Do cannabis’ positive side effects outweigh its adverse effects in enhancing athletic performance?
Experts on medicine, fitness and the cannabis industry discuss how weed may affect your fitness.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, marijuana can enhance performance!
The following are five reasons why Cannabis positively affects your athletic performance.
Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation in muscles and joints is one of the most promising areas of cannabis research. The nonpsychoactive cannabinoid CBD found in marijuana has been found to ease inflammation in many studies. Researchers are exploring its potential for treating autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s, Lupus, and Psoriasis.
Adam Brous recommends marijuana to his clients and uses it in his practice as a yoga instructor and founder of Ganja Guru Yoga in Denver, Colorado.
Brous recommends topical products for athletes who want to benefit from CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties without getting high or smoking Cannabis.
Jamie Feaster, formerly a Division 1 college pole vaulter and now a marketing executive at marijuana delivery startup Eaze, resorted to CBD after rupturing his Achilles tendon due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Feaster said: “I appreciated the CBD lotion, which I found very beneficial for my health. CBD is my preferred form since it tends to have the strongest anti-inflammatory properties.”
Ease Soreness and Pain
Anti-inflammation is one area of cannabis research that has shown many positive results since Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties help to alleviate pain. For anyone looking for an alternative to dangerous, habit-forming opiates, marijuana can relieve pain caused by chronic pain, muscle spasms, or acute pain.
It is common for people to believe marijuana is harmful as a result of social norms. However, studies have shown that cannabis compounds can help manage pain, reduce stress, reduce inflammation, and reduce oxidative damage, among other things. An injury often leads to strong addictions and potential toxicity in people who are prescribed powerful painkillers. CBD and high-grade THC extracts may be the best choice for someone with an injury to manage pain and inflammation.
A gunshot wound severely injured Chris Louie, the founder of Colorado-based cannabis startup Made in Xiaolin. Cannabis saved his life when he replaced his prescription for Morphine (a powerful opioid) which caused him to suffer overwhelming withdrawal symptoms between refilling his prescription and another drug called Neurontin, which led him to contemplate suicide. In addition to helping him with physical pain, Cannabis has significantly improved his mental health and quality of life.
Treat Muscle Spasms
It is also possible to use Cannabis to treat muscle spasms associated with diseases like Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Athletes with spasms and cramps may also find Cannabis beneficial. “The compound’s anti-inflammatory properties have beneficial effects on rodents’ muscle recovery,” says Dr. Erich Anderer.
Scientists need to do more research on athletes without any of these disorders since cannabis’ health benefits are a new area of study.
Improve Sleep
In addition to inducing sleep, THC can benefit people with sleep apnea, suppress dreams, and even treat post-traumatic stress disorder. CBD can also ease REM sleep disorder (where people relive their dreams) and daytime fatigue, which could benefit athletes.
According to a study, 95% of respondents used Cannabis to reduce their dependence on sleeping and anxiety medications, which can be habit-forming and have many side effects.
Improve Mental Acuity
There is no proof that marijuana has detrimental effects on brain function, contrary to popular belief. According to a study published in Nature Medicine in June 2017, Regular, low doses of THC restore the cognitive function of old mice.
KEY POINTS
- Recreational and performance-related use of Cannabis is widespread among athletic populations.
- Various cannabinoids exert their effects through cannabinoid receptors unique to Cannabis.
- There are several ways to consume Cannabis, and the method and composition of cannabinoids affect how it works.
Conclusion
The myth that “stoners” are lazy has been perpetuated for decades. However, we are finding that many cannabis users are smaller and more active than their peers.
As it turns out, people can’t be judged by what they consume. Despite 40% of violent crimes committed under the influence of alcohol, we don’t automatically assume that someone drinking a beer is violent. It is also unfair to believe that people who smoke pot will be lazy.
Nonetheless, Cannabis can help fuel your workout and help with muscle spasms, reducing inflammation and help recovery. As mentioned in this article, cannabis can also benefit people with injuries and sleep problems by avoiding highly addictive drugs that can cause overdoses and various health problems.