Cannabis and sports? That doesn’t fit together at all, some of you might say. But the reality is that many athletes enjoy using cannabis. Many of them consume cannabis regularly while not only playing sports, but also doing muscle building or strength training. Yes, there are now many studies that have examined how cannabis consumption affects our athletic performance.
📑 Inhaltsverzeichnis
However, we must note that these studies often contradict each other. Some say one thing, others say another, and ultimately we’re left with nothing more than making our own experiences. But let’s explain what exactly happens in the body in connection with sports, strength training, and cannabis use.
Studies with Different Results
Once again, it was rats that had to provide such results. After a rat experiment, researchers claimed that cholesterol levels dropped by 48 percent after cannabis consumption. That’s almost half. However, cholesterol levels that are too high are just as harmful to us and our bodies as levels that are too low. Many other researchers considered 48 percent too much and claimed that rat data couldn’t be so easily transferred to the human body. Other calculations then showed that cholesterol levels would only drop by three percent, and only if you use cannabis regularly.
Was dich auch interessieren könnte...
Studies regarding estrogen levels are equally contradictory. Some found elevated levels after cannabis consumption, others claimed estrogen levels would drop. As we all know, the hormone estrogen is responsible for everything feminine in our body and, among other things, for fat storage. If you have to smile now, I felt the same way – after all, we have the image of the classic stoner as rather thin and starved-looking. But we can safely forget these stereotypical stoner images, because not all cannabis users can be immediately identified as such, believe me. So does this mean you gain weight from using cannabis? No! Provided, of course, you don’t fall into the „munchies“ category after using cannabis. But then this has nothing to do with the hormone estrogen.
Cannabis causes stress hormones in the body to rise. As a result of intoxication, cortisol levels rise and stress levels increase. This also might not fit our stoner image – after all, we always imagine a rather calm and relaxed smoker who appears anything but stressed. But it’s supposedly true, and maybe it’s not like that for everyone.
Certain hormones in our body are also supposed to be responsible for an increase in our appetite, and that’s something all of you can confirm. Cannabis simply makes you hungry. Some can control themselves, others fall into real eating binges. It’s no coincidence that cannabis is prescribed as an appetite-stimulating medication for many chemotherapy patients so they finally have a sense of hunger again. For us „normal people,“ this isn’t so great.
Cannabis and Sports – Advantages and Disadvantages
The Benefits of Using Cannabis Before Sports or Strength Training
Benefit number one is certainly the muscle-relaxing effect. And especially after sports, this can be a great advantage regarding muscle soreness. As a second major benefit, we consider the antispasmodic effect. Because especially in strength sports, many athletes frequently deal with cramps, which can be alleviated by cannabis. Third: Cannabis has anti-inflammatory effects in all vessels and muscles! This also means that developing inflammation due to overexertion can be nipped in the bud. Muscle recovery demonstrably proceeds faster, and we consider this fact the fourth major advantage.
The reason for this is the fifth major advantage: Blood circulation is stimulated more intensely and the muscles are supplied with blood more strongly and intensively. Last but not least, the sixth major advantage, which I just figured out myself and which you can surely confirm: Cannabis consumption really makes you thirsty! And everyone knows that lots of fluids (water) are important for sports and everything related to it.
Considering the Disadvantages
Cannabis makes many people sluggish, tired, or weak. Studies on rats showed that they simply had no desire for difficult tasks and became downright lazy. Many of you can probably confirm this fact, even though there are studies that speak of increased stress hormones. So it’s clear that after using cannabis, you really have to motivate yourself to even start exercising. Given the benefits, I would say you should simply smoke after sports.
We already talked about elevated cholesterol levels in one of the studies. And this elevated level can prevent or slow muscle building. Testosterone levels drop, and this also prevents muscles from growing. And besides, cannabis makes you fat, so some argue. Whether we really get fat from it, however, is in our own hands in my opinion. You can resist munchies and you can motivate yourself to exercise.
A real disadvantage is of course the burden on our lungs, because we’re not only smoking the cannabis, but also tobacco and thus inhaling all the toxins. Hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, and tar harm the lungs and can thus affect our endurance.
Cannabis Users Can Also Play Sports
However, it’s now proven that athletes also like to smoke occasionally. Consumption is „recommended“ rather after sports, because the positive effects on our circulation and muscles can really be beneficial only after exertion. Everything else is, as always, debatable.
