Cannabis has become increasingly popular in recent years as laws and attitudes toward the drug have changed. This has led many fitness enthusiasts to wonder if cannabis can play a beneficial role in exercise routines and recovery. There are certainly potential upsides, but also risks if misused or misunderstood. In this article, we'll explore the facts around integrating cannabis into fitness regimens and health routines.
The main thesis is that cannabis offers some intriguing benefits like reducing pain and inflammation, enhancing enjoyment, and improving sleep quality. However, it also comes with drawbacks if used irresponsibly, including impaired coordination and cognition. Dosage and timing are critical, and cannabis use should be tailored to your specific goals and activity types. As with any supplement, you should consult your physician before use. When used judiciously under professional guidance, cannabis may be a useful addition. But recreational use could undermine your performance and health. We aim to provide unbiased information so you can make informed choices about intelligently integrating cannabis into your fitness journey.
Cannabis Can Enhance Motivation and Enjoyment
One of the ways cannabis may benefit certain fitness routines is by enhancing motivation and enjoyment of exercise. The main psychoactive compound in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is known as the "feel good" neurotransmitter and is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
By increasing dopamine levels, THC can make working out a more enjoyable experience for some individuals. The heightened mood and reduction in feelings of fatigue or boredom during exercise can increase motivation to stick to a workout routine. This is supported by research indicating that cannabis consumers exercise more on average than non-consumers.
For activities like running, cycling, strength training, or other repetitive exercises, cannabis may help some people find their groove and rhythm. The increased enjoyment provides intrinsic motivation to keep going. However, effects will vary based on the individual, dosage, and type of activity. Those new to combining cannabis and exercise should start slowly and cautiously monitor their response.
Cannabis May Reduce Pain and Inflammation
One of the most common reasons people use cannabis in relation to fitness is for reducing pain and inflammation, especially after hard workouts or injuries. This is because cannabis contains cannabinoids like CBD that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
When we exercise intensely, our muscles incur small amounts of muscle damage at the microscopic level. This triggers inflammation as part of the natural healing process. Too much inflammation can impair recovery and performance, so controlling inflammation is important. CBD has been found to limit excessive inflammation through several biological mechanisms.
For example, CBD may activate receptors in the endocannabinoid system involved in immune regulation. It can also limit the production of inflammatory cytokines. This helps reduce pain and expedite recovery. Numerous studies have shown CBD administration decreases swelling, immune cell infiltration, and pain in animal models of inflammation.
Anecdotal evidence from athletes using cannabis to treat exercise-induced inflammation supports the scientific findings. However, most research has been in animal models, so human trials are still needed. But early research is promising that cannabis can aid fitness through reducing unwanted inflammation without major side effects. Proper dosing is important, as is considering potential risks like impaired cognition or lung health. Under medical supervision, cannabis presents a promising natural supplement for aiding post-workout recovery.
Cannabis May Improve Sleep Quality
Getting enough quality sleep is essential for muscle recovery, tissue repair, energy, focus, and overall health. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts struggle with poor sleep due to discomfort, restlessness, stress, or busy schedules. Cannabis may help with falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, and achieving more restorative deep sleep.
The intoxicating THC compound in cannabis has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and increase slow wave sleep. Slow wave sleep is the deep, restorative sleep stage when the body repairs muscles, bones, and tissue. CBD may also improve sleep by reducing anxiety and pain. One study found that CBD increased total sleep time and reduced insomnia severity in people with chronic pain. Other cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis, such as myrcene and CBN, also exhibit sedative effects.
Proper dosing is important, as higher doses of THC can lead to next-day drowsiness. Consider using a low dose THC/CBD tincture, edible, or vape 30-60 minutes before bedtime. This can relax the mind and body to optimize sleep quality without hangover effects. Maintaining good sleep hygiene habits like limiting screen time is still important. Talk to your doctor before using cannabis for sleep issues. With responsible use, cannabis may be an effective tool for improving sleep to support fitness goals.
Cannabis Can Impair Coordination and Cognition
The psychoactive compound THC in cannabis can impair balance, reaction time, and focus. This is because THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain which are involved in movement coordination.
Several studies have shown that acute cannabis use can negatively impact motor control and cognition. One study found that cannabis use impaired standing balance and increased body sway. Another study showed cannabis use slowed reaction time and information processing.
The impacts on coordination and cognition can last for several hours after consuming cannabis. This may increase injury risk with intense exercise that requires quick reactions, precision, and focus like weightlifting, gymnastics, or competitive sports.
If consuming cannabis before exercise, it's best to choose less intense activities like yoga, pilates, hiking or light cardiovascular exercise. Start with a very low THC dose and see how your body responds before increasing. Consider using CBD-dominant cannabis strains or products that produce less cognitive impairment.
The coordination and cognition effects are most pronounced in new cannabis users. Those with a tolerance may experience less impairment. However, erring on the side of caution is recommended when mixing cannabis and intense exercise.
Cannabis May Negatively Impact Respiratory Health
One potential downside of cannabis use is its impact on respiratory health, especially when smoked. The smoke from cannabis contains toxins and tar that can irritate the lungs. Chronic smoking could lead to coughing, increased phlegm, and wheezing.
