The media often portrays cannabis users as lazy stoners who spend their time lounging on the couch. But in truth, the data presents a more dynamic and active reality.

It turns out cannabis can actually make exercise more enjoyable and promote post-workout recovery. THC helps with motivation, focus, and enjoyment. After a workout, THC also helps promote relaxation, deep sleep, and a healthy appetite. Personalized consumption methods, strains, and products make THC easy to incorporate into any active lifestyle.

THC and Exercise Performance

Researchers aren’t sure if THC boosts performance by competitive standards. But approximately a quarter of all active athletes report utilizing cannabis with mostly positive benefits, especially when combined with cannabinoids like CBD and THCA. Still, perhaps more important for most folks is that 70% of people using cannabis for physical activity say it makes the experience more enjoyable. Read about THC vs THCA by Qwin.

THC and Pain

Feeling stiff, sore, or in pain can hinder logging hours at the gym. Fortunately, evidence indicates that THC and CBD can ease pain through various internal mechanisms.

Cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, work primarily by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system has many physiological functions, including metabolism, mood, motor function, appetite, cardiovascular control, and stress regulation. The endocannabinoid system also manages different aspects of pain, including its onset, easing persistent pain, and relieving stress-related pain.

The endocannabinoid system has important components located throughout the body’s pain pathways. By targeting this system, research shows that THC and CBD can help reduce the transmission of pain signals.

THC and the “Runner’s High”

Cannabis also has a unique ability to mimic the sought-after “runner’s high” during and after physical exercise. The “runner’s high” is a euphoric and pain-relieving sensation that anyone can experience through intense activity, characterized by increased energy and a sense of happiness.

The key lies in THC’s ability to stimulate endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system, emulating the body’s natural response to exercise. With its chemical resemblance to anandamide, the “bliss molecule,” THC induces happiness while also elevating dopamine levels to amplify pleasure, attention, and motivation. 

A UC Boulder study supports these effects, revealing that 40% of cannabis users surpass the recommended aerobic exercise guidelines, reinforcing anecdotes from athletes who credit THC for their motivation and enhanced training enjoyment. The World Anti-Doping Agency has even prohibited cannabis during training, acknowledging its potential performance-enhancing capabilities.

THC and Exercise Recovery

Relaxing and refueling with cannabis is a popular method of maintaining a solid workout routine. In fact, in ancient Greece, Olympic wrestlers used cannabis topicals to manage pain. 

Today, athletes from the National Basketball League (NBA), National Football League, National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball (MLB) all endorse cannabis for pain and stress relief.

There are several ways that THC compliments post-workout optimization:

• Reduce Inflammation – Cannabinoids soothe sore muscles by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory molecules that reduce injury-related inflammation and restore balance.

• Relaxation – Giving the body proper rest speeds up recovery, and skipping this step is a barrier to future activity. Studies have confirmed THC helps reduce stress and help people relax.

• Sleep – High-quality sleep is essential to post-workout recovery by repairing and growing muscle overnight. The sedative effects of THC and CBD help many people fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up less during the night. 

Safely Incorporating THC into an Exercise Routine

Everyone’s endocannabinoid system is slightly different. Finding the right product, dose, and method of consumption takes experimentation. There are also a few safety concerns to consider when working out high.

Dose, in particular, is essential. For example, taking too much THC can cause anxiety and paranoia, making exercising or relaxing afterward more difficult. Improperly dosing can also bring sedative effects and de-motivate people from hitting the gym. For best results, athletes should always start with a very low dose and gradually work up to the optimal level.

Cannabis, along with exercise, can also get the heart racing. So people with heart conditions need to treat the combination with caution. 

Researchers have noted, though, that regular users with THC tolerance typically experience fewer variations in blood pressure. Still, people with cardiac issues should always consult a medical professional before smoking and exercising.

Methods of Consumption

The optimal method of consumption will depend on the activity and personal preference. 

• Smoking and Vaping – Drawbacks to inhalation on lung health are no secret. Still, the immediate effects and ease of dosing make smoking or vaping popular among athletes.

• Oral – Edibles take longer to kick in and are typically the most powerful consumption method. Additionally, edibles last much longer than smoking or vaping. Oral THC products like gummies may be best for people who want to relax and recover after a long activity day. 

• Topical – People with localized pain like arthritic joints or specific muscles may benefit the most from THC topicals. While topicals don’t provide a high, they provide relief from pain at the source.

The Bottom Line 

Stoners aren’t lazy anymore. Professional athletes endorse cannabis, and many users, on average, work out above recommended amounts. This is no coincidence, as benefits to pain management, focus, and enjoyment keep workouts fun and exciting. Cannabis’s ability to help relaxation, deep sleep, and appetite are the perfect complements to recovery.

Cannabis is increasingly part of improving well-being, but it’s also necessary to stay safe when combining cannabis with physical activity. With the various strains and products available, it’s never been easier to experiment with the dosages and consumption methods for optimal results. If unsure about using cannabis to work out, consult a medical professional.