Can Weed Edibles Enhance Your Workout?

Edibles

When people think of weed edibles, they often envision taking a bite and then relaxing on the couch to melt away into deep, restful bliss. However, edibles are not just good for relaxation — many people also use them as part of their regular workouts.

Because doctors are always encouraging their patients to get active, attention has turned to whether incorporating cannabis can benefit people during their workouts.

The science is still coming in, but for now, we know a few things: consuming weed edibles can definitely change how a workout goes. In order to decide whether this is the type of workout supplement that you would like to try, it’s important to understand what researchers are seeing when studying people who use cannabis compared to those who don’t.

Here’s an overview of what they have found so far.

What We Know About Weed and Workouts

Studies are still ongoing, but for now, scientists have found some correlations between consuming weed and how a subsequent workout goes. Factors that are influenced include:

Intensity

When comparing a wide range of individuals who consumed marijuana before a workout, scientists noticed a difference in both men and women between those who consumed THC and those whose weed was CBD-based.

In trials, people who used CBD tended to exercise at a higher intensity during both aerobic and resistance-based activities than those whose marijuana was primarily composed of THC.

In other words, the people who took CBD tended to exercise harder. Whether this is because they felt better, recovered faster, or something else, scientists aren’t sure yet.

Recovery

Speaking of recovery, researchers are noticing a difference between edible users and comparison groups when it comes to how fast individuals recover from exercise. CBD has been tied to a decrease in muscular pain and improved recovery.

Researchers are currently unsure of the exact mechanism by which this occurs, but it might have something to do with the anti-inflammatory nature of CBD and its role in enzymatic hydrolysis — the process of breaking apart proteins and other compounds using water.

Impairment

Multiple studies are coming out that tie the consumption of cannabis to an ergolytic effect — that is, it impairs exercise performance. However, these studies mostly include examinations of THC consumption, and more research needs to be done on CBD and especially edibles that contain both.

Interest

Studies that follow participants consuming both THC and CBD have discovered something interesting: while THC can impair your workout depending on the dose, it is also associated with more positive feelings about exercise.

This means that the people consuming THC felt they expended more effort and were more positive, energetic, and excited about their progress.

What Does This Mean for You?

The science on cannabis and exercise is still muddy, but preliminary results suggest that weed edibles affect your workout. To what extent depends on what you consume, how often, and how much.

If you’re thinking about using weed edibles to enhance your workout, you’ll need to decide which factors are most important to you: are you struggling to find motivation, or do you want to exceed your current limits? Cannabis can help with some goals more than others.

Choosing the Right Edibles for Your Workout

Because weed has a varying effect on people’s workouts, the best way to see how it impacts you is to try an edible in a small dose and take notes on how you feel during your workout afterward. In general, research recommends that:

• If you struggle with the motivation to exercise, a THC-based weed edible could be useful. However, consuming too much can hamper your performance.
• If you need more drive and intensity, or if you want recovery support, CBD-based edibles are a better choice.

Always dose your edibles carefully, and remember that they take time to work! You’ll need to consume them well in advance of your workout session to reap the benefits. Avoid consuming more while waiting for the initial hit to land, as you could end up dosing too high and feeling unwell.

Try Edibles from Your Local Dispensary

When used strategically, weed — and especially edibles — can play a pivotal role in your workout regimen. If you’re considering incorporating eddies into your next exercise session, be sure to stock up ahead of time!

The team at Pure Oasis can help you choose an edible that fits your CBD or THC goals for your workout. Stop by Pure Oasis’ dispensaries to review our product offerings and select the one that will best support your workout goals.