Working Out Cannabis

Working out on cannabis

Working Out On Cannabis

Although marijuana has long been stereotyped as the substance of choice for couch-surfers and slackers, many athletes insist it’s a performance booster that’s upping their workout game. Is there any evidence that smoking marijuana and working out has benefits, or is it a potentially dangerous combination?. Does working out while high have more benefits or dangers?. Big Chief Carts

Does Working Out High Help or Hurt?

As cannabis becomes legalized in more areas, it’s becoming more commonplace, with everyone — including athletes harnessing marijuana’s health benefits to boost their training regimes. In particular, edibles, such as weed-based power bars, vaporizing, and cannabis oil extracts, are popular among the super-fit because they don’t involve inhaling smoke into the lungs. Chronic Carts

Some athletes depend on marijuana to increase their pain tolerance and find relief from pre-workout anxiety — with both elements helping them push harder through their training. For example, triathlete and gym owner Clifford Drusinsky recently told Men’s Journal that before his morning training sessions, he consumes 20 mg of THC in a marijuana energy bar.

“Marijuana relaxes me and allows me to enter a controlled, meditational place. When I get high, I train smarter and focus on form.” — Clifford Drusinsky. Glo Extract

However, other exercise enthusiasts reject the idea of working out stoned, citing marijuana use as decreasing their motivation and giving them food cravings. What does the available science have to say on this topic? Focus on your studies with adderall ir

The Science Behind Marijuana and Working Out

The research shows that there is hard scientific evidence to support claims from Drusinsky and others who have touted the benefits of working out while high. It turns out that the active ingredients in marijuana can lessen inflammation, calm the mind, and stimulate endorphins.

Marijuana has anti-inflammatory properties.

The cannabinoids in marijuana have anti-inflammatory properties that can suppress pain. This is one of the reasons that many athletes are using marijuana not just as a pre-workout pick-me-up but also as a post-workout treatment for injuries.

It can calm the mind and increase focus.

Whether athletes suffer from performance anxiety or need to direct their attention and focus, marijuana can be good for both. CBD (an active ingredient in marijuana) and whole-plant marijuana are effective treatments for anxiety, with CBD being particularly effective at creating a sense of calm and well-being. Buddha Bear Carts

Cannabis stimulates feel-good receptors in the brain.

Researchers have found that marijuana works on the same brain receptors as the body’s natural endocannabinoids — chemicals that act as mood boosters. These chemicals are similar to the endorphins produced during a workout and can give athletes a headstart on achieving their natural “runner’s high.”

THC acts as a bronchodilator.

Studies on THC (the active ingredient found in the highest concentrations in many marijuana strains) have revealed that it produces bronchodilation effects. The increased airflow due to consuming marijuana and working out could offer a potential athletic advantage and boost in performance.

There may be a link between marijuana and metabolism.

Several studies have examined the connection between cannabinoids, metabolism, and body weight. One team of researchers found that THCV improves insulin sensitivity in mice and creates body weight reduction. Another study found that the incidence of obesity is lower in cannabis users than in those who abstain — a surprising finding is given that marijuana is well-known for stimulating hunger. This doesn’t create any solid evidence that marijuana is a weight loss supplement (especially since most strains of marijuana are deficient in THCV). Still, it’s hardly bad news for those who enjoy smoking marijuana and working out.. Can marijuana and exercise go hand-in-hand to boost metabolism?

Cannabis Consumption Methods for Working Out Stoned

Athletes differ on their preferred ingestion methods when preparing for working out high. Some opt to smoke marijuana, others choose edibles, and others prefer vaping cannabis. Each method comes with different pros and cons.

Smoking/Vaporizing

The most significant benefit of smoking marijuana before working out is that the effects immediately kick in. The downside of ingesting marijuana by smoking is lung damage and irritation — two issues that are especially concerning to athletes working to be in tip-top shape. Vaporizing marijuana flowers or oils eliminates this concern. Muha Meds Carts

Smoking/vaporizing cannabis allows athletes to control the dosage consumed carefully. Getting extremely high before or during a workout is inadvisable. Micro dosing by taking just a few puffs (one to three is generally sufficient) is the best way to balance working out stoned and becoming too intoxicated to have a safe and effective gym session.

