The stereotypical vision of a medical cannabis patient, is someone who is sprawled out on a couch eating nothing but junkfood. Recent research has shown many cannabis strains actually provide the opposite effect. A medical team surveyed 600 cannabis users, 4 out of 5 respondents reported they utilize some form of cannabis prior and post workout. The participants who were utilizing cannabis spent more time in minutes per week exercising and had lower rates of obesity. Your cannabis strain along with an exercise routine can help physically and psychologically in many ways.
A useful way to break down physical exercise is Resistance training vs cardiovascular, or aerobic exercise.
Resistance training: Involves using the bodies muscles to push against a force such as a dumbbell, resistance band, or even just the bodies own weight.
Cardiovascular training: Involves exercises that elevate the heart and respiratory rate significantly beyond the resting rate for a period. Examples of cardio are jogging, skipping rope, swimming, or cycling.
Both exercises have a large overlap in their benefits, but it does seem that there are some exclusive benefits to each, and a quality exercise plan should incorporate both, as well as a stretching/muscle lengthening routine.
The benefits of exercise on weight loss, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, diabetes, sleep and bone health have been known for some time. What is becoming more apparent is the benefits that resistance training and cardio have on brain health both at pathophysiological and psychopathological levels. Brain related conditions like cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression and anxiety all have been shown to be positively treated and managed with moderate physical exercise. Moderate to intense exercise also activates the endocannabinoid system and is thought to contribute to the “runner’s high” often experienced by exercise enthusiasts.
How can we integrate cannabis therapy to supplement our exercise routine?
Scientific data on cannabis and athletic performance is not well developed, but we do know both THC and CBD help manage pain. Sore muscles, joints and inflammation are common after exercise, so using THC and CBD either topically, orally or inhaled post workout can help these types of issues.
But, can cannabis help during or before a workout?
Certainly, reported effects of CBD such as reducing anxiety, improving focus and motivation, and pain relief could be channeled into exercise. One study found that cannabis users who made cannabis part of their workout routine worked out on average 43 minutes more per week than cannabis users who did not. With exercise known to activate the endocannabinoid system, using Phytocannabinoids as a supplement to sort of “start with a runner’s high”, so to speak seems intuitively advantageous. Knowing that something is “working on your side” can be a good motivator.
THC has been shown to cause bronchodilation, so perhaps this could boost performance in cardio sessions, although this should probably be left for the experienced user, as THC can cause coordination issues. If THC is chosen as a sort of “pre-workout”, inhalation via vaporizer is advised to minimize other harmful chemicals that come with burning dry flower, which could hurt cardiovascular performance. Sativa strains with limonene and pinene terpenes would be the option here for there uplifting, energizing and focusing effects. For post workout, strains with myrcene and caryophyllene can be used for their muscle relaxing and sedative effects.
Exercise and cannabis is not without risk, as muscle coordination and short term memory can be affected by THC specifically. THC also carries with it an increased risk of heart attack one hour after consuming, so anyone with cardiac conditions should be very cautious.
Ultimately, exercising with cannabis, like cannabis use itself is a personal journey. Finding a routine that is enjoyable, challenging and convenient enough to complete consistently is important. Cannabis for many is a quality of life enhancer and should be given a fair consideration by anyone wanting to enhance their own exercise routine and overall quality of life.
Written By: Adam MacDonald, Cannabinoid Educator – CHC Charlottetown, PEI.