Can cannabis enhance your workout?

As we embark on a new year, resolutions have been made. For everyone, those resolutions look different. However, one common resolution that many seem to take on – even if it only lasts about one month – is improving physical fitness. Whether that means joining a gym or creating healthy eating habits, there are many ways to accomplish a desired goal.

If you think you have tried it all, maybe you haven’t. Perhaps there is a missing piece that will assist you in more ways than one. What is that missing piece you ask? The answer is cannabis.

For decades, it has been believed that cannabis use makes people more tired, lazy and couchbound. However, through a recent study done at the University of Colorado, researchers asked: “What if instead of making people lazy, marijuana could actually get users to engage in more physical activity than they normally would?” (Healthline).

The study, which was published in Frontiers in Public Health, included data from over 600 cannabis users. “The average age of users was 37.5 and was split almost down the middle in terms of sex, with slightly more males than females,” (Healthline). The findings revealed that over 80 percent of respondents endorsed using some form of cannabis either directly before or after exercise.

According to Healthline, “Getting high and exercising also resulted in more physical activity as well.” The article continued, “Even after controlling for demographic factors like age and gender, co-users on average took part in 43 more minutes of aerobic exercise per week and 30 more minutes of anaerobic exercise, such as weightlifting.” Based on the study, clues reveal that marijuana consumption increases level of motivation and enjoyment, which are both crucial in physical fitness.

Another common myth tied to cannabis use is the munchies. While it is true – marijuana does activate neurons in the brain that typically shut down cravings –there are different strains of cannabis that have different effects on these neurons. “THC may increase appetite, but CBD helps carbohydrate metabolism, fasting insulin and metabolic function, mitigate and curb cravings – they work synergistically,” said Junella Chin, an interactive medical physician who specializes in medical cannabis and osteopathic neuromuscular medicine. “Having a cannabis formulation that is balanced in THC:CBD or dominantly CBD, is helpful in minimizing the munchies,” (Men’s Journal).

When it comes to eating healthy or dieting, it is also believed that an athlete or someone looking to achieve a fitness goal will be more inclined to make better eating decisions. Through a study in the American Journal of Medicine, it has been found that marijuana users have a lower BMI than their clean counterparts (Men’s Journal).

Whether or not you are new to working out, being physically active can cause soreness and pain. While some trainers may recommend stretching or drinking more water, others recommend turning to cannabis. “Marijuana can alleviate pain caused by everything from chronic pain to acute pain from muscle spasms,” (Muscle and Fitness).

“Societal norms shaped my thinking about marijuana, but it doesn’t take much digging into studies to find that cannabis compounds are anti-inflammatory, stress reducing, antioxidative and pain mediating, to name just a few benefits,” said San Francisco-based trainer Zach Scioli. After suffering an injury and being prescribed several painkillers, Scioli said he quickly realized the toxicity and switched to CBD and THC. “Looking back, it was the best choice I could have made,” he added (Muscle and Fitness).

Going hand and hand with physical health is mental health. Despite what some may believe about marijuana impacting brain function – it could be the opposite. When it comes to working out, fitness experts have shared that weed helps them “get in the zone.” Also, it can enhance one’s overall focus and reduce anxiety.

To find out if cannabis is the answer to reaching your fitness goals this year, visit a local dispensary today.

References www.healthline.com/health-news/more-peopleare-using-cannabis-before-and-after-workouts-isit-safe#A-new-kind-of-runners-high? www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/6-weedmyths-fit-guys-can-ignore/ www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/ marijuana-affect-athletic-performance/