How Does Marijuana Affect Exercise?

VIANARCHRIS

Well-Known Member
For some athletes, marijuana is a crucial part of working out, as they say smoking weed helps them perform better during their routine. Lighting up some bud before hitting the gym may not be the best idea for others, however, as cannabis is known to cause temporary impairment of motor functions.

"Marijuana relaxes me and allows me to go into a controlled, meditational place," Colorado gym owner Clifford Drusinsky told Men's Journal about smoking weed before exercising. "When I get high, I train smarter and focus on form."

Read more: Should You Smoke Marijuana After a Workout? Weed May Help You Recover, Perform Better
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A growing pool of research indicates getting high on cannabis reduces anxiety, which could allow for some to experience a more natural aggression when exercising while high, Stanford Medical School professor Keith Humphreys explained to Outside Magazine last year.

"We have cannabinoid receptors throughout our brains, and when the THC hits those receptors, it triggers a system that reduces anxiety," Humphreys told Outside's Gordy Megroz. "That you would feel more aggressive is a natural reaction to the drug."

However, many studies and what they claim to find contradict others in the scientific community. PBS reported from the National Institute of Drugs symptoms of marijuana could include "an alteration of heart rate. Use of marijuana may result in intense anxiety, panic attacks or paranoia."

As controlling one's beats per minute is a vital part of exercise, an altered heart rate could prove to be dangerous for those smoking weed before engaging in physical activity. Not to mention, nobody wants to be surrounded by sober gym attendees while in that terrible anxiety-ridden marijuana high.

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However, that doesn't discredit the many athletes and gym enthusiasts who report having better workouts while high on marijuana. It simply means getting stoned is a very unique experience for each smoker — even without lifting weights afterwards — and more research needs to be completed to determine the complete effects of weed on working out
 

RobbieP

Well-Known Member
i train high and i have done for the past 10 yrs ...... i find when im stoned its easier to zone into training mode and in my experience i find it easier to push out those last few reps when stoned , its a more relaxed training experiance for me when high :)
 

Immortalpeace

Well-Known Member
Smoking is terrible for you. I vape, use topicals, and eat edibles before and after boXing, running, or strength workouts. I Love it, helps me focus on what drill I'm working on at the time and helps me relax sparring. I really feel marijuana helps my combinations flow better.
 

nsbudca

Well-Known Member
Yeah, that's my kind of exercise. I walk the dog several times a day, and work in the yard...and am medicating while I'm doing it. I'm kinda the opposite of 'athlete' !
I go hard when I excercise. Smoking during or before doesn't really effect me I just prefer to do it with no buzz.

A good doobie afterwards feels great though.
 

a senile fungus

Well-Known Member
Smoking allows me to work out longer, and harder. I feel the burn but don't mind it as much.

But, it negatively affects my respiratory health. If doing heavy cardio i begin to wheeze, amd cough, which i attribute to smoking.

Smoking increases my resting heartrate, and i will reach my target heartrate much more quickly after smoking than sober. My heartrate will peak higher when sober then when high.

My cool downs are also more effective when high. I'm not nearly as sore if i smoked before...
 

GroErr

Well-Known Member
I do regular exercise and have all my life, it depends on what I'm doing. It lends itself well to some things but typically not before, pretty well always after. If I do, I'll vape vs. smoking though. For me it doesn't lend itself well to team sports where you're not only physically active but your mind has to be sharp. Like when I play hockey or soccer I never play high, too much instant decision making required.I play net the odd time in hockey, not good to have pucks flying at you when you're high. On the other hand, skiing or boarding I always puff before hitting the hills, it relaxes me and slows everything down, no fear or anxiety is good before you go over the top.
 

doingdishes

Well-Known Member
a buddy and i used to experiment with weight lifting.
for a week we'd smoke before and the next week we wouldn't.
we both found that while it was still fun both ways, we couldn't life as much high....but that was way back in the late 80's before this really "strong stuff" came out...haha
i still laugh about the strength of mj arguments.
 

CannaReview

Well-Known Member
Don't like being stoned while exercising especially when doing hiking. Makes me think about how I'm stepping on the ground too much which districts me from actually walking the trail safely. I do exercise lots at home (4 days per week) on an elliptical and bike as weather been shit for a a while. Loud music makes the 45+ min per session go easy other wise staring out the garage window gets pretty boring. When in the trails by my house don't listen to music or smoke, I like the quiet trails it gives me a way bigger boost then music or being stoned.
 
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cannadan

Well-Known Member
You gotta like the solitude of a walk in the woods, nothing beats the quiet .....which isn't always so quiet.
nature will produce its own sorta high....which is nice....
I walk both ways....stoned or straight each has its merits
but for you guys on the west coast....I would wanna hear that... Yeti ...coming thru the woods....and have lots of wind to outrun the beast ....joking
 
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