5 Benefits of Cannabis for Exercise

Recently, Tessa Yannone from Boston Magazine called us to answer one of the most popular questions from their readers:

Will Cannabis Help Me Power Through My Workouts?

That article focused primarily on the benefits of CBD, but thanks to our friends at Green Nurse Group, we thought we’d take the opportunity to go into some more detail about exactly why cannabis can be the best workout partner you’ve ever had.

Cannabis supports a healthy endocannabinoid system for general health and wellness

Pop quiz. How many systems in your body can you name? We’re talking about your digestive system, your circulatory system, your nervous system, your immune system, etc. and ALL of these systems are controlled by the all-powerful endocannabinoid system. The chemical compounds in cannabis work with your endocannabinoid system like a key going into a lock. Receptors throughout your body were built to process the compounds in cannabis. When our own bodies don’t produce enough of these compounds to keep our systems running at peak efficiency, medicating with cannabis is like taking a multi-vitamin during cold and flu season – it fortifies your body so it responds better to outside stimuli like strenuous exercise.

Cannabis is a safe and effective way to manage pain

Many patients come to Revolutionary Clinics for relief from chronic pain they’ve been dealing with for years as a result of an accident or old injury. Athletes of all levels are constantly pushing their limits and dealing with all kinds of pain, from simple overexertion to strains and sprains. Cannabis is a natural pain reliever that can help you recover from aggressive work outs faster so you can train harder to break through your plateaus and achieve your personal bests.

Cannabis doesn’t harm lung function and may actually improve it

This may sound too good to be true but a 2016 report by NPG Primary Care Medicine says otherwise. The benefit centers around the study of forced vital capacity (FVC) – a scientifically accepted measurement of how much air is exhaled during the forced expiratory volume test. This report analyzed the results of 19 different studies and discovered that instead of reducing forced vital capacity of the lungs, marijuana smoking actually increased FVC.  While more study is needed, the theory is the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis enable our lungs to take in more air. Increased lung capacity will improve your stamina so you can exercise longer or with greater intensity. Side note – cannabis smoke includes the same tar as tobacco smoke, so vaporization is always a smarter choice.

Cannabis aids in focus for endurance training

In the video below, Patient Advocate Sarah-Jaana shared her experiences with how cannabis helps her stay focused and energized during long bike rides. Sarah-Jaana also explains how different strains of cannabis have different effects and that a hybrid of indica and sativa is her choice for maintaining the right balance.

Cannabis is an anti-inflammatory

While inflammation is an important part of the growth and development of your muscles as you build them up through exercise, the result is motivation-robbing aches and pains. Once again, science is supporting what our patients have been telling us for years – cannabis has a soothing effect on sore muscles. The anti-inflammatory properties in cannabis can help you bounce back faster from an intense workout. Less recovery time between workouts means more time getting after it, pushing your limits and achieving your goals.

These aren’t the only benefits of cannabis for exercise, they’re just a few that our friends at Green Nurse Group talk about during their presentations at our clinics. Check out our events calendar to find out when they’re visiting us next and give us a call at 617-213-6006 to learn more about how cannabis can help you feel, perform and live better!