While it sounds like an oxymoron, adding cannabis to your exercise routine could have a variety of health benefits. Per a study conducted by the American Journal of Medicine, cannabis showed positive improvements in boosting metabolisms. According to the study, cannabis actually lowers insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels in the body. In essence, the study showed that cannabis directly impacts how your body processes sugars. The lower levels of insulin causes the body to be retrained to burn sugar for energy, therefore boosting your metabolism. During the study, the team found that participants utilizing the cannabis had 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% lower insulin resistance levels than non-cannabis users.
Specifically for runners, using cannabis for 4 weeks preceding a running regiment can help achieve the much sought after ‘runners high’. The runners euphoria is achieved because THC will store in the body’s fat cells. So, during running when you are burning the fat cells, the THC will slowly release in to the blood stream. The THC relaxes the body and gives that extra push needed to finish. In 2016 there was a report released by NPG Primary Care Medicine where the results of a study showed using medical cannabis could actually improve your forced vital capacity (FVC). FVC is a measurement of how much air is exhaled during a forced expiatory volume test. The theory states that due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabis we are able to increase the amount of air we can take in to our lungs. As a result, a runner will feel increased endurance and can push through with greater intensity during a workout.
Finally, cannabis has been shown in certain people to elevate muscle soreness and improve recovery time when used after a workout. Cannabis can serve as an anti-inflammatory that will help the muscles recover faster. The cannabinoids in cannabis will interact with the endocannabinoid system reducing swelling in muscles and joints.
So, the next time you visit NCW, speak to your technician about the best strains that could take your workout to the next level!
