Can cannabis boost your fitness? 

Cannabis has been part of society for centuries and this plant is always being used to come up with new and innovative ways to tackle healing. We rarely look at cannabis in the realm of fitness when cannabis can be used to build fitness as well assist in the healing and recovery period which is very important. You will find herbal remedies for sore muscles as well as CBD oil supplements amongst many other ways that cannabis can help you get into shape. A study has found that THC reduces pain during the exercising process by blocking the nerve signals from reaching the brain. This means that athletes will feel less discomfort when doing extensive training. In this blog post, we will explore how marijuana can help you train smarter as well as recover faster.

The effects of cannabis on athletic performance

Cannabis is a mind-altering drug that comes from the cannabis plant. This plant has been used recreationally as well as medically for centuries and it has a profound effect on the body. THC and CBD are the 2 main active ingredients in the cannabis plant and each has its own unique effects on the body. THC is the mind-altering ingredient and when consumed, the user can experience increased energy and motivation on one hand and calm and relaxation on the other, depending on the strain consumed. CBD is the other main active ingredient that has no psychoactive effects and when consumed, your body enters a state of relaxation. You also receive many medical benefits such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and induced sleep to name a few. According to research, acute marijuana consumption can reduce pain experienced during exercise which results in increased endurance. Many cannabis users also report feeling more enjoyment during exercise and the substance provides an overall stronger mind and body connection which is vital for exercising.

 Some side effects include increased heart rate, distorted perception of time, dry mouth, and eye redness. Quite a lot of athletes are marijuana users including Michael Phelps, Ricky Williams, Ricky Williams, and Nick Diaz to name a few. Marijuana is especially helpful during the recovery period, where athletes typically used CBD topicals to relieve muscle pain and joint stiffness. 

What to do if you want to use cannabis for exercise 

Marijuana will give you a better workout by making your session more enjoyable as well as making it easier for you to push through the pain because marijuana influences your pain receptors. Marijuana, more specifically THC sativa, can increase motivation which will come in handy when exercising, especially when doing repetitive exercises. It is believed that cannabis can ease muscle tension because it is a natural vasodilator and when you consume, your veins enlarge which increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. 

Cannabis can also reduce inflammation which is important during recovery when your muscles are tender. Rest is another important aspect of recovery because this allows muscles to grow and cannabis is known to induce restful sleep. To get started, you should try vaping or consuming edibles before working out. There are a lot of consumption devices available on dankstop.com, so you can choose based on your preference. You can also use topicals on your muscles and joints after your workout and perhaps consume cannabis before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep. It’s important to regulate your dosage according to your weight and tolerance since consuming too much can cause lethargy. THC should be used for the actual workout while CBD should be used for recovery.

Pros and cons of using marijuana before, during, and after a workout

Pre-workout marijuana use will help you get into the spirit of exercise and give you more energy, focus, and motivation. Pre-workout consumption will also activate your pain receptors which will be beneficial for your workout. Post-workout marijuana use is more for relaxation and recovery which is vital. For post-workout, you want to focus on the medical benefits of marijuana such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and inducing sleep. 

When consuming marijuana, make sure that you stay hydrated at all times because dry mouth is common and will be very unpleasant during a workout session. To optimize your workout, consider a sativa which will give you energy as well as motivation. For recovery, try indica which will calm and relax your body.