Being "Blunt" About Training and Marijuana Use

In the United States, recreational marijuana, sometimes known as cannabis, is legal in 18 states as of January 2022. A total of 28 states have legalized medical marijuana or CBD oil. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services' 2019 National Survey on Drug Use, 46 percent of adults in the United States have tried marijuana.

There is a relationship between adolescent marijuana usage and poor academic and vocational performance, though further study is needed. What about grownups, though? What about athletes, specifically?

 

In short, according to a comprehensive evaluation of 15 studies published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, cannabis "does not boost aerobic activity or strength." However, there are significant intricacies in marijuana's link to athletes' recuperation, training mindset, and dietary implications that are worth discussing.

 

WHAT IS MARIJUANA? 

 

Marijuana is a drug that is used to treat a variety of ailments. Cannabis, generally known as marijuana, is a "psychoactive plant with around 500 components," according to Wikipedia. 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and cannabidiol are two of the 104 compounds that have been discovered (CBD). Cannabis plants are classified as Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, or Cannabis Ruderalis. The two main subspecies are Sativa-dominant (light green tall plant with thin leaves) and Indica-dominant (dark green short plant with broad leaves), with the former having higher THC content and the latter having higher cannabidiol content.

 

PAIN MANAGEMENT AND SLEEP QUALITY

 

Aside from actual sports performance, there is some evidence that CBD can enhance sleep quality and temporarily relieve discomfort induced by physical exertion. This information should be taken with a grain of salt, metaphorically speaking, because research in this field is still in its early stages as of 2021, and further research is needed. Preliminary data suggests CBD's potential good effect on pain reduction may be connected to decreased inflammation and anxiety, according to a 2020 study published in Sports Medicine-Open. Unfortunately, there isn't enough research to say whether or not it should be included in an athlete's supplement routine. CBD appears to be promise for persons who suffer from anxiety disorders in terms of lowering stress, but the scientific community is still debating it.

 

WHAT ABOUT FAT ON THE BODY?

 

Weed, according to scientists, stimulates appetite, lowers inhibitions, and improves the flavor of food. So, it sort of leads to weight increase, right?

 

No, not at all. Marijuana has also been demonstrated to improve glucose metabolism and increase metabolic rate. Regular users, on the other hand, have the lowest obesity rates, even if they are occasionally visited by the Munchie Monster. And, to be honest, the "munchies" issue is a little exaggerated. Drunk eating is significantly more common and far worse.

 

WHAT ABOUT BODY FAT?

 

Weed, according to scientists, stimulates appetite, lowers inhibitions, and improves the flavor of food. So, it sort of leads to weight increase, right?

 

No, not at all. Marijuana has also been demonstrated to improve glucose metabolism and increase metabolic rate. Regular users, on the other hand, have the lowest obesity rates, even if they are occasionally visited by the Munchie Monster. And, to be honest, the "munchies" issue is a little exaggerated. Drunk eating is significantly more common and far worse.

 

There appears to be a paradoxical association between THC use and calorie intake when it comes to caloric intake. THC has been shown to increase appetite in a way that is referred to as the "munchies." For context, the adult obesity rate in the United States in 2018 was 42.7 percent, up 30.5 percent from 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Obesity, on the other hand, is "much lower in cannabis users compared to non-users." This isn't to argue that those who want to lose weight should use cannabis; studies on the subject haven't looked at how cannabis affects the macronutrient makeup of a diet.

 

If the goal is to maintain a calorie deficit, despite the fact that cannabis promotes hunger, there may be some benefit to consuming it. Instead of grabbing for a joint or dripping CBD oil, athletes should probably seek the advice of a dietitian.

 

As contradictory notions go, the nutritional consequences of marijuana are intriguing - THC in marijuana is likely to increase appetite in the short term after use, but is less likely to progress to obesity. However, for athletes who need to maintain a given weight or reach a specified bodyweight for competition, a balanced diet of whole foods combined with a specific calorie goal and adequate macronutrient consumption is a preferable way to achieve those objectives.

