Steep Hill
Member
Everyone is familiar with the classic New Year’s resolutions: “I’ll develop a consistent workout routine,” or the “I’ll go to the gym three times a week.” Unfortunately, these resolutions fade quickly as the new routine proves too much of a commitment. What if there was a way to combat this lack of motivation effectively? Believe it or not, the answer could lie within the use of cannabis prior to exercising.
Before you go and replace your dry scoop of pre-workout with cannabis, consider the surrounding research. Studies examining the relationship between cannabis and exercise are limited; however, qualitative data from a study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport revealed that cannabis prohibits athletes from achieving peak performance. Although cannabis may not be the best form of pre-workout for competitive sport, experts have found supporting evidence from users that cannabis use positively correlates to the enjoyment of exercise.
Cannabis Induced High vs. Runner’s High
The runner’s high is a term associated with the endorphins released during or after exercise. Endorphins activate the brain’s opioid receptors, triggering a euphoric response within the body, resulting in sensations similar to those of a “high.” Researchers have discovered that people who take opioid-blocking drugs before exercising still reap the blissful benefits of the runner’s high. This observation suggests exercise-induced euphoria originates in the endocannabinoid system, which contains the same receptors in the central nervous system that cannabis targets.
A NeuroReport from 2003 concluded that elevated levels of the endocannabinoid molecule, anandamide, were present within volunteers’ bloodstream after performing cardiovascular exercise in a lab. This conclusion led Bryan to believe that cannabis might aid in jumpstarting the pleasurable feelings associated with exercise-induced endorphins. However, with limited research supporting the positive correlation between cannabis use and physical activity, scientists have relied heavily on surveys to gain further understanding.
In the surveys Bryan conducted of more than 600 cannabis users in the US, approximately 70% of participants who used cannabis before their workout reported a more enjoyable experience. Who would have thought that introducing cannabis to the pre-workout routine was all that was needed to make running on the treadmill more enjoyable? Not only does cannabis make the workout less of a chore, but it also makes the whole gym routine more attainable. An April 2019 study in the Journal Frontiers in Public Health found that cannabis users who sweat while under the influence get more aerobic and anaerobic exercise each week and reported that using cannabis Sativa pre-workout increased their motivation to continue exercising.
The next time you’re packing up your gym bag, consider taking a hit first.
Before you go and replace your dry scoop of pre-workout with cannabis, consider the surrounding research. Studies examining the relationship between cannabis and exercise are limited; however, qualitative data from a study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport revealed that cannabis prohibits athletes from achieving peak performance. Although cannabis may not be the best form of pre-workout for competitive sport, experts have found supporting evidence from users that cannabis use positively correlates to the enjoyment of exercise.
Cannabis Induced High vs. Runner’s High
The runner’s high is a term associated with the endorphins released during or after exercise. Endorphins activate the brain’s opioid receptors, triggering a euphoric response within the body, resulting in sensations similar to those of a “high.” Researchers have discovered that people who take opioid-blocking drugs before exercising still reap the blissful benefits of the runner’s high. This observation suggests exercise-induced euphoria originates in the endocannabinoid system, which contains the same receptors in the central nervous system that cannabis targets.
A NeuroReport from 2003 concluded that elevated levels of the endocannabinoid molecule, anandamide, were present within volunteers’ bloodstream after performing cardiovascular exercise in a lab. This conclusion led Bryan to believe that cannabis might aid in jumpstarting the pleasurable feelings associated with exercise-induced endorphins. However, with limited research supporting the positive correlation between cannabis use and physical activity, scientists have relied heavily on surveys to gain further understanding.
In the surveys Bryan conducted of more than 600 cannabis users in the US, approximately 70% of participants who used cannabis before their workout reported a more enjoyable experience. Who would have thought that introducing cannabis to the pre-workout routine was all that was needed to make running on the treadmill more enjoyable? Not only does cannabis make the workout less of a chore, but it also makes the whole gym routine more attainable. An April 2019 study in the Journal Frontiers in Public Health found that cannabis users who sweat while under the influence get more aerobic and anaerobic exercise each week and reported that using cannabis Sativa pre-workout increased their motivation to continue exercising.
The next time you’re packing up your gym bag, consider taking a hit first.