Edibles

Some athletes prefer marijuana-infused edibles when they work out because they’re a convenient and subtle way to consume cannabis. Edibles can make micro-dosing more complex, however, and they typically take at least 30 minutes to kick in, so those using them for a boost during their workout must consume them well in advance. Sublingual tinctures work faster — within approximately 15 minutes — and can provide an alternative to slower-acting edibles.

Cautions About Consuming Marijuana and Working Out

While working out high and using cannabis for post-workout recovery may serve a positive purpose, there are also reasons why athletes and fitness enthusiasts should be cautious.

Athletic Drug Testing

Marijuana is a particular concern for competitive athletes, as many of the organizations that govern competitions and events require participants to submit to drug testing. The World Doping Agency, for example, drug tests Olympic athletes, Ultimate Fighting Championship competitors, and participants in other major sporting events worldwide. In 2018, they removed CBD from their list of prohibited substances, but all other forms of cannabis are still currently banned. 

Intoxication and Injury

Having a burst of marijuana-generated endorphins when starting a workout feels wonderful to many athletes, but it can result in injury if they don’t manage their high carefully. Any substance that affects an individual’s decision-making ability when they’re handling heavy weights or testing their own physical limits can result in pushing the boundaries too far.

Cardiovascular Risks

Cannabis also increases the risk of a heart attack in the hour after smoking it. In addition to this, it raises heart rate and causes blood vessels to dilate. This puts additional stress on the heart, and it’s why smoking marijuana before working out could be dangerous for someone with heart disease.

Athletes who exercise high on marijuana must be aware of potential cardiovascular risks. Moonrock Carts

Combining Cannabis and Exercise: Choosing Strains

Most people think of marijuana as a substance that only makes people drowsy or silly, but the effects depend on the dose and the strain. Some strains offer an ideal pre-workout boost, while others are better off left for the recovery period after an intense workout.

For those who are interested in exercising while high, Sativa cannabis strains may be an excellent choice. They’re known for providing an energizing, uplifting, head-based high that increases focus and motivation for bodybuilders working on getting through long sets of reps.

Indica strains, meanwhile, can be helpful for those who prefer to smoke marijuana after working out. These strains are generally suitable for relaxing muscles and calming pain.

Sativas and indicas aren’t one-size-fits-all, however; each strain has different amounts of THC and CBD and different terpenes that alter its effects.

FAQ About Smoking Marijuana and Working Out

The following are common questions people have about working out high on marijuana. Innoj carts dispensary

Is it dangerous to exercise high?

Exercising while high may be dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease due to marijuana increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and overall heart attack risk immediately after smoking it. For those without heart disease, becoming intoxicated could increase the risk of injury while working out.

What are the best strains to choose when smoking weed before working out?

While many people believe all marijuana bogs users down and make them lazy, sativa marijuana strains do just the opposite. They’re known for giving people a stimulating high that motivates them and increases their focus. This makes sativas excellent strains for working out high.

Is it wrong to smoke weed after working out?

In addition to being a great way to reward oneself after a challenging workout, using marijuana after exercising can help your body recover. THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce pain, especially after a new or strenuous workout regimen. Cali Plug Carts

What strains are best when smoking weed after working out?

While sativa strains are best before a workout, the best post-workout strains may be indicated. Known as the “sleepy” marijuana strains, it indicates soothe both mind and body. They relax muscles, ease pain, and are an excellent way to come down after an intense workout.

Watch: Marijuana And Bodybuilding — Does Weed Affect Muscle Growth?

A Final Word on Marijuana and Working Out

While some athletes insist that working out high helps boost their performance and speed along their recovery afterward, others feel that marijuana negatively impacts their exercise routine and overall health. Anyone who is thinking of smoking marijuana and working out is advised to start slow — both in terms of dosage and intensity of the workout while under the influence. Individuals should also consider any cardiovascular issues before combining marijuana and working out.

Smoking marijuana after working out is less controversial. It reduces cardiovascular concerns and can help with the pain, tense muscles, and inflammation resulting from a new or particularly strenuous gym session. While smoking marijuana and working out may seem an odd combination to some, exercise fanatics are finding that experimenting with cannabis has the potential to expand their athletic horizons.