Cannabis is a popular substance that has many effects on the human body and mind. Some people use it for medical purposes, while others enjoy it recreationally. But did you know that cannabis can also improve your exercise experience? A recent study has found that using cannabis before physical activity can boost your mood, enjoyment, and motivation.
What is the study about?
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and published in the Journal of Cannabis Research. They surveyed 42 runners who reported using cannabis before exercise, either alone or with other substances. The runners completed two 30-minute jogs on a treadmill, one sober and one under the influence of cannabis. They also answered questions about their perceived benefits and unanticipated experiences related to cannabis and exercise.
What did the study find?
The study found that nearly 60% of the runners said that cannabis helped them to focus or concentrate better during exercise. This could be due to the effects of THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, which can enhance cognitive function and attention. Another 45% of the runners said that cannabis made their workouts go by faster, which could be due to the effects of CBD, another component of cannabis that can reduce pain and anxiety.
The study also found that both THC and CBD can enhance exercise experience, with CBD even outperforming THC in some aspects. For example, CBD was associated with lower heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of stress and relaxation, while THC was associated with higher HRV. This suggests that CBD may have more calming effects than THC.
However, not all effects were positive. The study also found that some runners reported having an experience they did not anticipate or desire while exercising under the influence of cannabis. For example, some runners felt more nauseous, dizzy, or paranoid than usual. These negative experiences may be due to individual differences in tolerance, dosage, or strain.
What are the implications?
The study provides new insights into how cannabis can affect physical activity participation and performance. It shows that cannabis can have both positive and negative effects on exercise experience, depending on various factors such as dose, strain, mode of consumption, and personal preference.
The study also suggests that more research is needed to understand how cannabis interacts with other factors such as genetics, environment, nutrition, sleep quality, and mental health. These factors may influence how people respond to cannabis before exercise and how it affects their health outcomes.
Cannabis is a complex substance that can have different effects on different people. While some people may find it helpful to use cannabis before exercise to enhance their mood and enjoyment, others may find it harmful or unpleasant. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your own preferences and potential risks when using cannabis before physical activity.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic or other related topics such as:
- How legal status affects research on cannabis
- How different strains affect mood and cognition
- How different modes of consumption affect absorption and metabolism
- How different doses affect intensity and duration
- How different environments affect comfort and safety
- How nutrition affects energy levels
- How sleep quality affects recovery
- How mental health affects motivation
You can check out these links:
Can Cannabis Improve Exercise Experience? Runner’s high: Cannabis makes exercise more enjoyable Cannabis makes exercise more fun Weed and workouts: Study finds cannabis can boost exercise motivation
