Cannabis’s effect on workouts has been hotly debated, with some people loving it and some hating it. Here’s what you should know about cannabis and the effect it has on bodybuilding.

A lot has been said about marijuana and its effect on workouts, with some fitness enthusiasts calling it the thing they’ve been missing, and others calling them crazy. As is the case with most things cannabis, the effect of the plant largely depends on your relationship with it. There’s also no scientific research out there proving if it works or not.

Despite this, there’s plenty of scientific evidence regarding some of the benefits of cannabis, which could translate well to workouts, specifically those where muscle building is involved.

The process of building muscle is a simple one: in order to build muscle mass, you have to tear the muscle and allow it to rebuild itself, resulting in stronger and bigger muscle fibers. Rest days and a high protein and carb diet is very important for bodybuilders, which is why so many people are quick to suggest cannabis as a solution.

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The use of cannabis has a few scientifically supported connections with reducing inflammation and treating pain relief. These effects would allow people to get back to the gym faster, reducing stress and painful post workout cramps. Another positive side effect for bodybuilders using marijuana is the munchies. Bodybuilders on strict schedules sometimes don’t have the time or appetite to go through all of their necessary meals; the munchies would solve this problem swiftly, especially if there’s some self control and the fridge is stocked with the proper food.

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As for negative side effects, there are a few which could pop up and derail your training sessions. If you’re a cannabis newbie, it’s a bad idea to try out smoking a joint right before a workout session. Using cannabis is a process that demands some trial and error, and a period of time where you get accustomed to the plant’s effects. The gym is not the right place to try this out.

For experienced athletes and marijuana users, experimenting with the plant before hitting the gym is worth a shot. Although the experience may not end up being a positive one, at least you’ll be safe and say you tried out something new. For newbies, it’s best to get used to the plant and then get fancy with it.