The myth that all cannabis users are lazy “stoners” who do nothing but eat chips and watch Netflix is debunked. In the era of cannabis having mainstream appeal, the plant and its many compounds are being used for a number of beneficial purposes. From using CBD to treat child seizures to using 1:1 ointments to treat joint pain caused by arthritis, cannabis is quickly establishing itself as a “Swiss army knife” of sorts. One use for cannabis that many may not fully understand is as a supplement for athletic individuals. According to a study by PubMed, cannabis is the second most used drug by athletes. Understanding the relationship between cannabis and fitness is key to unlocking the plant’s myriad of affects beneficial to those who consider fitness to be an important part of their lives.
Sore? Cannabis is Here to Help
Those who work out often understand the constant soreness that the body can go through during bouts of excessive exercise. This soreness can be a major issue for those who expect to be able to work out every day. To ensure recovery, cannabis can be an option for some. There are a number of studies reading into cannabis’ ability to treat pain and soreness. One study found that Sativex, a drug consisting of THC and CBD at a 1:1 ratio could treat pain. The study found, “Numerous randomized clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy for Sativex in central and peripheral neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer pain.”
Forms of Exercise that Pair Best with Cannabis
While cannabis can be an excellent tool for recovery after a workout, it can also be used to enhance your performance during a workout. Even olympic great Michael Phelps has talked about his use of cannabis as a positive. There are a number of exercises that can be enhanced by the use of cannabis. For example, the relationship between cannabis and yoga is strong. Many regular yoga practitioners like to consume high THC cannabis to help them enter a more relaxed state of mind that is paramount to a successful yoga practice.
Another new trend that is taking hold is consuming cannabis before walking or jogging. Avery Collins, a lightning fast ultra-marathoner from Colorado says cannabis while running drastically enhances his performance. In a New York Times article, Collins said, “it allowed me to be very present and not to worry as much about overall times and what’s going on with the run.”
The number of possible uses for cannabis is endless. It can be a life-altering medicine for some or a laugh-inducing recreational drug for others. What many are beginning to discover is that it can also be used to enhance athletic performance. Whether companies will begin to exploit this fact is unknown but what is known is that cannabis and fitness seem to be a match made in heaven.
Lane is based in Southern California and is a content curator for Medical Marijuana 411. He spends his free time playing guitar and walking on the beach. He focuses his research into finding informative stories that can help medical marijuana patients better understand their diverse medicine.
