To some people, the idea of utilizing cannabis for exercise makes little sense. It’s known for its sedative effect, yet many people’s workouts, including my own, benefit greatly when using cannabis. That being said let’s take a look at some reasons why utilizing marijuana to help with your workout and overall fitness goal isn’t as crazy as people might think.

1. Increased Fat Burning – We discussed in a previous post how chronic cannabinoid use results in the conversion of our white adipocytes (fat cells) to beige and brown adipocytes resulting in an increase in basal metabolic rate (BMR). An increased BMR means increased energy expenditure which is directly related to lower BMI. Maybe this is how Snoop Dogg stays so slim lol! Learn more here!
2. Regulating Appetite – Not every strain of marijuana is going to make you hungry. The munchies can be extremely helpful to someone training and trying to bulk up, but it can also be used for the opposite effect. Click here for a solid breakdown of which terpenes in your cannabis are anecdotally appetite stimulating versus appetite suppressing. 
3. Better Recovery – Intense exercise typically results in higher levels of inflammatory mediators which might increase the risk of injury and chronic inflammation. Cannabinoids have a multifaceted role in our immune response that can help prevent damage from the chronic inflammation associated with frequent exercise. Learn more here!
4. Increased Focus – The last two points here are more anecdotal but are common responses I receive when asking people why they incorporate cannabis into their workout routine. Cannabis is highly known for its anxiety relieving effect and with this, at least for me, a clearer mind. It’s much easier to focus on the workout at hand when all those pesky racing thoughts stop.
5. Increased Drive – This one seems pretty simple. We can use cannabis for many reasons, but one of the main reasons people do is for that euphoric high. Try having a bad workout with a feeling of euphoria.

It’s easy to see why more people are trying to incorporate cannabinoids into their diet/exercise regimen, but that doesn’t mean it can be used without potential negative effects. Certain strains can lead to more sedative effects so be sure to use a strain you feel comfortable being active on. THC will also alter your coordination so be sure to operate any equipment you’re using with utmost caution. 

Feel free to share why you do, or don’t use cannabis before, during, or after your workout in the comment section 🙂