More concerning is that habitual smoking of cannabis may cause airway inflammation and affect lung function over time. Studies show that regular cannabis smokers can have obstructed airways and damaged lung tissues. This impairs the ability to take deep breaths and absorb oxygen.
For athletes and those doing cardiovascular exercise, compromised lung function can significantly impact performance. Even occasional use can reduce lung capacity in the short term after smoking. This makes it harder to sustain aerobic activity or reach peak exertion levels.
The key is moderation. Those who smoke cannabis lightly or occasionally are unlikely to experience significant lung issues. But heavy, chronic use does pose respiratory risks similar to tobacco smoking. For fitness-focused cannabis users, nonsmoking options like edibles, oils, or vaping are likely preferable to protect lung health.
Cannabis May Affect Hydration and Body Temperature
THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its core temperature. This is because THC activates cannabinoid receptors in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain responsible for functions like body temperature regulation.
When core body temperature rises, such as during exercise, the hypothalamus helps cool the body down by increasing sweat production and blood flow to the skin. However, THC seems to disrupt the hypothalamus's ability to properly control these cooling mechanisms.
Studies have shown that exercising or spending time in a hot environment like a sauna or steam room after consuming THC can lead to greater increases in core body temperature. This effect appears most pronounced with higher doses of THC.
Staying hydrated with water is critical for those using cannabis before or during fitness activities, especially in hot conditions like hot yoga classes. THC's interference with temperature regulation already makes it easier to become overheated. Dehydration exacerbates this effect and also independently raises core temperature.
Consuming adequate water before, during, and after exercise is always important. But it becomes even more essential if using cannabis to offset its hydration-related side effects. Pay close attention to your fluid intake as well as any feelings of excessive thirst or overheating with cannabis use.
Proper Dosing is Critical
When integrating cannabis into a fitness routine, proper dosing is critical to maximize potential benefits while minimizing impairment. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts are exploring the concept of microdosing cannabis. Microdosing involves consuming very small doses of cannabis - on the order of 2-10mg of THC - to achieve subtle benefits without the more pronounced high feeling.
Benefits of microdosing reported by some fitness enthusiasts include improved focus, stress reduction, better mood, reduced inflammation and pain, and enhanced recovery. The minimal psychoactive effect allows microdosing to be paired with various types of exercise. With microdosing, coordination and motor control remain largely unaffected, reducing injury risk.
Proper dosing requires carefully controlling the amount of cannabis used and timing of consumption. The cannabis dose should be tailored to your individual physiology and tolerance. Many recommend starting with 2-3mg of THC and increasing slowly as needed. It's best to avoid consuming cannabis within 2-3 hours before intensive training or competition when coordination and reaction time are paramount. After a tough workout, a small dose of cannabis may help with pain, inflammation and sleep quality.
Work closely with your healthcare provider to determine if microdosing could be beneficial and discuss any potential contraindications based on your health. Proper dosing of cannabis takes experimentation, so increase amounts gradually while monitoring effects. With a thoughtful approach, microdosing cannabis may provide advantages for some fitness enthusiasts without significant impairment.
Consider Your Goals and Activity Type
When integrating cannabis into your fitness routine, it's important to carefully consider your goals and the types of activities you engage in. Certain cannabis strains and consumption methods may pair better with some activities over others.
For example, if your main goal is muscle growth and strength training, an indica strain may help reduce muscle fatigue and soreness after intense lifting sessions. The body high from indicas can make the repetitiveness of lifting weights more enjoyable. Just be mindful of dosage - too much THC can impair coordination.
If you're a long-distance runner or cyclist, a stimulating sativa may give you an energizing, uplifting high that enhances aerobic endurance activities. But again, moderation is key - being overly high could throw off your pace and rhythm.
Cannabis use is less compatible with activities requiring fine motor skills and fast reaction times, like gymnastics or rock climbing. Being impaired could increase injury risk. Recreational or competitive athletes should avoid cannabis close to events due to cognitive and psychomotor effects.
Consider cannabis strains and products designed specifically for athletes and active individuals if you decide to integrate it into training. And always start low and slow with dosing - it’s better to take too little than too much when combining cannabis and exercise. Monitor how different strains and methods uniquely affect you.
Talk to Your Doctor Before Use
As with any supplement or medication, it's important to discuss cannabis use with your doctor before incorporating it into your fitness routine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
Cannabis can interact with other medications and may not be right for everyone. Those with heart conditions, for example, could be at higher risk for side effects. Your doctor can review your medical history, any prescription medications you take, and considerations specific to your health status.
Some key things to discuss with your doctor:
- How cannabis may interact with your current medications or conditions
- Safe dosage guidance and options like CBD vs THC
- Potential side effects like increased heart rate
- Precautions around operating equipment or driving while under the influence
- Risks associated with smoking as a delivery method
Your doctor can also provide referrals or recommendations if you do decide to use cannabis. Some physicians are more knowledgeable about medical cannabis than others. Finding one familiar with appropriate usage and dosing will ensure you get the best guidance.
An open and honest conversation with your doctor can help you avoid potential issues and have the best experience if you choose to use cannabis as part of your fitness and recovery practices. They can help you determine if it's the right choice for you given your health history and goals.