 

WHERE DO TESTOSTERONE LEVELS FIT IN?

 

Some people believe that marijuana suppresses testosterone levels, which would be detrimental to lifters and sportsmen. However, the science is still equivocal.

 

Yes, studies have shown that heavy daily marijuana users have reduced testosterone levels, at least temporarily. However, there are good studies that suggest it has no effect on T levels.

And, get this, there are a couple of studies that claim that marijuana raises testosterone levels (again, at least temporarily).

 

Isn't it perplexing? Of course, pro- and anti-pot activists will cherry-pick findings that support their positions. So it's a tie. We simply don't know how marijuana interacts with testosterone.

 

WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE?

 

Many great sportsmen and bodybuilders have been reported to use cannabis, however this does not "prove" anything. We can dive into the deep end and argue that they'd be better off without the pot... or we can argue that the stress and anxiety-relieving effects aid recovery and sleep, which may outweigh any

negative consequences such as reduced psychomotor abilities. That shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't compete stoned.

 

In addition, many lifters claim that their finest workouts are those that are buzzing. Others, on the other hand, lose motivation if they become high and can't conceive training in that state. It could also be an indica vs. sativa issue. Kids, strains are important.

 

So, if you like marijuana, your T levels are normal, your body composition is normal, and you're gaining muscle, go ahead and do it. Just be mindful of the potential drawbacks.

 

Finally, marijuana can be used to relieve tension. And stress and inflammation are at the root of nearly all diseases that can kill us. So, if some of the bad aspects of cannabis are proven to be accurate, you must measure them against its benefits, such as stress relief. Then make your own decision.

 

SELECT THE APPROPRIATE TYPE

 

I don't enjoy smoking, and I prefer the precision of edibles. Manufacturers are required by law to ensure that each serving size includes the same amount of marijuana. So, unless I'm in excruciating agony, I'll shred typical serving sizes into even smaller portions. This is referred to as micro-dosing.

 

I'll also utilize dark chocolate edibles or flavorless cannabis sachets that may be thrown into a glass of water or a recipe. There are also cannabis beverages that are pre-measured and micro-dosed, containing so little THC that you don't get high... simply less grouchy.

 

CONSIDER THE RATIOS OF CANNABINOIDS

 

This is crucial, and not enough people think about it. I make sure that the CBD to THC ratio in the products I use is at least 1:1.

 

CBD is renowned for its medical properties, while THC is known for its recreational properties. There's a lot of evidence that CBD has neuroprotective properties, so it's possible that the negative effects of THC can be mitigated by combining it with an equal or greater dose of CBD.

 

BE AWARE OF THE STRAINS

 

Indica and sativa are the two most common strains seen in dispensaries. Sativa is considered to be energetic, whereas indica is said to be soothing. (However, this isn't always the case.) I prefer items that are predominantly indica. This aids sleep and prevents me from waking up with nervous thoughts.

 

A FEW HOURS BEFORE BED, HAVE IT WHILE MAKING DINNER

 

It can take up to two hours to feel the effects of cannabis if you eat or drink it rather than smoking it. So I take it before supper, and by the time I feel it, I've already eaten and am too exhausted to binge. If I do get hungry after dinner, I'll usually reach for one of my protein-packed snacks.

 

But believe me when I say that a leg day or a back workout in the evening has always stimulated my appetite considerably more than weed. This includes times when my doses were not at all "micro."

 

GO TO BED

 

You don't go into a wild reefer-madness-like frenzy after consuming marijuana, contrary to popular belief. It's even feasible to use it and yet make better decisions than those who don't. Appropriate amounts of cannabis won't hinder you from accomplishing normal responsibilities like cleaning the kitchen, washing off your makeup, brushing your teeth, flossing, giving your pets goodnight kisses, reading a few pages from your Kindle, or saying your prayers.

 

That may sound a little cheesy, but using cannabis in a smart and methodical way should improve your life rather than making it worse. And as this list demonstrates, you can use it infrequently and avoid becoming addicted. I hope it prompts you to reconsider the marijuana myths that persist.