Elevated Exercise: 3 Ways Cannabis Can Help You in the Gym

Does it surprise you that cannabis and fitness can go hand-in-hand? Or, better yet, weight-in-hand? 

It shouldn’t.

1. The endocannabinoid system works like endorphins.

There’s a reason several long-distance runners favour edibles and vapourizers ahead of a gruelling marathon. According to some studies, elevated levels of naturally occurring endocannabinoids in your bloodstream can exist after high-intensity running. Which is to suggest that, if endorphins are capable of helping you power through a fierce workout, then endocannabinoids could increase your pain threshold to do something similar. Since even small doses of THC are able to stimulate motor activity, a hit might just fire you up before you’re on your way. It might enable you to reduce the monotony. It might help you to remain in a steady rhythmic zone.

2. The compounds in cannabis may help lower cholesterol, raise metabolism and speed fat loss.

Credit two compounds found in cannabis: our beloved CBD and THCV. (In case you weren’t already familiar, the latter offers a unique array of effects and medical benefits that set it apart from the former and other cannabinoids like THC). So far, animal studies indicate that CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in lymphoid tissue and the brain. These receptors are believed to perform vital roles in metabolism, as well as food intake. Incidentally, the CBD was injected in these cases, not given orally. More research is required, sure. We need to better learn how humans react. But these results offer some hope. Similarly, THCV is known to hold powerful appetite suppressing effects, which render it a potential weight loss supplement. It’s also been suggested that THCV has the ability to eliminate the satiated feeling that follows devouring something delicious.

3. Cannabis is an anti-inflammatory medicine.While the last two points are more relevant to what happens in the gym, this one applies to after the gym. Cannabis can help ease the pain. CBD oil in particular has the power to reduce inflammation, while helping your body regain a state of balance. So, apply lotions high in CBD on your joints pre- and post-workout, and stave off soreness. Or perhaps you prefer to make your own CBD oil-infused lotion? No problem. One day soon we’ll list some easy homemade lotion recipes. For now, all you need to know is that you can not only play around with different strengths and scents to ensure pain relief, but that you needn’t worry about racing out to the store or waiting for your next order to be delivered. Lastly, although similar to CBD, it’s been further argued that THC-A is a superior anti-inflammatory. It’s estimated to be 10 to 20 times as potent.

This article was written by The Blissed Team and published on October 16th, 2019.

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