Is Cannabis and Exercise a Good Pairing?

At times of year when the weather starts to warm up, getting some outdoor exercise may seem appealing. When winter is approaching, the gym and all its weights and cardio machines may instead be calling your name. And year-round, cannabis may help you during and after your workout — or if you’re not big on exercise, cannabis may help you embrace it more. Keep reading to explore the connection between cannabis and exercise in greater depth.

Cannabis and exercise: What’s the relationship?

Although cannabis and athletic performance aren’t directly linked, it’s not uncommon for folks to enjoy cannabis before, among other activities, hiking, doing yoga, or exercising on aerobic machines. These people often say that cannabis helps them focus during exercise or improve their mind-spirit-body connection. For others, cannabis may simply help them enjoy exercise.

How cannabis may help with exercise

Cannabis may help with anxiety and focus

There’s anecdotal evidence that consuming cannabis before you work out may help you stay in the zone and tune out any worries, anxieties, or fears. Wellness professionals and regular people alike have said that, in their personal experience, pre-exercise cannabis lightens the mind and increases mindfulness. It may be worth considering cannabis if you have hesitations about getting exercise or you often lose interest partway through a workout.

Cannabis may make exercise more enjoyable

Runners and joggers who incorporate cannabis into their pre-exercise routine may have more fun while on the move. An elevated experience may lead some runners or joggers to experience more of the so-called “runner’s high.”

Some scientists argue that running introduces more endocannabinoids, which the body produces naturally, into one’s bloodstream. These endocannabinoids modulate the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and may lead to euphoric sensations. The cannabinoids in cannabis modulate the ECS as well. This science may explain why some runners find that cannabis consumption leads to stronger “runner’s highs” and greater overall enjoyment.

Cannabis may help reduce post-workout soreness

Topicals infused with THC or another phytocannabinoid known as cannabidiol (CBD) — or both these cannabinoids — are readily available at licensed dispensaries. High-CBD cannabis topicals may offer localized relief, and high-THC topicals may assist with managing mild to moderate discomfort and soreness. These products speak to the potential role of cannabis in post-exercise recovery. They also frequently contain Vitamin E, camphor, and menthol, all of which are also found in non-infused sports topicals.

Cannabis may improve sleep quality

Athletes and people who don’t get much exercise both often say that consuming cannabis helps them achieve greater mental relaxation. This state of calm may bring on sleep faster and allow it to last for a longer period. In particular, CBN products and cannabis that’s high in myrcene (which is a terpene, a class of naturally occurring plant compounds) may promote restful sleep. And if you ask any wellness or exercise professional, they’ll say that sleep is essential for post-workout recovery.

How to incorporate cannabis into your exercise routine

Pair cannabis with low-impact workouts

Although cannabis may make exercise seem more fun, it may also make working out feel more strenuous. For this reason, you may want to consider pairing cannabis with low-impact workouts. A brisk walk around a local park is a great example, as is a hike under stunning trees and warming sunlight.

Consider edibles over flower, pre-rolls, or vapes

Exercise typically puts your heart and lungs to work, and for many people, inhaling requires the lungs to work even harder. Try it out for yourself, and if you experience this same effect, you may prefer edibles. These cannabis products take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to kick in (shorter for fast-acting edibles), and they entirely bypass your respiratory system, potentially making them a better option for high-intensity activity like running.

On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that you’ll wind up preferring smoking or vaping. Everything is individual, and you may need to try many different options to decide what works best for you.

Choose strains low in CBD

THC may play a greater role than CBD in cannabis’ potential ability to help you enjoy exercise more. Choosing a low-CBD cannabis cultivar (strain) for exercise may be your best move. At a recreational dispensary, many flower, pre-roll, and vape options are low in CBD. (For flower and pre-rolls, CBD content of around 1% or higher is considered high CBD.)

If you’re choosing edibles instead, this journey is even easier since you’ll clearly see on the package if the product contains only THC or a ratio of CBD to THC. It’s best to avoid edibles with CBN since this cannabinoid is associated with sedative, sleep-friendly effects.

Start low and go slow

Always consume a small dose of cannabis to start, then increase the amount you took if you don’t feel enough effects — 15 minutes or so for inhaled products, and 1 hour or so for edibles. It’s better to find yourself only a bit elevated and enjoy exercise more than to have your head so in the clouds that working out feels too strenuous. If you experience too strong of effects and associate cannabis with not enjoying exercise, you’re less likely to try this pairing again when, in reality, it holds so much potential.

Support your workouts with cannabis products at The Travel Agency

Whether you’ve been struggling to enjoy exercise or you do it often, The Travel Agency is here to get you where you’re going. Visit us in Union Square, Downtown Brooklyn, SoHo, or at our Fifth Avenue location for help from our friendly, knowledgeable budtenders in starting your journey with cannabis and exercise on the right foot. Order cannabis delivery in New York City to get ready for your morning workout without having to head to our stores.