Boost Your Workout Motivation with Cannabis
Nothing compares to the exhilarating flow of a kickass workout. Whether you’re pounding the pavement, lifting kettlebells, or swimming across a pool, a fantastic workout session leaves you feeling amazing. However, finding the motivation to get started can be a challenge for many. When it’s time to lace up your running shoes, excuses can dampen even the best intentions.
But here’s where cannabis comes in. It could be the key to overcoming workout apathy and finding joy in exercise. Despite common stereotypes of sedentary stoners, evidence suggests that cannabis users actually have a positive relationship with physical activity.
In this article, we delve into the impact of cannabis on your workout routine and explore how individuals combine the benefits of weed with exercise. Uncover the connection between cannabis and fitness for a more rewarding workout experience.
Why Would I Use Weed Before Workout?
The relationship between cannabis and exercise has been primarily explored through surveys and anecdotal reports, shedding light on its impact on different aspects of lifestyle and health. Factors like recreational legalization, increased accessibility to cannabis, and a shift in risk perception have sparked researchers’ curiosity to further investigate its effects. However, conducting controlled cannabis studies remains challenging due to federal restrictions.
In the survey titled “The New Runner’s High?” involving 605 cannabis users, a remarkable 81.7% of participants expressed their endorsement of consuming cannabis alongside exercise. These users highlighted specific advantages, such as heightened motivation, enhanced enjoyment, and quicker recovery. Moreover, 37.5% claimed it even improved their performance.
When it came to consumption methods, individuals who integrated weed into their workouts exhibited a preference for cannabis flower and concentrates over edibles.
Researchers delved deeper into the data to gain insights into the exercise habits of people who used cannabis up to four hours before or after their workout sessions. Among those surveyed, 68.9% consumed weed within one hour before exercise, while 82% used cannabis within four hours after exercise. Notably, 67% of participants opted for cannabis both before and after their workouts.
Interestingly, these cannabis consumers engaged in an average of 159.7 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, surpassing the average of 103.5 minutes for non-consumers. Furthermore, 40% of these cannabis users met or exceeded the American College of Sports Medicine’s recommendations to complete a minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, while only 28.7% of non-consumers achieved this. Fascinating data collected by Whitney Ogle, a cannabis researcher and physical therapist at Humboldt State University, revealed that the 131 survey participants reported enjoying over 55 physical activities while under the influence of cannabis. Notably, 60% favored hiking, 58% preferred yoga, and 50% leaned toward aerobic machines.
The primary reasons cited for using cannabis before physical activity included enhancing focus/concentration (66%), enjoying the exercise experience (65%), and strengthening the mind-body-spirit connection (65%). However, 25% of users also acknowledged that consuming weed before exercise sometimes resulted in unexpected negative experiences, such as elevated heart rate or feeling too intoxicated to continue working out.
How Do I Use Weed With My Workout?
Discover the exciting world of working out with cannabis through platforms like Stoned+Toned, an online workout community founded by cannabis enthusiasts Mike and Morgan English. Offering a variety of 30-minute workouts, from high to low intensity, spin classes like Puff and Pedal, and yoga sessions like Wake and Bake, Stoned+Toned aims to create a safe and judgment-free space where individuals can freely consume cannabis while engaging in physical activities. They even film classes at hemp farms, adding a unique touch to the experience.
Morgan shared her personal journey, stating, “When I discovered cannabis, I felt an instinctive urge to work out for the first time in my life. It deepened the connection between my mind and body.”
Stoned+Toned primarily operates online to provide people with the freedom to consume cannabis without restrictions and work out in a supportive environment. However, they also organize live pop-up events to foster community engagement, where participants can collectively enjoy cannabis before exercising together for 45-60 minutes. At the end of the session, members have the opportunity to connect and share a puff.
According to Mike and Morgan, cannabis can support physical movement in various ways. It helps with pain management and reduces inflammation, allowing individuals to work out without discomfort. Moreover, cannabis enhances the mind-body connection, enabling a deeper level of body awareness and facilitating successful workouts.
When it comes to consumption methods, smoking or vaping are preferred by Mike, Morgan, and most Stoned+Toned members due to the better control over their cannabis experience. However, individuals with asthma tend to opt for low-dose edibles. Regardless of the chosen delivery method, mindful consumption is emphasized as the key.
Only a few hits from a joint or a low-dose edible are needed to achieve the right mindset for movement. At Stoned+Toned classes, participants are encouraged to take a hit or two at the beginning and end of each session. Ultimately, finding the optimal timing and dosage during exercise is a personal journey.
Morgan emphasized, “Both cannabis and movement are deeply personal experiences. It may take some experimentation to find the right balance, but I assure you, it’s worth it to discover what works best for you.”
Does Weed Really Help With Workout?
While the exact reasons behind the uplifting effects of cannabis on exercise remain unclear, researchers have put forth some hypotheses. One possibility is that exercise increases the levels of anandamide, a naturally occurring cannabinoid that promotes feelings of happiness and well-being. Since cannabis acts on the same receptors as anandamide, using weed before a workout might help users experience positive vibes from the start.
Another theory revolves around the psychological aspect. If cannabis enhances the enjoyment of exercise, it can create a positive feedback loop that encourages individuals to engage in physical activities more frequently.
However, existing evidence suggests that cannabis use does not significantly enhance or hinder athletic performance. In a recent review, researchers found no notable differences between cannabis users and non-users in terms of peak workout capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived exertion, strength and endurance, or blood pressure. In other words, consuming weed does not appear to provide a competitive advantage in terms of strength, endurance, or weightlifting.
The effects of chronic cannabis use on athletic performance were also investigated, and once again, no substantial evidence was found to suggest that frequent use (typically defined as at least once per week) significantly impacts workouts. The only discernible difference in one study was a slightly higher resting heart rate among chronic cannabis users.
Based on these findings, the study’s authors concluded that sporting regulatory agencies have little reason to impose restrictions on cannabis use.
IMPORTANT: The information on this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice. The authors of this blog are not medical professionals and disclaim any liability for the use of the information provide.
Medical cannabis professional based in Phuket, Thailand.
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