Okay, so this must be a joke or some ridiculous thought… right? Well contrary to popular belief and what many athletes are now claiming, cannabis and exercise go hand in hand. After much research into this I can clearly see and understand ‘the marriage’ or ‘union’ of cannabis and exercise is certainly something to consider, if you are looking at getting ripped and having fun while doing it!

Let’s break it down…

Before we begin with the many benefits let’s address the few cautions one might have. When it comes to cannabis one of the most important things to understand is your relationship with the plant, how it affects you, your mind and your body. According to Dr. Dustin Sulak an osteopathic physician, cannabis or marijuana has a bidirectional effect, which means with different individuals and different dosages, you can see the exact opposite effect!

- “Give it someone who is anxious and it might relax them, give it to someone who is relaxed and it might just make them anxious.”

Also what must be made clear is persons under the age of 18 should steer clear of cannabis as a whole, the active ingredients act in the part of the brain called hippocampus and alter the way information is processed and how memories are formed – this is the case when the brain is still developing. Think of it like this, if your endocannabinoid system receives plenty cannabinoids from the marijuana intake then would your bodies want to make their own? In your later years’ studies have shown those who use marijuana in early adult years are less likely to have impaired cognitive functions and have shown to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease even after years of use. You can read more about the benefits of cannabis use here.

If you partake fast pace sports, caution should also be taken as cannabis can increase your heart rate by 20% or more for up to 3 hours therefore for some athletes this may be an issue.

- Some people get high and their muscle memory locks in and they feel invincible, while some people get high and fall apart.

However, with all that being said, let’s get into the real fun part – how cannabis can actually assist with exercise.

Cannabis can help you tolerate discomfort

Our bodies are littered with cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, these receptors respond to pain, when marijuana is consumed its chemical compounds bind to the receptors in the brain and body that regulate pain, mood, appetite, memory and affects how these receptors respond and perceive it. Cannabis or ‘pot’ gives you more endurance and allows you to bust out a few more reps, go the extra mile on the treadmill or aid in going deeper into your body stretches. When exercising the endocannabinoid system will release cannabinoids to facilitate your body in coping with the stress of physical activity. Consuming cannabis before exercising is like giving yourself a double dose of these protective qualities. This gives you a chance to push through the mental and tolerable physical discomfort you may be experiencing. But remember it’s important not to push through any legit pain or when the body is begging for a break.

- Just as endorphins help you push through an intense workout, these endocannabinoids could increase your pain threshold to do the same.

Zone in, be more focused

We all know the stereotype of a zoned-out stoner, but a lot more people are finding it makes them ‘super-focused’ and motivated. It is believed that while exercising with the use of cannabis you will train smarter and be more focused on the specific muscle group you are training. You are able to work out without thinking too much, your mind is free to tune into your body, making any repetitive workouts a lot less intense and bothersome. If your brain isn’t working overtime then at the end of your workout you are guaranteed to feel more clear and energized. Studies have also shown that low doses of THC increase motor activity in mice — so maybe a bit of pot could equal a little extra speed.

- Cannabis allows you to go into a controlled meditative state, train smarter and zone in.

Speeds up your recovery time

Speeding up your recovery means higher performance and better results. Thanks to CBD found in cannabis, the non-psychoactive compound well known for its therapeutic effects has shown to enhance immune system function, stop muscle spasms and seizures, decrease inflammation and pain allowing your muscle the chance to repair and grow quickly. – Awesome news!

What's more, a fascinating study done at the University of Bordeaux in France found that while the brain is exposed to marijuana, it reacts to the THC by producing more pregnenolone. That chemical is a precursor to the natural steroids produced by the body, it is often used as a supplement to increase energy and reduce fatigue.

Let’s be honest – It’s way more fun!

Ever heard of runners high? Well, guess what it’s the same as a typical ‘stoners high’. Get this, it’s not just the endorphins that make physical activity so great, a study done in 2003 found that exercise actually activates the endocannabiniod system in the same way that the cannabis plant does, researchers found that human produced cannabinoids increase as you exercise, causing you to feel a little “high”. Seems even runners are chasing the ‘high’.

Let’s face it… the main performance-enhancing properties of cannabis can't be measured by split times or heart rate. Enjoying the day-to-day training is a huge part of the experience. And we don't need science to prove that, a little pot can make nearly anything more fun.

Ladies say goodbye to those unwanted ‘Muffin Tops’…

So this goes beyond exercise, weed increases your metabolism regular consumers have lower average waist circumferences, fact! Using cannabis before a workout will increase your fat burning ridding the body of excess fat faster. Those who use the herb regularly also have 17% lower insulin resistance as well as lower cholesterol.

- All you need to know is—cannabinoids assist in telling your body to burn sugar.

And for all my ‘Marley-Babes’, exercising can increase your high by 15% due to the fact that THC is stored in your fat cells, when exercising the body metabolizes fat, when the body burns fat small amounts of THC is released back into the bloodstream…

Now, this is important, use less than you normally would. Micro-dose your cannabis, you want to take just enough, like 2 or 3 puffs of a vaporizer or 1 to 2 drops of a tincture. You certainly don’t want to have a full bowl or session, laziness could kick in and then you can say bye bye to your workout, lol.

Another important thing, you want to steer clear of actually ‘smoking’ the plant, smoke has many unwanted carcinogens that invade our lungs and up the risk of pulmonary issues like bronchitis. While exercising your body needs as much oxygen as possible so try using a herbal vaporizer (like the Arizer Solo 2 or the PAX 3 to name a couple of good portable vapes), this won’t burn your cannabis and you avoid the harmful smoke from rolling papers. Also, avoid using any unregulated cannabis concentrates as they may contain unwanted chemicals.

There are unfortunately no clinical trials and whether cannabis really gives athletes an edge has yet to be proven with exercise science and very few professional athletes are comfortable coming out with marijuana helping them train smarter due to the legality of the plant. However, with the steady climb to legalization worldwide, we are slowly shaking off the stigma of cannabis and those athletes who have spoken about it, sing its praise.

Well, I have been giving this a try and loving it, whether I’m stretching out on my yoga mat or going for a jog around the neighborhood, cannabis has helped me to focus on my body and go deeper into my workout.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to jot them below, I look forward to hearing the experiences of others.

For now, Blessings to you all

Mary-Jane, Vape Store