Does weed affect your workout and make it easier to reach your fitness goals?
It’s a question many athletes are asking themselves these days due to the legalization of cannabis in various US states. For some people, the idea of smoking buds from Girl Scout Cookie seeds while trying to get into shape is counter-intuitive. Yet, as we learn more about marijuana plants, the more we discover the potential benefits they hold.
So is it worth lighting up a joint before heading to the gym?
Here we take a look at the potential positive and negative impacts cannabis can have on your workout routine.
Let’s get started.
Positive Impacts of Weed on Your Fitness
The introduction of medical marijuana has opened the world’s eyes to the plethora of wellness benefits provided by cannabis. Below, we take you through five ways weed could potentially assist your daily workout.
1. Reduces Inflammation
Multiple medical studies show that weed holds powerful anti-inflammatory qualities and could help you recover from an injury quickly. Consuming cannabis after your workout is best, allowing your body to repair itself without being overworked.
To experience this positive impact, athletes should also stick to CBD oils and strains and avoid cultivars with high THC.
Topical creams and tinctures allow you to directly target inflamed areas on your body. These non-invasive methods also mean you avoid the typical health risks associated with smoking.
2. Eases Muscle Spasms
Another potentially positive impact of combining cannabis with your fitness routine is its relaxing effects. While some people utilize indica-dominant strains to alleviate physical stress, athletes could use them to treat muscle spasms.
So, does weed kill muscles?
Various studies on rodents also suggest that marijuana could aid in the recovery of your muscles after a heavy gym session. While these benefits still need to be proved in human trials, there’s an influx of reports that support these claims.
3. Targets Pain and Soreness
One of the most popular uses of medical marijuana is its ability to reduce physical pain experienced by patients. Some athletes have found these properties incredibly helpful in treating soreness in their bodies after a workout.
Cannabis is also shown to be a suitable alternative to using painkillers. As a result, you can avoid becoming addicted to prescribed opiates and the toxic chemicals they release into your body.
4. Better Sleeping Patterns
Getting proper sleep is just as crucial to your fitness routine as regular exercise and a healthy diet. One late night or a bout of insomnia can quickly throw a spanner in the works and disrupt your workout pattern.
Marijuana can improve the quality of your sleep, allowing you to perform your best when you hit the gym. Consuming CBD before bed is better than ingesting THC as it won’t make you feel groggy the following day.
5. Improved Mental Activity
According to a study in 2017, regular low doses of THC may improve your cognitive functions rather than damage them. Some athletes have discovered that this positive benefit improves their energy and focus during a workout.
But how does weed affect gym performance?
Sativa-dominant strains have become synonymous with uplifting effects and could help you find the motivation to exercise. These types of cannabis cultivars can also make it easier to find your flow in the gym.
Potential Risks of Mixing Cannabis with Exercise
Although marijuana could assist with various aspects of your workout, there are some potential risks you should be aware of. Below we take you through four of the primary health concerns regular cannabis use can lead to while exercising.
1. Damaged Lungs
A question that often crops up is how does smoking weed affect stamina?
One of the most significant risks associated with this form of consumption is the potential damage it can have on your lungs. Getting oxygen to your brain and muscles is vital when you’re working out, so it’s best to avoid smoking altogether.
Luckily there are many different alternatives that allow you to enjoy the benefits of weed while reducing its health risks. If you plan on combining cannabis with your fitness routine, consider using oils, capsules, or a topical cream.
2. Lower Motor Skills
Consuming marijuana with high THC before going to the gym could slow down your reaction times and motor skills. The last thing you want is to lose your balance while you’re using heavy weights or doing resistance training.
Instead, it’s best to ingest low doses of THC once you’ve completed your fitness session. That way, you won’t hamper your performance in the gym, and you can utilize weed’s effects to assist with recovery.
3. Increased Chance of Depression
Although cannabis is said to help with anxiety and depression, there’s evidence to suggest long-term use can increase these conditions. These disorders can significantly impact your motivation to work out and expose you to other physical problems.
Increased mental stress will raise your cortisol levels and can quickly lead to a weakened immune system and weight gain. These conditions lower your blood sugar, making you feel tired and lethargic.
4. Higher Risk of Heart Attacks
An increased heart rate is a common side effect of exercising and is incredibly beneficial to your fitness. However, consuming marijuana before a workout puts additional strain on your body and can trigger a heart attack.
The Lowdown on Using Weed to Exercise
So, does weed affect your workout routine?
It can, but the positive impacts depend on how often you ingest weed and the potency of the selected strain.
Smoking cannabis is not the best option if you’re trying to improve your fitness. Instead, it’s recommended to use CBD oil or topical creams to benefit from this plant’s flowers without the obvious health risks.
There’s a lack of scientific evidence that proves whether these positive and negative impacts are for sure. However, many people claim that consuming cannabis after a workout is more beneficial than before.
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to exercise, why not combine a high CBD strain with your workout routine? Order marijuana seeds online today for some homegrown buds that could help you achieve your fitness goals.
