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In terms of cannabis use and physical activity, the general perception is divided: on the one hand, stereotypes perpetuate the idea of ​​sedentary advocates sitting around a snack. On the other hand, groups such as the World Anti-Doping Agency consider cannabis to be a performance.enhancing and more and more professional athletes are citing cannabis as a key part of their training programs.
This tension prompted researchers at the University of Colorado to explore the link between cannabis use and exercise, a subject that has received relatively little attention from academics. Their findings suggest that cannabis can be a powerful exercise tool, increasing the enjoyment of physical activity and facilitating recovery after training. It can even improve performance and motivation.
More exercise, more fun
The study "The new Runner's High? Examine the relationship between cannabis use and physical behavior in states where cannabis is legalized, "reviewed responses to a survey of 605 adults living in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington – all states where cannabis use by adults is legal. Respondents who endorsed what the study calls "co-use" of cannabis and exercise, that is, a consumption immediately before and / or after a session of training, tended to be younger and more masculine, but the apparent benefits of co-use applied more widely.
"Even after controlling for these differences, co-users reported participating in more minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercises a week," the study revealed. "In addition, the majority of participants who recommended using cannabis shortly before / after exercise said that it improved their enjoyment and recovery, and about half said that it increased their motivation to use cannabis. # 39; year. "
If this surprises you, consider some of the past discoveries cited by the authors. Although research is still scarce, surveys suggest that cannabis users have a lower prevalence of obesity and data from the National Center for Health Statistics show positive correlations between cannabis use and good indicators. metabolic health, such as lower fasting insulin levels, a smaller waistline, and a reduced rate of type II diabetes.
The results of the study were more mixed as to how respondents said that cannabis affected their performance and motivation during their exercise. A slight majority of them agreed that cannabis improved their motivation to exercise, while just over a third of respondents said that cannabis improved their performance. Many of the respondents were neutral about these effects, and relatively few said cannabis was counterproductive for exercise.
What cannabis contributes
The authors of the study believe that it is "the first study to investigate attitudes and behaviors towards cannabis use before and after". exercise, and examine the differences between cannabis users who practice co-consumption and those who do not. No wonder they're hesitating a bit to draw radical conclusions. But, according to the findings of the study, cannabis could make a vital contribution to your training.
The researchers identified the following potential benefits: improving the enjoyment of exercise, enhancing motivation, as well as the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cannabinoids. "While anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis reduces motivation for exercise," they note, "several neurobiological mechanisms related to the endocannabinoid system go against this; Evidence suggests that cannabis may have beneficial effects on motivation to exercise. "
At the same time, the study recognizes that much more needs to be learned about the effects of cannabis on exercise-related mechanisms. Although cannabinoids can reduce pain and inflammation, the authors write that "other research suggests that the use of anti-inflammatory agents, such as cannabinoids , could actually hinder recovery after exercise. , mental health problems and sleep disorders.
The results of the study also present methodological limitations. Respondents were anonymous, voluntarily completed surveys, and generally came from populations already interested in cannabis. The authors repeatedly note that additional research is needed to "refine and develop this fundamental study".
And although they are not going to promote cannabis as a supplement to exercise, the authors conclude that most consumers who associate it with their training "believe that". it increases the pleasure, the recovery and, to a certain extent, the motivation to engage in exercise. "
"As these factors are positively correlated with physical activity behavior," they continue, "cannabis use at the same time as physical exercise can play a beneficial role for the health of cannabis users" .
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