Does Cannabis Improve Your Athletic Performance?

Medical marijuana is legal in most states and more people are using cannabis as alternative medicine. With more liberal cannabis laws, scientific researches related to it have hiked, along with its pharmaceutical usage.

Many people are using cannabis to manage a medical illness through their 420 card. You can consult an MMJ doctor if you are going through a medical condition on which other medications are not effective.

On the other hand, sports enthusiasts also use cannabis to boost their performances. Cannabis is becoming popular among snowboarders, footballers, mixed martial arts players, and some Olympic athletes too.

Let us have a look at how cannabis can boost your athletic performance.

Cannabis Helps in Reducing Inflammation

Various studies show the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis. CBD(cannabidiol) is one of the active ingredients found in cannabis and is known to ease inflammation. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant and activates the CB2 receptors present in our body. It reduces the oxidative stress levels and inflammation in the body upon consumption.

Assists The Body in Maintaining Equilibrium

You must be familiar with the term runners high. Yes, it’s linked with the endorphins rush when you work out or run. Runners high produces a feeling of euphoria, reduces anxiety, and decrease the ability to feel pain.

Cannabinoids present in cannabis produces a similar effect on our body. It regulates our endocannabinoid system and helps us to maintain homeostasis or a state of equilibrium in our body.

A study based on animal models suggests that THC(tetrahydrocannabinol), helps in increasing motor activity. You could take a drag of cannabis before running to boost up your speed.

Helps in Easing Muscle Pain

Cannabis pain reliving properties could be helpful in sores and muscle pain due to physical exertion. Many people use medical marijuana to relieve acute muscle spasms to chronic pain. They are also a great alternate over opiates, which are commonly used to relieve pain.

Do remember your first day at your gymming session?

The stiffness in your body or cramps could generally be experienced the next day of an intense workout. CBD can help relieve pain after your workout session. You can pick a CBD ointment and apply it on the affected part to feel its relaxing and analgesic effects.

Boosts Your Metabolism

Cannabis use can speed up your metabolism, lower your cholesterol, and increase your fat loss rate. American Journal of Medicine tells that, cannabis users have higher levels of fasting insulin in their bodies than the people who do not consume cannabis.

This study also indicates that people who consume cannabis have a significantly smaller waist circumference than those who don’t use cannabis.

Cannabis can help you lose weight and maintain optimal insulin levels.

Improves Your Sleep Quality

Sleep inducing effects of cannabis are one of the commonly known traits of the cannabis plant.

THC(tetrahydrocannabinol), present in cannabis is commonly known for its psychoactive properties, is also known to repress dreams, which could be beneficial for people going through PTSD(post-traumatic stress disorder). THC is also helpful for patients suffering from sleep apnea.

CBD, on the other hand, is a nonpsychoactive ingredient of cannabis, can help ease the symptoms of REM rapid eye movement and fatigue.

You can use cannabis as an alternative to sleeping pills.