For a lot of people, getting high usually means sitting on the sofa and binge-watching Netflix. For others, it can give them a turbo boost in productivity. And for very few, it is the secret to their workout.
Wait, what?!
Many of our customers prefer drinking DELTA over alcohol at night. They do this so they can have a great night, sleep great, and go to the gym in the morning.
But what happens if you take a sip or two of DELTA before exercising? Can cannabis improve your workout? We’re going to discuss the pros and cons of working out high.
The Hidden Relationship Between Cannabis and Athletes
Most of the world sees cannabis consumption as far removed from athleticism and sport, so people rarely care. However, when 21-year-old American superstar sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson lost her spot in the Tokyo Olympics, it became big news and reignited the conversation about THC in sports.
But this is at an elite level. How can an average athlete benefit from working out when high and using cannabis to stay motivated while working full-time?
Runners High is a book by Colorado-based journalist, Josiah Hesse, who discovered that doing cardio while high transformed running from a chore to a euphoric activity. This led him down a rabbit hole to find a culture of cannabis use among elite athletes, hidden from the public.
Elite-level bodybuilders and endurance athletes cited the benefits of maintaining appetite and reducing pain perception. Reducing anxiety is important for professional athletes, particularly when their career depends on one performance in front of a large audience.
Is There a Connection Between Marijuana and Working Out?
Delta-9 THC affects the body's endocannabinoid system by attaching to CB1 receptors in the brain. This leads to changes in neurotransmitter release, causing feelings of relaxation and euphoria.
Similarly, when you exercise, your body releases endocannabinoids to help regulate various physiological processes like pain sensation, mood, and appetite.
Natural chemicals such as anandamide and 2-AG, also known as the "bliss molecule," attach to CB1 and CB2 receptors. This causes feelings of happiness and overall wellness which are commonly experienced during or after physical activity. So can you work out high?
Does Working Out High Have Benefits?
The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in regulating pain sensation. When you use delta-9 THC, it attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain that are linked to feeling pain.
By binding to these receptors, THC can modulate the transmission of pain signals in these areas. If you take weed before a workout, this potentially leads to a reduction in the perception of pain through several mechanisms:
Neurotransmitter Modulation
THC helps to reduce pain by slowing down the release of neurotransmitters that send pain signals to the brain.
Pain Processing Alterations
THC can modify the brain's interpretation of pain signals and reduce pain perception. This effect can enhance pain tolerance and decrease pain intensity, making it potentially beneficial for weight training, which is why some people try smoking before the gym.
Euphoria and Relaxation
The psychoactive effects of euphoria and relaxation can also contribute to a perceived reduction in pain. These effects can distract a person from the difficulty of the activity and can also create a more positive emotional state to help with motivation and pain perception.
Can Cannabis Water Improve Your Workout?
Most examples of people experimenting with THC and exercise involve either smoking or taking edibles.
Smoking is a big issue for many and it has clear and well-understood negative effects on our health. Let’s be real, smoking weed before running sounds a little counterproductive! That is why people might turn to edibles or gummies. Remember that these are processed and have high sugar levels, so they may not align with dietary needs or restrictions. Plus, the onset time is much longer.
DELTA Cannabis Seltzer is a natural, sugar-free, and calorie-free alternative that will not affect your diet – something important for elite and amateur athletes.
Managing your dose of cannabis water is also easier because you can take it one sip at a time, meaning you can try working out stoned in a more controlled way. The stated dose on the can is for the entire can so you can consume less and manage a functional high throughout your workout. This may suit endurance athletes who want to microdose during an event to help with anxiety, focus, and managing pain.
Thanks to pioneering cannabis sports science research, we are starting to understand that cannabis is not specifically a performance enhancer. Instead, it helps athletes overcome the psychological barriers of training or competition.
Are There Any Side Effects to Getting High and Working Out?
There is little evidence to categorically say that getting high increases performance on a physiological level. The effects are more attributed to the mental benefits of improving physical performance like a reduction in pain perception and anxiety.
So while we can’t recommend doing your workout high, it could be worth trying to see what benefits you may get.
If you want to try exercising while high, it’s worth considering these things.
Increased Thirst
It’s not uncommon to get a dry mouth when you’re high. THC inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for digestive functions, including saliva production.
When you exercise, you sweat to maintain an optimal body temperature. As your body loses water to sweat, it must be replaced, making you more thirsty during exercise.
Cannabis water can help with hydration, but keep a bottle of water nearby. The last thing you want is to get too high!
Fueling
Ensuring you eat properly before, during, and after working out is critical for maintaining peak performance and recovery. If you’re going to try smoking weed and working out, it’s a good idea to have a full stomach because it will stop you from getting too high.
THC enters your bloodstream faster when you haven't eaten, so the effects can be stronger than usual. Plus, you will then lack energy for your workout, which is never a good idea. It’s similar to drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
This is especially important to remember if you’re working out while high and in a fasted state practice working out in a fasted state.
Can Cannabis Water Improve Exercise?
Exercise stimulates the release of endogenous cannabinoids in the body. It gives us that rush and elated feeling during or after working out. Going for a run or going to the gym high can enhance the sensation of a workout and make it more enjoyable if you lack motivation or focus.
It's important to be cautious when doing exercise while high. We suggest only doing it if you already enjoy getting high. Exploring the potential benefits of using cannabis in workouts could offer valuable advantages for fitness enthusiasts and amateur athletes looking to improve their training, motivation, and recovery.
And in the great words of author Jesse Hesse, remember that “pot makes exercise fun.”
