How Smoking Weed Affects Your Body During a Workout

Maximising performance and boosting enjoyment in exercise is a continual pursuit for athletes, gym rats and joggers alike. From well planned-out exercising regimens to carefully curated diets, fitness enthusiasts and professionals are always seeking fresh, new ways to push their limits and unlock their full potential. However, as the legal landscape surrounding smoking weed continues to evolve and societal perceptions shift, fitness enthusiasts have been exploring the benefits of smoking weed as part of their exercising regime. But is it merely a passing fad, or does cannabis genuinely possess the capacity to enhance athletic performance and overall exercise experience?

A Different Kind of High: Cannabis and the Runner’s High

While the research is extremely inconclusive as to whether smoking weed improves performance, there have been positive reviews on its effectiveness on improving mental fortitude and motivation for doing exercise. Some individuals report that working out while high on weed can enhance their focus, reduce anxiety, and amplify their enjoyment of the activity. Cannabis has come to the forefront as a potential shortcut to a similar state of elevated mood and altered perception. 

Jessamyn Stanley, a yoga teacher, body positivity advocate, and writer, emphasizes the mental benefits of smoking or ingesting weed before a workout. “Using weed before a workout is a great way to get out of your head about what’s to come,” she explains. The anticipation of a challenging workout can often be a barrier to entry, draining emotional energy and leading to negative associations with exercise. By quieting the mental chatter and fostering a sense of ease, cannabis may help individuals overcome this hurdle and approach their workouts with a more positive mindset.

The Potential Benefits: Mood, Focus, and Pain Relief

Some proponents suggest that cannabis may possess properties that can directly enhance athletic performance and recovery. One such benefit is mood enhancement, as smoking weed is well-known for its mood-altering effects attributed to the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). By stimulating the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, THC can induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. 

This mood boost can make exercise feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable activity, potentially increasing adherence and motivation. While THC can sometimes impair cognitive function, some individuals report that it can also enhance focus and concentration, particularly when engaged in repetitive or monotonous activities. This heightened focus can be particularly beneficial for activities like long-distance running or cycling, where mental endurance is important. Pain relief is another potential benefit, as cannabis has been used for centuries as a pain reliever.

By interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabis can reduce pain perception and inflammation, allowing individuals to push through discomfort and exercise for longer durations. Furthermore, Dr. Gary Starr, MD, medical director of FOCUS, an international non-profit working toward developing cannabis quality management standards, suggests that marijuana might reduce the inflammation response in the body after a heavy workout.

The Scientific Evidence: A Mixed Bag

While there are positive personal anecdotes and experience from those who’ve smoked weed for exercising, the scientific evidence regarding the effects of smoking weed on exercise remains limited and inconclusive. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that while pot probably doesn’t physically improve your athletic performance, it may be excellent for getting your mind in the game.

A survey published in the journal Nature found that approximately 70% of respondents living in states where recreational cannabis is legal reported that being high on pot made working out more enjoyable.This survey has also revealed that individuals who used cannabis before or after exercise spent more time working out than those who did not. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of these studies. Observational studies can only establish correlations, not causation, and the small sample sizes in many of these studies make it difficult to generalize the findings to larger populations.

The Risks and Considerations: Heart Rate, Hydration, and Dose

Before you start puffing the magic dragon, there are a couple of risks of smoking weed to take into consideration. Cannabis is known to increase heart rate, which can be particularly problematic for individuals with underlying heart conditions or arrhythmias. Additionally, THC can impair coordination and judgment, increasing the risk of exercise-related injuries, making caution and the avoidance of activities requiring precise movements essential.

Dehydration is another concern, as highlighted by Meryl Montgomery, co-founder of Barbari, who emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated due to THC’s impact on glucose metabolism. Finally, determining the appropriate dosage is highly individual, depending on factors like body weight, tolerance, and cannabis strain, with a low-and-slow approach generally recommended.

CBD: A Non-Psychoactive Alternative

For those seeking the potential benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects of THC, cannabidiol (CBD) offers a promising alternative. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis that has been shown to possess a variety of therapeutic properties, including pain relief, anxiety reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Kendra Freeman, president of business development and product development at Mendi, a CBD company for athletes, suggests that adding some CBD to the mix may be beneficial, especially for those who are unsure about how their body reacts to THC. CBD won’t make you all floaty the way THC will, so you might find yourself able to focus on your workout more