There’s not a lot of research on cannabis use and its impact on athletes. Here’s what some experts have to say on the matter.
Rest days are very important for people who work out regularly. The more people physically exert themselves, the more they realize how important these days off are, whether they’re doing active recovery or spending the day chilling out. Does cannabis for your workout recovery work?
All workouts cause stress to your body, tearing your muscles and causing inflammation. Although this process sounds a little disturbing, it’s a good thing since it allows the muscle to rebuild itself and grow stronger, without even getting into the benefits your body experiences due to fat loss and increased cardiovascular health.
There’s been no scientific research conducted on marijuana and the effect it has on your body after you work out, but there’s a growing community of people who enjoy working out while high, reporting better results thanks to the herb.
Even if we know that cannabis has a lot of anti-inflammatory agents, scientists still don’t know enough to say how much of the compound could produce relief or reduce inflammation when applied to strength training and workouts in general.
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“It will definitely make delayed onset muscle soreness—or DOMS—less unpleasant, which may lead to getting you back into the gym faster,” Dr. Jordan Tishler tells Men’s Journal. Tishler explains that cannabis has some pain relief properties, and that it could provide relief for particularly grueling workout sessions, similar to the effect you’d get from taking an Advil. He also says that it’s less risky.
Other experts believe that cannabis can help treat different conditions that have a significant influence on athletic performance, such as sleep and pain. They highlight CBD as a standout compound, one that provides positive long term effects for workouts and workout recovery without the highs associated with THC.
“CBD seems to have a much greater antioxidant effect than vitamin C or vitamin D, so many athletes are using this to deal with inflammation,” Dr. Stuart Titus tells Men’s Health.
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While cannabis has gained some traction among athletes, more research needs to be conducted in order to get definitive answers. In the meantime, if you like cannabis, why not include it with your workouts? If you want to keep things healthy, try consuming an edible or a CBD tincture and seeing how your body responds.
