5 Reasons to Use Cannabis Post-Workout!

5 Reasons to Use Cannabis Post-Workout

To some people, cannabis and exercise may seem like they are part of two different worlds but the reality is that they actually work very well together! In fact, here are five reasons to consider cannabis for your post-workout routine.

Cannabis Reduces Muscle Soreness One of the most prominent reasons to use cannabis post-workout is due to its ability to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle soreness for quicker recovery. THC and CBD are both excellent anti-inflammatory compounds that can help after particularly tough training sessions.

This is two-fold as these cannabinoids both reduce the body’s inflammatory response to pain, as well as reduce the pain signals sent to the brain1.

Be careful though, just because you do not feel sore or in pain, doesn’t mean your body is ready to go! Rest and recovery is equally important for building muscle mass and improving athletic performance. Personally, I find a moderate edible and a hot bath is the perfect combination when it comes to relaxing and reviving sore muscles!

Cannabis Improves Metabolism Another benefit of cannabis that most athletes can get behind, is the fact that cannabis helps to regulate and even improve your metabolism!

1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/

In fact, according to a 2006 study2, it was found that marijuana usage is associated with a higher calorie intake - in fact, the difference was 619 calories / per day between the nonmarijuana user and marijuana user groups. However, despite this increased caloric intake, a 2016 study3 found that marijuana users are better at metabolising carbohydrates and have lower fasting insulin levels and less insulin resistance than non-marijuana users.

While there is still more research to be done, there is a positive correlation between marijuana use and a healthy body weight.

Cannabis Protects Against Brain Injury If you are into sports, particularly contact sports, then this fact is for you! Cannabis (particularly CBD) has been proven to help reduce brain swelling4 in both minor and more severe concussions, which can help you to recover.

In addition, a 3-year study5 done by the UCLA found a correlation between death rate and patients with THC in their system at the time of injury versus those who don't. The group with THC in their bloodstream at the time of the incident have a lower fatality rate than non-users.

Cannabis Can Improve Your Focus Whether you choose to use cannabis before your workout, or after, there is no doubt that cannabis can be an incredible force for helping you focus and align your mind and body.

If you choose to use cannabis prior to your workout, the best form would be micro-dose edibles or vaping, which will reduce irritation to your lungs. Creative and energizing Sativa strains such as Green Crack or Sour Diesel are ideal to help you focus and get creative with your workout plan!

If you choose to incorporate cannabis into your exercise regime or post-workout routine, it can be a great tool to help you focus on what you have achieved and on setting new goals for yourself. It is a great tool that helps many individuals get organized and motivated, when used properly. We are not talking about hard-hitting Indica strains like Purple Kush, mind you!

Cannabis (and Exercise) Benefits the Endocannabinoid System Both cannabis and exercise benefit the endocannabinoid system in unique ways in order to improve its overall function - as well as your athletic ability.

The Endocannabinoid System is a very large network of receptors located throughout the body, with particular gatherings of these receptors within the brain (CB1) and the immune / digestive 2

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16893701 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23684393 4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23960212 5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25264643 3

systems (CB2). In fact, this system connects almost all other bodily systems. To put it simply, the endocannabinoid system regulates almost everything - sleep, appetite, inflammation, pain, memory, mood and even reproductive health! It is important to focus on maintaining this system for optimal health as some diseases are correlated with a poor ECS including migraines, fibromyalgia and even irritable bowel syndrome.

Exercise, particularly aerobic, helps to stimulate this system by increasing levels of anandamide. Anandamide is known as the “bliss molecule” and has a structure similar to THC and CBD, meaning it can also communicate with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Anandamide has the greatest number of receptors throughout the body (more so than serotonin or dopamine) is crucial for maintaining a healthy nervous system.

One of the ways that cannabis can help to maintain this system, is to also communicate with these receptors and even “fill gaps” in damaged endocannabinoid systems, resulting in better overall mood and health.

Bonus: Exercise Can Improve Your High Not only can cannabis help you with exercise, but exercise can help you with cannabis too! The body stores THC in fat cells and, during exercise, the body metabolises fat cells for energy. So, as you exercise, small amounts of stored up THC can be released back into the bloodstream thereby adding to your “runners high”. In fact, a 2013 study6 out of the University of Sydney found that individuals who exercised for just 35 minutes after consuming marijuana had 15% greater THC levels versus those who smoke cannabis but do not exercise.

6

http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=12329

This is more proof that cannabis and exercise are the perfect pairing!

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