Can Cannabis Enhance Your Exercise Routine?

Nothing quite compares to the exhilaration of being in the groove during a powerful workout. Whether it’s the rhythmic thud of your feet on the pavement, the satisfying pump of your arms lifting kettlebells, or the graceful glide of your glutes through a swimming pool, a fulfilling workout session can leave you feeling absolutely fantastic.

Cannabis possesses numerous therapeutic advantages and may be used to address various health conditions. If you seek to use cannabis as a treatment for your health issues, obtaining a medical marijuana card online is essential. This card will provide you with lawful authorization to access medical cannabis.

However, the challenge for many lies in mustering the motivation to kickstart that exercise routine. When the moment arrives to lace up your running shoes, a barrage of excuses can quash even the most well-intentioned plans to get moving.

Interestingly, for some individuals, cannabis might just hold the key to conquering workout indifference and embracing physical activity. While there has long been an assumption that cannabis enthusiasts are less inclined to engage in exercise, fueled by stereotypes of lethargic stoners, a mounting body of evidence suggests that cannabis users actually maintain a positive relationship with physical fitness.

What motivates individuals to incorporate cannabis before or after their exercise sessions?

A significant portion of our knowledge regarding the intersection of cannabis and exercise has been derived from recent surveys and anecdotal accounts. Factors such as the legalization of recreational use, improved accessibility to cannabis, and a reduced perception of associated risks have piqued researchers’ interest in exploring how this plant influences various aspects of lifestyle and well-being. However, stringent federal regulations present challenges in conducting controlled cannabis studies.

In a survey conducted with 605 cannabis users, referred to as “The New Runner’s High?”, a remarkable 81.7% of participants mentioned that they included cannabis in their workout routines. Among these users, a majority highlighted specific advantages, including heightened motivation, increased enjoyment, and accelerated recovery. Furthermore, 37.5% claimed that it enhanced their overall performance.

Preferences in consumption methods also emerged, with cannabis flower and concentrates being more popular choices among those who incorporated cannabis into their workouts, as opposed to edibles.

Researchers delved deeper into the data to examine the exercise habits of individuals who consumed cannabis within four hours before or after their physical activities. Of those surveyed, 68.9% used cannabis within one hour prior to exercise, while 82% consumed cannabis within four hours post-exercise. A significant 67% of participants opted for cannabis both before and after their workouts.

These consumers engaged in aerobic exercises, such as running, for an average of 159.7 minutes per week, in contrast to non-consumers, who averaged 103.5 minutes of exercise. Moreover, 40% of cannabis users met or exceeded the recommendations set by the American College of Sports Medicine, which advise a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, whereas only 28.7% of non-users achieved this level of physical activity.

Additional intriguing findings from Whitney Ogle, a physical therapist and cannabis researcher at Humboldt State University, reveal that among the 131 survey participants, they reported more than 55 different physical activities that they found enjoyable while under the influence of cannabis. Sixty percent expressed a preference for hiking while being stoned, 58% leaned towards yoga, and 50% were inclined towards using aerobic machines.

Their primary motivations for using cannabis prior to engaging in physical activities included “enhancing focus/concentration” (66%), “enriching the exercise experience” (65%), and “heightening the mind-body-spirit connection” (65%). However, 25% of users also mentioned that consuming cannabis before exercise occasionally resulted in unexpected adverse effects, such as an elevated heart rate or feeling too intoxicated to continue their workout.

Is there any indication that cannabis can influence one’s performance during exercise?

When it comes to elucidating the reasons behind the uplifting and motivating effects of cannabis, researchers are still searching for a definitive answer. One hypothesis suggests that exercise elevates the levels of anandamide, a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the body that promotes feelings of happiness and well-being. Cannabis targets the same receptors as anandamide, so using cannabis before a workout might offer a head start on experiencing those feel-good sensations.

Another theory delves into the psychological aspect: If cannabis enhances the enjoyment of exercise, it could create a positive feedback loop that motivates individuals to engage in physical activity more frequently.

However, there is limited evidence to suggest that cannabis use enhances or hinders athletic performance. In a recent review, researchers discovered no significant disparities between cannabis users and non-users in terms of peak workout capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived effort, strength, endurance, or blood pressure. In other words, cannabis doesn’t appear to provide a competitive advantage for increasing strength, endurance, or the ability to lift heavier weights or run longer distances.

Furthermore, researchers also examined the effects of chronic cannabis use on athletic performance and once again found no conclusive evidence that heavy use—typically defined as at least once per week—significantly impacted workout outcomes. The sole discernible distinction in one study was that chronic cannabis users displayed a slightly higher resting heart rate.

In light of these findings, the study’s authors concluded that there is little justification for sporting regulatory bodies to impose restrictions on cannabis use.

If you are considering cannabis as a remedy for your medical conditions, obtaining a medical marijuana card by reaching out to a Medical Cannabis Doctor Temecula is essential to legally consume cannabis in Temecula.