I think we can all agree that using cannabis is not just for “lazy stoners,” as the old stereotype goes. But did you know it has the potential to help athletic performance? Cannabis and exercise don’t sound like an obvious combination, so we are going to go over the basics of how athletes are using cannabis to boost endurance and ease pain.
You probably remember just a few years ago when professional athletes were criticized for even mentioning cannabis use, and who could forget the way the media chastised Michael Phelps? In the past, when athletes were caught using cannabis, it ruined their reputations and even careers. Fortunately, laws and attitudes about cannabis have changed (though league rules haven’t really kept up). Today some athletes are finally able to open up about the benefits for endurance and recovery they get by using cannabis during their training.
Does Cannabis Enhance Endurance?
Let’s face it, cannabis has rarely been part of the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing drugs, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have athletic benefits. While it might not be the best option to promote quickness and agility, for many ultra-endurance athletes, it is the go-to supplement because of its ability to help keep them focused and reduce pain.
Training for endurance sports can be tedious, boring, and incredibly hard on the body. Athletes who use cannabis before their training sessions say it makes it more enjoyable, enhances their focus, and helps them push through temporary pain. Essentially, they believe it gives them the physical and mental push they need to get through the most intense moments of training.
Cannabis and Exercise for Recovery
Cannabis can have some serious benefits when it comes to exercise recovery – both in easing pain and sore muscle and in reducing inflammation. Cannabis is considered by some to be an adaptogen because it is a natural plant that can help our bodies adapt to stressful situations.
