Cannabis has become one of the most popular recreational drugs in the world, followed by alcohol, as said by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in 2020. Since the government has made the use of cannabis legal, more people are becoming aware of the use of cannabis in their daily lives. The use of cannabis has increased rapidly. Cannabis has a lot of effect on the individual’s health, majorly in the field of fitness and lifestyle.
As people learn more about the relationship between cannabis and exercise, a common question arises: Does cannabis play an important role in enhancing workouts? From relaxation to pain reduction, cannabis has a lot of impact on the individual depending upon the type of activity he or she is involved in. In this blog, you will come to know about the positive and negative benefits of cannabis along with the pre- and post-workout effects of cannabis. In addition to this, you will also know about the tips through which you can use cannabis safely in your workout process.
Potential Benefits Of Cannabis On A Workout
There are a lot of benefits to using cannabis for a workout. Some of them are listed below :
Pain Relief & Inflammation Reduction
Cannabis, especially CBD, is well known for its capacity to lower inflammation and ease pain, which makes it an advantageous tool for sports and fitness enthusiasts. Muscle stiffness and inflammation are frequent after a hard workout, and cannabis can help reduce these symptoms. Because of its well-known anti-inflammatory qualities, CBD directly targets inflammation, which can be uncomfortable and delay healing. Cannabis use may provide substantial relief for people with chronic pain or those recovering from hard training sessions, enabling them to get back to their routine quicker and minimizing rest while enhancing performance.
Improved Focus & Mind-Body Connection
Cannabis can help some people focus better and think more clearly when exercising. For sports like yoga, cycling, or hiking, where success depends heavily on the mind-body connection, this can be very helpful. Both mental clarity and physical relaxation may be offered by a well-balanced THC and CBD combination, which makes it simpler to focus and enjoy the workout. Cannabis’ ability to promote mental clarity can also help people become they will be more aware of how they feel, which can improve breathing, movement, and posture. Consuming weed and working out improve your whole experience, especially when engaging in mindfulness-based exercises.
Relaxation & Stress Reduction
The well-known relaxing properties of cannabis might be helpful before working exercise. A moderate amount of cannabis can help people who are stressed, anxious, or mentally tense since the use of cannabis will help you relax both mentally and physically, which improves attention and makes working out high more enjoyable. Cannabis’ calming effects help lower mental obstacles like tension or performance anxiety, which makes it easier to approach physical activities with calm. Additionally, THC and CBD work together to reduce muscular tension, which makes it possible to move more easily and with more flexibility when performing yoga or stretching activities.
Improved Recovery
Does weed help with muscle recovery? This is among the most common questions asked by people who consume weed since recovery after exercise is essential for long-term fitness improvement and muscle healing. A lot of athletes say that consuming cannabis, especially CBD, after working out helps them sleep better, which is important for muscle repair. Sleep facilitates the body’s natural healing processes, and cannabis may reduce inflammation, discomfort, and muscular tiredness by enhancing the quality of sleep. As a result, athletes may be able to train more efficiently over time and recover from exercises faster. In addition to promoting general health, getting enough sleep, also helps athletes feel more energized and prepared for their next workout.
The Possible Downsides Of Using Cannabis For Exercise
Along with the benefits, here are some of the drawbacks of using cannabis. Some of the major disadvantages of using cannabis are listed below:
Impaired Coordination
While there are many advantages to cannabis, some workouts may be challenging due to THC’s impact on coordination and movement. Activities that demand accuracy, such as weightlifting or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), are at risk due to the use of THC as it might slightly effect your muscle function and response time. Although it might not be evident right away, this condition could affect a person’s capacity to properly manage heavy machinery or execute complex movements. When under the effect of THC, users of cannabis should exercise carefully and avoid activities requiring a high degree of coordination and concentration.
Elevated Heart Rate
One of the most frequent question that individuals have is: does cannabis increase heart rate? So the answer is yes, there is a rise in heart rate when you eat cannabis. This is a frequent side effect of THC consumption that some people find unpleasant, particularly during cardiovascular workouts or high-intensity activities. Anxiety or breathlessness may result from the increased heart rate, especially in individuals who already have cardiovascular problems. This rise in heart rate may make physical activity more challenging or even dangerous for people who are already at risk for cardiovascular problems or who are sensitive to THC. Therefore, before undergoing intense physical activity, people should carefully assess how cannabis affects their bodies.
Dehydration & Dry Mouth
The well-known side effect of cannabis is “cottonmouth,” or dry mouth if this is not treated properly it can cause dehydration in that particular person. During every workout, it’s important to stay hydrated because dehydration can affect both performance and recovery. It can be necessary for cannabis users who suffer from dry mouth so it is always advised to actively drink water before, during, and after their workout in order to keep hydrated. Additionally, some users may experience mild dehydration, which can negatively affect endurance and overall workout effectiveness. In order to avoid any negative impacts on performance, it is important to stay hydrated when using cannabis and exercising.
Pre-Workout Effects of Cannabis
If an individual is consuming cannabis before their workout then it can have different side effects based on the strain the individual is consuming, the amount of strain it is using, and the tolerance ability of the individual. As per some of the users who consume cannabis, there is an increase in their focus level, energy, and motivation. Other individuals observed that low doses of THC may reduce pre-workout anxiety, helping them feel more relaxed and in the zone. Cannabis can also improve mind-muscle connection, making some exercises feel more intuitive.
Post-Workout Effects of Cannabis
After working out, some people find that cannabis works better than it did before. Cannabis’s calming properties, especially those of CBD, may promote healing by reducing muscular discomfort and enhancing the quality of sleep. For people who have tight muscles, chronic pain, or just need to relax after a challenging, long day, intake of cannabis may be quite beneficial. Cannabis can help the body heal by providing you with relaxation and making you feel more rested and prepared for your next workout.
Tips for Using Cannabis In Workouts
Whenever an individual is consuming cannabis during their workout process it is important that you follow these tips:
- Start Low, Go Slow: If you are planning to consume cannabis during your workout process, it is always advised to start with a small amount and check how it reacts to your body. Once you are used to that much cannabis and your body does not have a severe reaction to your body, then slowly and gradually you can increase the dosage of the cannabis intake.
- Stay Hydrated: One of the major side effects of cannabis is it can cause dehydration or keep your mouth dry. So for those who consume cannabis on a regular basis, it is important that you stay hydrated and take in fluids in different forms.
- Consult Your Healthcare Professional: If you see that even after consuming a small amount of cannabis you are having some of the major side effects, then you should consult a doctor in that case. Some people find an increase in heart rate and anxiety even when they consume a small amount of cannabis, so in such cases consult a doctor.
- Time Your Intake: When you consume cannabis in any of the edibles, it takes time to react in your body, so always be careful about how much you consume. So do not overdose on the intake of cannabis to see how it reacts to your body. If you want fast side effects of cannabis, then rather than eating it, you should try to inhale it in some other form.
Conclusion
Cannabis and athletic performance are connected as more athletes are exploring how cannabis can help with recovery, pain relief, and improving performance. There is not a single, universal method for consuming cannabis in your exercise routine. It may provide advantages like pain relief, enhanced concentration, and relaxation, but it may also have some disadvantages like increased heart rate and poor coordination.
The way to use cannabis is very important, as it will have some side effects on your body, and recognizing those side effects is very important. If you’re thinking about consuming cannabis in your exercise routine, start trying with smaller amounts to see how it affects you. Like any other supplement, it’s important to figure out the advantages and disadvantages for your body and know what works best for you along with how it affects your general health, performance, and recovery.