Aurora Cannabis, UFC Performance Institute Partner on New Clinical Hemp CBD Research Program

Aurora Cannabis and UFC have collaborated to launch a clinical research program on the use of hemp-derived CBD products on MMA athletes. The program will consist of multiple studies under the terms of their recent partnership. We are starting to see more and more collaborations to provide more scientific evidence of the benefits of CBD. The research will center around hemp-derived CBD as an effective treatment for pain, inflammation, wound-healing, and recovery. The research is aimed at elite athletes in highly competitive and physical sports such as martial arts. The intention of the research is to support the development of CBD topicals that will be safe and reliable.

Currently, the market is laden with products that are not backed by science or third party tested. This is problematic for high-performance as well as non-professional athletes because it can affect drug testing or have other negative side effects. Once the research is complete, any product that is created will be launched under the new high-performance sports brand, ROAR Sports. The brand offers high quality, hemp-derived CBD topical treatments that are scientifically formulated for elite athletes. They seek to help remove the stress of the competition and earn an official designation as the “Official CBD product of UFC”.

The program will take place at the UFC Performance Institute and include a research and medical team of experts from Aurora as well as a team of sports performance experts from the UFC. Athletes will participate on a strictly volunteer basis and products will be developed in compliance with US federal law and UFC’s anti-doping program which follows WADA and USADA regulations. The partnership strives to create awareness and change the way people think about CBD. Aurora hopes to build their brand and develop their products in the US and the collaboration with UFC will allow them to do so. They stand to be a significant player in the US cannabis industry.

There is already a lot of anecdotal evidence proving the efficacy of CBD for physical recovery and performance enhancement, but what is required is evidence-based and science-backed research. This is necessary for the industry to move forward and for athletes to be willing to try CBD products without concern of any risks. It is important to have clean CBD topicals that athletes can rely on for treatment. The studies will also help to improve current products as well as create even better ones. The partnership seeks to be the leader and go-to for education as well as products for UFC athletes. The ultimate goal would then be to take that knowledge and expertise and potentially apply it to other sports.