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Is cannabis good for exercise?

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Despite decades of being associated with inactivity, cannabis could actually be just what we need to get our bodies moving.

Everyone knows the old stereotype of a ‘pothead’. A lazy couch potato with a bong who gets nothing done, especially not personal care like exercise. But those old stigmas could be nothing further from the truth. Consuming marijuana (and other forms of cannabis) may be exactly what more people need to get up off the couch and get their bodies moving.

A global need for physical activity

Today, billions of people around the world do not get enough exercise. Rates of obesity around the world have risen over the past few decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports worldwide obesity has “nearly tripled” since 1975. 

The number of people aged 18 and older who are overweight is more than 1.9 billion. That’s about one out of every four adults who could benefit from more exercise.

Exercise is one of the main factors in maintaining a healthy weight. According to experts at Harvard University in Boston Massachusetts, USA, people need about 30 minutes of moderate exercise on a daily basis.  The time is reduced depending on the intensity of the exercise. People who do more intense exercise need less time before their exercise needs are met.

But, getting off the couch is not always the easiest proposition. Pain, inflammation and past injury can be devastating for those who experience them. No one wants to exercise when it doesn’t feel good.

Then there’s the issue of motivation. Some people have it and others don’t. Getting regular exercise is about building a habit. Habits are created through repetition, and repetition through consistency. If you have something to look forward to building a habit of regular exercise is easier. This is where cannabis comes in.

Healthy ‘stoner’?

We’ve come a long way in a short period of time. Studies from 2004, show the old way of approaching cannabis and health. There’s a strong anti-marijuana tone and the concern of passive inhalation, a fallacy. It’s due to the stigma plaguing marijuana use.

For years people assumed the worst about marijuana. Part of that stigma is the notion that cannabis consumers sit around and do nothing all day but eat, watch TV, and play video games.

The old stereotypes have held people back for decades, especially in the area of health. As more places replaced prohibitive law with more marijuana-friendly ones the research grows and we know more about the benefits of cannabis than ever before.

Today this research on the benefits of cannabis is tearing down erroneous beliefs. Experts and the general public are coming to know cannabis and the effects it has on our health.

Cannabis-use and exercise

Exercise is one of the areas of health researchers believe cannabis use can improve. A recent study reveals cannabis use is linked to an increase in exercise. The data was collected from more than 1,200 survey participants. The results show adults who use cannabis are more likely to exercise than those with no history of marijuana use.

The common conception of the inactive adult pot smoker is entirely wrong. There is a positive relationship between marijuana use and exercise.

There are some exercises cannabis may not be good with such as resistance training. Use before or after or both may be better depending on both the type of activity. It’s always best to do the research.

Approval from sports leagues

This relationship extends to sports as well. Recent headlines suggest major sports leagues are loosening their restrictions. Past restrictions against the use of nature’s most benefit-giving plant.

These two examples illustrate the point.

1) the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America tests for marijuana use but does not penalise players for a positive.

2) Major League Baseball (MBL) in North America removed marijuana from the list of banned substances.

Both leagues treat high levels of marijuana like alcohol, even though alcohol is toxic at high levels and marijuana is not.

Other leagues have yet to permit marijuana. Some are in the process of allowing it. But not all.

Retired athletes who still take their health seriously choose marijuana. Injuries from the field caused inflammation and pain. So they rely on some form of cannabis for relief.

Getting daily exercise with cannabis use

Daily exercise is one of the cornerstones of personal health. Reject it and the whole muscular-skeletal system will disintegrate. The good news is, there’s no reason why you can’t get daily exercise while using cannabis.

In fact, athletes prefer marijuana for its benefits. A 2019 study of 605 adult cannabis users in states with full legalisation showed cannabis use is preferred. The majority (81.7 percent) of the participants endorsed the cannabis feeling during exercise. Cannabis use before and after exercising was enjoyable. Not a bad motivator!

Why athletes prefer marijuana

Marijuana has fewer side effects than pain medication. Athletes can use it with no hangover or dehydration, plus they don’t need to worry they will go into withdrawal while filling their prescription.

But there are a few side effects worth thinking about. Smoking cannabis is not good for the lungs and people with a history of heart disease should consult a physician. There are also very good reasons why a non-adult should not use cannabis.

Overall the benefits of cannabis are vast. We have only begun to uncover what this plant can do for the human body and are even discovering marijuana use is connected with lower Body Mass Index (BMI).

As our knowledge of cannabis increases, we discover the relationship between cannabis and our well-being strengthens.

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Cannabis Health is a journalist-led news site. Any views expressed by interviewees or commentators do not reflect our own. All content on this site is intended for educational purposes, please seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about any of the issues raised.

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