athletics stoned,” Eddie recently said in an interview. “On Cannabis, I am able to function and let that executive function that ties your shoes like it’s a magic trick do what it does. When you’re high, you rely more on your instinct s,and your body takes over,and you cando amazing things. You don’t think about it; youjust do it—like shredding on guitar. You can’t think about anything while you play. You practice those notes,and after a while, your hands do their magic.”
When UFC President Dana White was asked about cannabis, he was realistic in his answers. “Everybody thinks that if you did this random testing, you’d catch so many guys on Performance enhancing drugs, No, you’d catch more of the guys on Cannabis. That’s where you’d really bust a lot of guys. we’ve got 475 guys under contract, and 400 of them would be out with Cannabis suspensions.”Hopefully, in the future, the USADA will take an educated look at Cannabis and remove it from its banned substances list.
The future of Cannabis and MMA
With the legalization of Cannabis in Canada and other countries following we think cannabis could be allowed and more accepted over the next few years.
Have you tried Cannabis for training recovery? Leave a comment and let us know.
