How smoking weed affects recovery after a workout
When people think of cannabis, the first image that springs to mind is usually not an athlete or someone working towards their training goals. But scientific research suggests that maybe it should be, and maybe it’s time to reexamine our assumptions about the relationship between cannabis and your workout.
In this article, we dive into the essential details of smoking cannabis and whether it affects the body’s ability to recover during and after exercise.
How Does Weed Affect Your Training?
The idea of using weed to increase athletic performance is controversial. But some athletes and other fitness enthusiasts claim that the benefits outweigh the cons.
Some of the positive ways weed can affect your training include:
Relaxation
Smoking weed can make you feel relaxed and less anxious about exercising. This layer of extra mental relaxation can help break down mental barriers like a lack of confidence or stage fright.
pain relief
Scientific studies have shown that the cannabinoids in THC can help reduce inflammation, which is one of the most common causes of pain. Smoking cannabis after a workout can help reduce inflammation in tired muscles and ultimately relieve pain.
Increased appetite
For athletes looking to bulk up (like boxers, wrestlers, and weightlifters), smoking cannabis can be an important tool to help you achieve important weight gain goals. THC can make athletes hungry because it helps activate CB1 receptors in the brain, which regulate appetite.
It’s important to acknowledge that little scientific or medical research has been conducted to examine how cannabis can enhance athletic performance. On the other hand, there is research that indicates possible adverse side effects, including:
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Decreased lung function
Some studies suggest that smoking weed can decrease lung function, making it harder for oxygen to get to other muscles in the body during exercise. If you have a lung condition like asthma, it can make your workout even more difficult.
Slower response time
Cannabis can slow down a person’s reaction time and coordination. This reduced alertness could create a dangerous scenario for tripping, falling, or injuring others around you in a sporting environment.
Increased heart rate
Cannabis can increase your heart rate, affect blood flow and make it harder for nutrients to support muscles during exercise.
Related
Can Cannabis Help With Training?
How to get the most out of your workout with cannabis
If you’re considering adding cannabis as part of your workout routine, remember that the way cannabis affects your workout can depend on many factors, including:
their unique biology
Everyone has a different THC tolerance and some people feel the effects of cannabis more than others. Some people don’t feel anything at all. It’s important to start slowly with cannabis until you understand how it feels in your body.
power
Not all cannabis strains are created equal. While the typical THC content of a strain is between 16-18% THC, some top-shelf strains have THC levels that rise to 24-26%. If using a strain to aid in your post-workout recovery, make sure you are aware of its potency.
dosage
The amount (or dosage of cannabis) you smoke can affect or interfere with your workout. It’s always a good idea to start with the lowest THC dose possible and work your way up.
type of load
Keep in mind that sativa strains are typically associated with uplifting and energizing effects, while indica strains are associated with relaxation and sleep. If you’re not sure which strain type works best for you, try to find a balanced hybrid that falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of effects between indica and sativa.
We recommend a THC dosage training regimen so you understand what works best for your body and exercise performance. In general, start low and go slow. Here is an example of a THC dosing and training schedule.
Pre-workout (30-60 minutes before training)
- Consume a low dose of THC, 2.5-5 mg
- Use it to reduce pain and inflammation, increase focus and motivation, and improve mind-body connection during your workouts.
While the training
- An optional microdose of THC, 1-2 mg
- If you need additional pain relief or stress relief during your workout, you can consume an additional microdose of THC.
Post-workout (within 1-2 hours of exercise)
- Consume a higher dose of THC, 10-20 mg
- It promotes relaxation, reduces pain and inflammation, and aids in recovery.
How Does Weed Affect Muscle Recovery?
With limited research, it’s difficult to know exactly how weed affects muscle recovery. But what we do know about cannabis is that THC has anti-inflammatory properties. Since muscles tend to get sore and inflamed after a workout, many believe that smoking weed can help your muscles recover faster while reducing muscle spasms and spasms.
Athletes who smoke weed post-workout say that reducing inflammation with cannabis helps relax muscles, stimulate appetite, and improve sleep quality. Because weed is available in a variety of consumption forms, it offers an easy alternative for athletes who prefer non-flammable options like edibles.
Weed as a post-workout pain reliever
It’s not uncommon for athletes to use weed to relieve muscle pain after a workout. When THC or CBD enters the body, it binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, reducing pain signals throughout the body.
This, in addition to its natural anti-inflammatory properties, makes cannabis an ideal choice for post-workout pain relief.
One notable celebrity who has recently taken to using cannabis to aid in her workouts and post-workout recovery is rapper Wiz Khalifa. “I really think that smoking weed helps my bloat a little better because I have breath control and I’m able to take those deep, long breaths that normal people who don’t use potent marijuana don’t experience,” said called Khalifa.
There are also many high-profile athletes who are open about their cannabis use, including:
- UFC fighter Conor McGregor
- NHL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson
- Former NFL player Marshawn Lynch
- US soccer player Megan Rapinoe
Is It Safe To Use Weed After Taking Pre-Workout?
No, it is unsafe to use weed after taking pre-workout supplements for a number of reasons. The main reason is that there is little to no scientific research in this area, so the long-term effects are unknown.
Another area of concern is the physical effects of pre-workout supplements and how these effects can worsen the effects of cannabis, including:
Increased heart rate
Pre-workout supplements usually contain a generous amount of caffeine. Caffeine can increase your heart rate and make you physically jittery. Combined with the effects of cannabis, these feelings can be overwhelming and make you feel like you are having a heart attack.
dehydration
Pre-workout supplements and cannabis are both known to cause dehydration when used alone. The combination can make you feel light-headed, dizzy, or even faint.
Fear
Both pre-workout supplements and weed can cause panic attacks or anxiety.
Final thoughts on using weed for post-workout recovery
Whether you’re working out in the gym or running on the track, it’s important to stay hydrated and avoid overexertion while exercising with cannabis.
Keep in mind that cannabis use can affect coordination and reaction time, which can be dangerous with certain exercises like weightlifting or high-intensity interval training. If you are considering adding cannabis to your exercise routine, consult your doctor first.
Sources
- Cannabis in Sport (2004), PMC, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3717337/
- Cannabis and Athletic Performance (2021), PMC, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8566388/
- Cardiovascular Consequences of Marijuana Use (2014), ACCP, https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1552-4604.2002.tb06005.x
- Cannabis as Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (2009) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/
Written in collaboration with Janessa Bailey.
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