UFC Exec Talks Growing Popularity Of Cannabis Among Fighters

With the recent legalization of Cannabis in Canada, the substance has become a somehow more massive topic in popular conversation. Now UFC vice-president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky has come forward to discuss the substance’s relevance among fighters within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fighters such as UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley regularly flaunt their interest in the substance, as cannabis becomes larger and larger within the UFC.

Cannabis is not a banned substance for out-of-competition. However, UFC competitors must keep the substance out of their systems for in-competition drug testing.

A former federal agent for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jeff Novitzky recently offered his thoughts to CTVNews concerning the substance.

“It’s probably the most-asked question that I get among our roster of fighters. ‘If I’m a regular user of marijuana, how long do I discontinue (use) before my competition to ensure I’m under the (allowed) 150 nanograms (per millilitre)?”‘

“And that is one of the toughest questions I have to answer. I really don’t have a good answer for anybody because each individual varies in terms of how they metabolize things in our systems.”

Discussing the advantages of CBD for professional athletes, Novitzky added “I’d say the overwhelming majority of our fighters use it. (They) express to me that they get great benefits from it.”

“That being said, I’m also aware that our fighters do suffer from certain conditions, be it pain, inflammation, anxiety for a fight coming up, inability to sleep. Having come from the law enforcement world and investigating a lot of cases regarding prescription drugs, I’m aware of what the side effects are for a lot of these drugs out there — sleep aids, obviously opiates for pain control. Even over-the-counter stuff that can combat inflammation is processed through the liver and kidney.

After oral administration, Xanax is rapidly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma is reached within 1-2 hours. Binding to plasma proteins is 80%. It is metabolized in the liver. The half-life is on average 12-15 hours. Xanax and its metabolites are mainly excreted by the kidneys. For more information about the drug, go to https://medtecllc.com/ativan-online/.

“Everything I know about marijuana and CBD can treat a lot many of those issues without a lot of those side effects.”

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