Marijuana and fitness go together like chips and guacamole. You may not have heard of this combination until recently. But cannabis is indeed a great way to amp up your fitness level. For a long time, there has been a lot of buzz about all the health benefits that come with using cannabis. Whether you go along the little research or anecdotes of consumers. It is quite evident that cannabis has certain sets of medical properties that can help treat an array of ailments. This is why more and more people are applying for a medical marijuana card in Rochester, every day. But, along with helping the patient community, the same set of benefits can stand as a major competitor to your protein shake. It can not only help improve your workout but also elevate the fitness level of the body on its own.

So whether you have trouble focusing on your workout or your health condition keeps you from successfully engaging in your fitness regime. You can try using cannabis as a facilitator of your body fitness. And experience the benefits for yourself. But, how does cannabis really complement a workout? Here’s a list of some of the important ways in which cannabis increases your body health.

Increases Energy and Motivation

This may come as a surprise for a lot of people. But marijuana can actually increase your level of motivation and also boost your energy levels. You may picture a stoner on a couch with half-closed eyelids as if just about to fall asleep. Or one that couldn’t stand straight and have an impaired sense of perspective. Well, each of these characteristics is true to some level. But, only possible if you get a hand on high THC strain. There are certain types of Sativa strains that are used by some trainers and even athletes as a pre-workout energy booster. Examples of such strains are Durban Poison, Harlequin and Jillybean. The uplifting aspect of a strain can depend a lot on its terpene profile, THC and CBD ratio and your dose. For example, a high dose can cause anxiety instead of having an uplifting effect.

Cannabis is psychoactive so it can alter your brain chemistry. As with energy-boosting strains, it can increase dopamine levels and put you in a more focused zone. It induces happy feelings that you associate with workouts. So your fitness regime becomes enjoyable and you experience more productivity. 

Helps with Pain and Inflammation

The world knows of the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis. This is possible because of the cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant. They activate the CB receptors and by doing so can regulate pain signals to avoid inflammatory responses. Also, THC also activates the descending serotonin pathways and thus help reduce the sensation of pain. Similarly, they can also reduce inflammation by acting on the immune system and suppressing it. Also, CBD can inhibit the functioning of T-cells in the body. This is also why cannabis is majorly used for autoimmune diseases.

These properties can prove to be very beneficial for activities that make an individual prone to inflammation and injuries. Such as a simple workout at home or the gym. Workouts can lead to muscle soreness, muscle spasms and even painful injuries. Cannabis can help you deal with all of these problems easily. You can even use Cannabis topicals for more targeted delivery of effects. 

Maintains Healthy Weight

Cannabis can be a successful aid for maintaining a healthy weight. Provided that you use the right strain and under proper guidance. Certain cannabinoids and terpenes are known to have appetite-reducing abilities. This is why people suffering from obesity can incorporate cannabis with their fitness regime. In addition to this, cannabis can also maintain a healthy fasting insulin level as well as reduce insulin resistance in the body. As a result, your metabolism becomes better and faster which leads to an easier breakdown of fats in the body. Also, a study claims that people who use marijuana have a smaller waist circumference and lower level of developing obesity than those who don’t. 

So proper use of cannabis can help you stay fit by keeping you from gaining excess weight. 

Regulates your Moods

Cannabis can result in a productive workout with its mood-regulating effects. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD have mood-altering effects on the body and brain. When taken in low doses, THC can have uplifting effects and lower your nervousness and stress. This is why having it before an intense workout can be very calming and relieve you of any stress. Similarly, CBD is known to improve the mood at any doses. Such effects are possible because the cannabinoids increase levels of dopamine and serotonin. These hormones stimulate happy feelings and lower your anxiety and stress. With a happy mood, you will have more motivation to stay fit and healthy. Also, as you exercise your body will release more of the happy chemicals and keep you in a balanced mood cycle. 

You must go for a strain with a good terpene profile such as linalool to relax your intense mood fluctuations. And also a lower THC ratio to CBD. As high THC levels can work the opposite way and trigger anxiety and paranoia instead of relieving you of it.

Improves the Quality of Sleep

While some types of strains can give you an energy boost, others are perfect as a post workout puff for relaxation. Strains like Black domina and sweet kush can help relax the muscles by releasing tension and creating a feeling of contentment after a workout. The sedative effects of the cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis relaxes the body and helps it recover efficiently. 

Not only does marijuana relax your body but it also calms your mind. As we have already discussed, marijuana releases stress and anxiety from the mind and regulates your emotions. As a result, you feel overall relaxation and fall into a deep sleep. 

Final Thoughts

Now you know why cannabis and fitness are a great combination. But, while it can help you keep your body fit and improve your workout. It all comes down to the choice of strain. If you end up with a wrong chemical profile. You may either not feel any benefits or have an opposite response. And we don’t want that. So it is important that you do your proper research or take guidance from the dispensaries or marijuana doctors. They can help you make the right choice and also prepare you for the effects that you can expect from it.