CBD – or cannabidiol – is becoming well-known for its celebrity endorsements. From actors to athletes around the world, we are seeing more and more people trying – and loving – CBD. One famous athlete who loves CBD so much that they now have their own CBD brand, is top UFC fighter, Nate Diaz.

Diaz’s ‘Game Up Nutrition’ is focussed particularly on people who are looking to use CBD as part of their sporting or active lifestyle, offering good quality, legal hemp CBD products designed specifically for sportspeople.

So, what’s the big deal? Are you sporty or a fighter yourself? Could CBD help you? And is it legal in the world of sport?

What is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid that is naturally present in the hemp plant – which is part of the cannabis family. The hemp plant contains over 100 different compounds, but one of its major ones is CBD.

When CBD is taken it can affect the endocannabinoid system – a system in the body that helps to keep the body in a state of homeostasis – or balance.

The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the body itself). When they interact, the endocannabinoid system controls the level of certain chemicals in the body, which keep it working in good order.

There are a number of aspects to the body that is affected by the endocannabinoid system, including:

• Pain management
• Reduction of inflammation
• Anxiety and mood
• Digestive system
• Recovery
• Anti Stress & Anxiety
• Quality Sleep Aid

CBD and Sport

Due to some of the effects that CBD can have on the body, we are seeing increasing numbers of athletes using it.

Most people in sport use CBD as they believe that it can help to reduce inflammation, repair muscles and help them to sleep and rest well.

CBD can be taken in a capsule or edible form, oil sublingually, smoked or vaped, or rubbed into the skin topically.  The delivery method that you choose would depend on what you prefer as well as the reason why you are taking it.

Game Up Nutrition products have been specially designed mainly but not exclusively for use by those who are using their products for sporting reasons.

Legality of CBD

Due to the fact that it comes from a plant in the cannabis family, it is important to be careful with CBD products. CBD is completely legal in the UK and the USA, but another cannabinoid – THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol, isn’t.

In the UK, the THC level must be below 0.3% for a product to be legal (0.2% in the Uk & Europe) and this is why CBD producers use industrial hemp for their products. Industrial hemp is a variety of cannabis that has been specially grown to contain very low levels of THC and higher levels of CBD as well as the terpenes, flavonoids and other legal cannabinoids.

This means that as long as your CBD products are bought from a reputable company that uses industrial hemp, they will be completely legal. The World Anti-Doping Agency also removed CBD from its list of banned products in 2018 so you are free to use it.

It is important to note, however, that if your CBD products are full or broad spectrum CBD, there is a chance of a trace of THC being present. Although it won’t be enough to make you high, there is a very small chance that THC might show up on a test.

Nate Diaz’s Game Up Nutrition has a good range of CBD products for athletes and other people as well as pets. So, if you’re thinking about trying some of them out, here’s all that you need to know about their range…

Game Up Nutrition 1000mg CBD Oil

The Game Up Nutrition 1000mg CBD oil is made from organic hemp and is lemon and lime flavour (flavoured using stevia – a natural sweetener to sweeten it). The bottle contains 30ml of CBD oil, giving you a total of 1000mg of CBD per bottle and costs $79.99.

The CBD is mixed with an MCT carrier oil of organic and sustainably produced coconut and palm oil to help it to be absorbed into the body more effectively.

CBD oil is most commonly taken by using the pipette provided to add drops under the tongue. You then keep it there for up to two minutes, where the CBD is absorbed through the lining of the mouth and goes directly into the blood vessels. This means that the CBD is absorbed quickly and gets to work within about 20 minutes.

You can also add your CBD oil to food – ideally baking mixes, sauces or soups. This will take longer to be absorbed (up to about two hours) as it is absorbed through the digestive system.

Ingredients: CBD Isolate Hemp Extract, MCT Oil, Lemon Oil, Lime Oil, Stevia

Pros

• Organic and GMO-free
• Easy to dose through the pipette provided
• Third-party lab certificate provided online
• Hemp is grown and harvested in the USA
• Other terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids present
• Less than 0.3% THC
• Loyalty program
• Shelf-life of up to a year if stored correctly
• 30 day returns policy

Cons

• Only one size bottle available
• Only 1,000mg potency available
• Need to check that THC levels are less than 0.2% in the UK
• Returns shipping costs are non-refundable

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Game Up Nutrition CBD Balm

Some of the cannabinoid receptors are found near to the surface of the skin meaning that it can also be applied on the skin. Many people use CBD after a workout to help to reduce the inflammation of muscles and joints – often reducing post-workout soreness. The Game Up Nutrition CBD balm contains 250mg of premium, organic hemp CBD in each 1.5 fl oz. or 42g pot, costing $39.99.

The balm also contains other ingredients that make it extra soothing and nourishing, including organic aloe, shea butter and essential oils, soothing muscles and joints, and aiding in repair.

The balm is to be rubbed into the skin on the affected area liberally, as and when you need it.

Ingredients: Organic MCT Oil, CBD Isolate, Organic Aloe, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Essential Oils (Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Tea Tree), Organic Menthol, Organic Beeswax

Pros

• Completely organic
• Cooling effect
• Can be applied according to requirements
• 30 day returns policy
• Independent lab test certificate of analysis available
• Made from good quality, US hemp

Cons

• Only one balm type available
• Only available in 1.5 fl oz pot
• Returns shipping costs not paid
• Not vegan

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Game Up Nutrition Pet CBD Oil

It is not only people who have an endocannabinoid system and can benefit from CBD oil. Most mammals also do, and we are seeing an increasing number of people using it for their pets.

Many people are using CBD to try to help their pets with pain relief and anxiety – which can be especially useful if they are being put in stressful situations like travelling.

