As you explore ways to enhance your self-care routine, you might consider combining your workout with a different kind of high. Whether you’re a morning jogger, yoga enthusiast, or gym regular, experts suggest that exercising while high on cannabis can potentially help you work out more effectively, more frequently, and with greater enjoyment—assuming it’s legal where you live.
“Consuming cannabis before a workout can help you shift your focus away from any anxiety about the upcoming session,” explains Jessamyn Stanley, a yoga instructor, body positivity advocate, and writer. If exercise isn’t your top choice, mustering up the emotional energy to get started can be challenging. Even for those who enjoy working out, the routine of pushing your body regularly can lead to mental fatigue. This tiredness might cause you to develop negative feelings about exercising, making it increasingly difficult to stay motivated.
A 2017 study in the journal Sports Medicine revealed that the harder individuals perceive their workouts to be, the more mentally fatigued they become. Essentially, if a workout feels excessively challenging, it becomes harder to stay engaged and motivated. This is one reason why Stanley chooses to use cannabis before her workouts. “Rather than wishing for the workout to end, I have to remind myself to take breaks,” she explains to Bustle.
A survey reported in the journal Nature found that approximately 70% of over 600 people living in states where recreational cannabis is legal said that being high made their workouts more enjoyable. The study also revealed that cannabis use not only enhanced the enjoyment of exercise but also led to longer workout sessions. Participants who used cannabis before or after exercising tended to spend more time working out compared to those who did not combine cannabis with their exercise routine.
Although the direct effects are still theoretical from a research perspective, Dr. Starr suggests that cannabis’s potential to elevate mood in the short term might make exercise more enjoyable, leading to more frequent workouts. This enhanced sense of presence and enjoyment can benefit your exercise routine, whether you’re lifting weights or practicing yoga.
However, scientists still have much to learn about exercising while high. “Currently, nearly all research on the link between marijuana and exercise performance is observational and limited in scope,” Dr. Starr informs Bustle.
It’s also crucial to consider that around 40% of respondents in the Nature survey who combined cannabis with exercise reported experiencing unusually high heart rates or getting too high to work out safely. Dr. Starr notes that this is not entirely surprising. “Marijuana is known to cause tachycardia, or an increased heart rate,” he explains to Bustle. “For individuals with underlying heart conditions or arrhythmias, using marijuana could potentially increase the risk of heart complications.”
You should also be particularly mindful of hydration, advises Meryl Montgomery, co-founder of the cannabis startup Barbari. “THC can accelerate your glucose metabolism, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water regularly,” she emphasizes.
Determining the right dose for your workout routine is essential, according to Kendra Freeman, cannabis expert and president of business development and product development at Mendi, a CBD company for athletes. If you’re unsure how your body reacts to THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, Freeman suggests experimenting with adding some CBD to your regimen. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce a high, so it might help you stay more focused on your workout.
If you’re considering incorporating cannabis into your workout routine, it’s wise to start with a small dose and be mindful of your limits, both in terms of exercise and cannabis use. Paying attention to your body’s signals and how you feel will guide you in the right direction. If you’re open to exploring this new approach, listening to your own experiences will help you find what works best for you.
Please be aware that regulations regarding cannabis, hemp, and CBD are continuously changing, along with the research on their effectiveness and safety. Therefore, the information in this post should not be considered legal or medical advice. Always consult your physician before using any new substance or supplement.
