If one of your goals for the new year is to get in better shape, you might be thinking of different ways you can stay motivated when it comes to sticking to an exercise schedule. What if we told you that cannabis may be able to improve your workouts? Today we’re taking a look at cannabis use and exercise to see if it’s worth trying!

Due to lack of federal legalization, there’s still is a lot of research that needs to be done around the subject of marijuana and exercise but a recent study from CU Boulder found that 80% of cannabis users mix weed and working out, with 70% saying it increases enjoyment, 78% saying it boosts recovery, and 52% saying it motivates them.

When thinking of how it’s possible to improve workouts with cannabis, you should consider these potential benefits:

• Calming Effects – For those who experience anxiety, using weed can be extremely beneficial due to CBD, which is an active ingredient that has been reported to help with anxiety. It may also increase focus during a workout, leading to longer and more productive workout sessions!
• Anti-inflammatory Properties – Marijuana is made up of cannabinoids that contain anti-inflammatory properties. This can be helpful if you experience pain during or after a workout. If you’re experiencing less pain, you’ll be more likely to stick to your routine.
• Increase Mood – Since cannabis is known to stimulate your brain’s feel-good receptors, the endorphins can be useful in keeping you motivated to workout, even on days when you’re not in the mood. It’s also been said to enhance the “runner’s high.”

As with any exercise routine, you should always consult your doctor before beginning. Cannabis isn’t for everyone and each individual’s body and reactions to weed are different. Consult a medical professional before trying cannabis and exercise.

While cannabis use can be used to improve workouts, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you jump right in. If you partake in any competitive sports, cannabis will show up in drug testing so it should be avoided in that case.

Those who are new to smoking or ingesting weed before a workout, also run the risk of injuring themselves if they get too intoxicated. When your decision-making abilities are affected, you could easily drop a weight on yourself or push yourself past your limits, for example.

If you’re ready to improve your workouts with cannabis, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you get started.

Firstly, always start slow. Take a small dose and see how you feel during and after exercise. If you don’t notice much of a difference, you might want to consider upping the dose a little bit at a time. If you jump right into a large dose, you could end up feeling dizzy or lightheaded, making your workout less productive.

You should also consider how you want to use weed. Do you want to smoke, eat an edible or use a tincture? Some methods of consumption will take longer to take effect than others, so that’s something to consider. The way that you consume cannabis may also change depending on the type of exercise you’re doing. For example, if you’re looking to get some extra cardio in, you may want to smoke about an hour before you plan on getting into the exercise. This is because your heart rate rises, causing blood vessels to dilate within the first hour of smoking. When this happens, it can put extra strain on your heart during a cardio session.

The type of strain you take is also an important factor. When starting out, you might want to consider a strain that has a higher percentage of CBD and a lower percentage of THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana so choosing a strain with less THC will make it easier to get started and understand what combination will be the most helpful during your workouts. 

Although weed gets a bad rep for making people lazy and tired, that’s not always the case! In fact, there are many strains that will make you more energized and focused while exercising. As a rule of thumb, you should generally stick to a Sativa strain because they’re known for their uplifting effects, whereas Indica strains will often make you feel tired.

When you’re ready to incorporate cannabis into your workout routine, don’t forget to keep these 5 things in mind!

Do you think it’s possible to improve workouts with cannabis? There’s only one way to find out! After taking the many benefits and tips into consideration, you’re ready to test the waters and see if it will help you reach your health goals this year.

Not sure what weed to try out first? Shop Glass House Farms products near you!

• Always consult a medical professional before embarking on any new workout routine or adding cannabis to any workouts.
• Never consume cannabis and operate heavy machinery including driving a car.
• Avoid any workouts with heavy weights or machinery when you’re using cannabis. Start with walking and running outside or around a track.
• Always start with small doses, see how you feel, and build from there.
• If you’re using edibles, wait up to two hours for effects before taking more.
• Remember to always consume responsibly.

Next, read our blog post, You Don’t Know Cannabis Unless You Understand Terpenes.