Game Up Nutrition’s pet CBD oil can be dropped directly into your pet’s mouth or added to food. It comes in a 15ml bottle – giving you a total of 500mg of CBD for $44.99. The CBD oil is peanut butter flavoured, making it a firm favourite amongst our four-legged friends.

The CBD oil is made from non-GMO, organic, US hemp and is mixed with organic and sustainable MCT oil made from coconut and palm oil. Dosages are usually calculated according to the size of the animal.

Ingredients: Full Spectrum CBD Hemp Extract, MCT Oil, Organic Peanut Butter Oil, Stevia

Pros

• Organic and non-GMO hemp
• Easy to dose with dropper
• Pleasant flavour for pets
• Made using sustainable ingredients
• 30 day returns policy
• Certificate of analysis available online

Cons

• Only one flavour available
• Only one strength available
• Only 15ml bottle available
• Check the potency of THC is less than 0.3% In USA

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Game Up Nutrition CBD Pre-Roll Hemp Joint

For those who like to smoke, All Game Nutrition’s CBD pre-roll hemp joint could be for you. The joints are made from quality, organic hemp flowers, rolled with unbleached, vegan paper, for $10.99 each.

Smoking your CBD hemp enables your body to absorb the CBD almost instantaneously through the lungs, and the joints contain no tobacco – meaning that it is healthier for you than smoking tobacco cigarettes.

There are three different hemp varieties to choose from – each with their own combination of cannabinoids, giving different effects, different flavours, and different aromas:

1. Special Sauce (Hybrid) 0.222% THC, 15.091% CBD
2. Hawaiian Haze (Hybrid) 0.163% THC, 14.175% CBD
3. Sour Space Candy (Hybrid) 0.128% THC, 12.168% CBD

Each joint weighs 0.75g and comes in a handy travel tube – and as you can see from the cannabinoid breakdown above, are all legal in the USA. The Special Sauce joint, however, is not legal in the UK.

Ingredients: Hemp flower, unbleached vegan rolling paper

Pros

• Absorbed into the bloodstream quickly
• Range of strains available
• Certificate of analysis available
• Healthier than smoking tobacco
• Organic, non-GMO hemp
• 30 day returns policy
• You can order as many pre-rolled joints as you like
• Vegan

Cons

• Only two of the three strains are legal in the UK
• Be aware that the smell of a hemp joint is very similar to a high THC joint
• Any kind of smoking can damage your health
• Returns shipping costs not paid

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Game Up Nutrition CBD Lip Balm

At $7.99, Game Up Nutrition’s CBD lip balm gives you 5mg of quality, organic CBD per 0.15 oz (4g) tube. CBD can work with the cannabinoid receptors in the skin to help to protect your lips from dryness, and alongside the other ingredients in the lip balm which include almond oil and shea butter, that can keep them soft and nourished.

The lip balm is organic and vegan, as well as being free from pthalates, parabens, and sulphates. It can be used as little or often as you like or feel necessary.

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond) Oil, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Candellia (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil And Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Flavouring Oil

Pros

• Pleasant fragrance
• Vegan
• Natural flavourings
• Can be used as much as you like
• Organic
• A third-party certificate of analysis available
• Cruelty-free
• Full-spectrum CBD

Cons

• Only one fragrance available
• Only 0.15 oz tube available
• Returns shipping costs not paid
• No discount for multiple buys

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Game Up Nutrition High CBD Hemp Flower

If you enjoy rolling your own CBD hemp joint – or adding it to food to make extra-healthy edibles, you can also get Game Up Nutrition’s high CBD hemp flowers. The flowers that are available are the same strains as those which are available in the pre-rolled joints:

1. Hawaiian Haze hemp flower (14.175% CBD, 0.163% THC), is uplifting and has a floral aroma with hints of citrus and pineapple – 1/8 or 3.5g is $39.99
2. Sour Space Candy hemp flower (12.168% CBD, 0.128% THC), is energetic and uplifting and has strong tones of citrus and tropical fruits with an earthy flavour – 1/8 or 3.5g is $39.99
3. Special Sauce hemp flower (15.091% CBD, 0.222% THC), brings “balanced motivation” whilst helping to calm, with “sweet and hoppy aromas” and an “earthy berry” flavour – 1/8 or 3.5g is $39.99

All of the hemp flowers are grown in organic conditions in Oregon, USA, cured for four weeks and then machine and hand-trimmed. There are third party lab test certificates available which will give you a complete breakdown of all of the compounds in each strain.

It is important to notice that the ‘Special Sauce’ variety has over 0.2% THC and would therefore not be legal in the UK.

Pros

• Selection of three different strains
• Flexibility to use as much or little as you like per joint
• High CBD, low THC
• Organically grown
• 30 day returns policy
• Certificate of analysis easily available online

Cons

• Only two strains legal in the UK
• We would like to see more strains available!
• No discount for higher quantities
• Be aware that the smell of a hemp joint is very similar to a high THC joint

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Nate Diaz’s Game Up Nutrients CBD products are an appealing product for many people, but especially those who are looking to try CBD in relation to their sporting activities. They are not only branded to appeal to sportspeople, but their products have been designed to be useful to them.

The Game Up Nutrients range includes CBD oil, balm, and flowers which can be smoked, giving you a number of options, according to what you are using it for.

It is important to note that although CBD is non-addictive, safe and has no long-term side effects, it can affect how your body processes certain medications. This means that it could have the result of making some medication more effective than your doctor intended. It is therefore important that if you are taking medication, you speak to your doctor before trying CBD.

If you are looking to follow in Nate Diaz’s footsteps, are wanting to try CBD for another reason, or think that your pet could benefit from it, the Game Up Nutrients range is a great place to start – so why not give it a go?

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