Can smoking weed improve your workout and training?

by druginc

Can smoking weed improve your workout and training?

There are competitions where you are encouraged to run “high” and gyms in California and also Denver, Colorado that are dedicated to a “stoned” workout. But what is really happening if you smoke weed and then start running, jumping or fitness?

"How marijuana affects your training or performance largely depends on the type of exercise and purpose at hand," says Jordan Tishler, MD, an internist trained by Harvard and a leading specialist in cannabis therapy.

And to be clear, not much scientific research has been done on marijuana and exercise yet. One of the few studies recently published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport reports that marijuana reduces peak performance. Researchers only looked at it qualitatively, so we don't know how much of an effect smoking weed would have on your workout, Tishler explains. But for a race, competition, or even deadlift PR, you want to be your best - so skip the cannabis in that case.

That said: while smoking weed before training can reduce your peak performance, anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis smoking may increase pleasure in some activities, especially activities with repetitive movements, Tishler explains.

"When you run on a treadmill, cannabis can make it more fun, so you are more motivated to run longer and run more and more."

There are also a few risks of doing a workout while stoned. Cannabis can increase your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, so for irritated “pumped up” guys who already have higher adrenaline levels in their bodies, “high” training can actually increase the chances of getting dizzy. "It shouldn't be that much of a problem, but it's wise to be aware of this and not go for the biggest workout of your life the first time you train" high, "added Tishler.

In other cases, you should stay away from it if you are doing activities that require quick decision making. “Cannabis can be good for focus and repetition, but it won't necessarily improve your critical judgment or timing, ”Says Tishler. For some people, getting "high" increases your chances of making risky decisions, meaning you want to stay away from things like cycling or rock climbing while "high," according to older studies.

A HIIT workout while you're high can also be too hard. Studies show that THC messes with your reaction time and your perception of short intervals (no one wants a set of “mountain climbers” to last longer than necessary). Plus, the diminished sense of focus means you're probably not staying on top of your form and motivation like you should.

In short

Stay away from weed on the day of an important competition or training where a high responsiveness is required and there is a higher risk that you have to be able to judge sharply in terms of safety.

When it comes to more standard workouts, such as running, gentle cycling, lifting weights - depending on what your biggest obstacle or goal is - cannabis will help or get in your way.

“If you're a serious gym buff, cannabis can hurt performance a little bit, and that can be a deal-breaker. But if you're more of a weekend warrior or trying to start a new sport like running, cannabis can help you overcome the discomfort of taking the effort, ”says Tishler.

Wanna try?

Assuming you live in a place where recreational marijuana use is legal, Tishler recommends testing it “stoned during the workout” only with a short, low-risk workout where peak performance is not critical - not during your deadlift max. or on sprint training day, but maybe on a short run of a few miles.

And in that case, skip the edibles: it's unpredictable how long it will take for them to start working. Instead, Tishler says the healthiest way to take it is to vaporize it (some oils and cartridges contain chemicals from the extraction process).

Finally, as any weed lover can guess, the strain matters. “My patients who are athletes consume high-end, specialized cannabis strains that help them focus and stay in the zone while exercising,” said Junella Chin, MD, an integrative medical practitioner in New York and California, specializing in medicinal cannabis and osteopathic neuromuscular medicine. "In that case, my patients who practice yoga are using a very different strain to help with stretching, flexible poses and relaxation and to meditate in a whole new level of consciousness."

Talk to the specialist at your local coffee shop about what you're looking for - they should be able to help you properly.

Read the full article on MensJournal (EN, source)

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