Felix is what some people call a gym brother: he acts like anything, his closets are full of MyProtein supplements, he wakes up at 5 a.m. and heads straight to the gymAcademiaLift weights before work. After a day at a desk, the 27-year-old goes for an hour's run or bike ride before whipping up a dinner of—you guessed it—protein. than himrelieves the joint.
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"I usually justget richAt night, after all the work, the chores and exercises are done for the day," says Felix, whose name has been changed to protect privacy, as have others in this post. The rest of the night. He also has other rules, such as smoking at least two hours before bed to lessen the impact on REM sleep and never touching tobacco. "We all know that smoking is bad for the respiratory system," Road added. It's no surprise that fitness freaks are on drugs: you've certainly seen hordes of people on ecstasy and heard yogis talk about the spiritual journey of their latest mushroom trip. But those obsessed with sharing Strava stats or getting rippling muscles aren't exactly seen as the marijuana industry's target market — especially sincestereotypical stoner is lazyAnd without motivation. But Felix isn't the only one using marijuana. With the decriminalization in countries like the US and Australia, more fitness enthusiasts are talking about using it: evenArnold Schwarzenegger admits he was stoned to deathDuring his heyday in bodybuilding. Research also supports its popularity among fitness enthusiasts.one from 2017found that over 92% of bodybuilders get high, a 2020 study found1 in 4 athletes regularly uses marijuana... But what effect does marijuana really have on your athletic performance?
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27 rules for smoking weed, not dick
Becky Burgum, Zeng Zeng
Weeds and training gains
on aEssay on marijuana use by female athletes, Published inJournal of Physical Fitness ResearchIn March, researchers found there was virtually no difference in body composition, heart function, or strength between people who smoked marijuana and those who didn't. They compared female athletes who used marijuana for a long time with those who didn't, and the only change seemed to be that the female athletes who smoked marijuana weren't as strong, but they had better endurance. That could be good news for long-distance runners like Felix, who only recently started incorporating marijuana into his routine when he changed jobs and no longer had to take drug tests. "I know when, how and how much I smoked, but I haven't noticed a difference in my health since I started," he said. "It also reduced my drinking, which is a positive." According to Christian Cheung, a researcher specializing in cannabis use at the Human Performance and Health Research Laboratory at the University of Guelph, the science is far from certain. "Currently, there is very limited research on the long-term effects of marijuana on performance," Cheung told VICE. "A handful of studies have shown that marijuana does not affect long-term athletic performance, but this is far from conclusive evidence."
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Getting tall and getting in shape doesn't work for everyone either. “Once I started cycling to work and doing a lot of breathing exercises and exercising, I got shortness of breath, so I gave up cigarettes and marijuana,” says Carlotta Artuso, founder of Carlotta PR and a Reiki practitioner. After quitting, she says her breathing is better — though that could be because she "knows a lot of people who smoke weed and feel great" as she changes up her workout routine. These days, she caps off her day with a drop of her homemade CBD tincture (made from marijuana and alcohol): "It helped tremendously with muscle recovery and deep sleep at night."
Recovery from weed and training
While no studies have shown whether joints can replace protein shakes to help build muscle after squats, the most common reason avid exercisers (often in go-go-go mode) smoke is that marijuana helps them relax and recover:77% of active people reported using marijuanaIt has a positive impact on your performance by improving focus, energy, relaxation and recovery. Personal trainer and former Olympian Ava said marijuana was "the one thing I couldn't give up". Growing up as an athlete in the Middle East, she didn't get into joints until her final year at university in the UK.
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"I started smoking after I quit the sport and broke up," Ava told VICE. Now that she works as a personal trainer, eating is her nightly ritual to relax after long, intense days at work. "It also helps with my appetite because I have a hard time eating enough for the amount of exercise I do," she continued. "I never said smoking is good for you, but I've been researching how marijuana affects my training and muscle growth and it doesn't seem to have any side effects." A huge component of cannabis – CBD – has effectively taken over the fitness industry in recent years. Brands like PureSport are now targeting the methodical, jaded fitness enthusiast with products designed to help with sleep, stress, pain, inflammation and immunity while still being WADA certified. But if CBD is that good, is THC (aka weed) worth consuming? "Cannabis is made up of over 120 cannabinoids, not just THC and CBD," said Mags Houston, chief of programs and communications for the Drug Advisory Council.pharmaceutical science"And we're just starting to see the overall benefits of the plant and how it supports health, especially because of the stigma, the law and the drug story."
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Young women now use more marijuana than young men
Matthew Herskovitz
Drug Science is working to collect real-world evidence for the benefit ofmedical marijuanaFor people with health problems. “We measured anxiety, depression and sleep and saw significant improvements after just three months of cannabis use,” Houston continued. "When people sleep more, they perform better throughout the day, and that's what happens to patients who suffer."
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Then imagine the knock-on effect this would have on an athlete or fitness enthusiast whose extra 1% boost could prove decisive for their career or reputation. While some studies - like Felix mentioned - suggest that marijuana affects REM sleep,pharmaceutical scientific researchIt has been shown to improve sleep in people using medical marijuana.base for sleepingKeep in mind that certain strains, such as indica and sativa, may have less of an effect on sleep disruption and may be helpful in keeping THC spikes away from bedtime. In general, the calming effects of the herb seem to be gaining more recognition. Joints and food may even become staples of athletes' relaxation rituals sooner than we think. Earlier this month, the NBA announced it would no longer test players for marijuana. This comes after years of disciplinary action against basketball players and other athletes who use marijuana. In 2021, American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was banned from the Olympics after testing positive for marijuana. The ban raised questions about the reasons behind marijuana testing for athletes, but in 2022 WADA confirmed that marijuana remains on the banned substance list not because it enhances performance (like steroids), but because excitement during a game endanger people's lives. athletes
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exercise during an orgasm
It's unlikely anyone will perform well in their Olympic competition, but how exactly does weed affect a workout? Schwarzenegger says high-intensity exercise is "great," but expert Zhang says it's unlikely you'll actually hit the gym.
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Why do I sometimes feel nauseous or vomit after smoking weed?
Ross Buchanan
"More research needs to be done, but the overall research suggests that pre-workout THC has no effect, or decreases, on performance," he said. "Patients actually become more exercise intolerance after using marijuana," Cheung explains, meaning you're likely to avoid the gym when you're high. While some people like to use marijuana to feel a connection to their bodies — which can help you tune into your movements — personal trainer Eleanor Heaton-Armstrong agrees that marijuana should be kept out of the gym. "I certainly don't train hard," she said. "You need total focus, especially when you're weight training, and marijuana affects your coordination and balance." Heaton-Armstrong, a "downtime junkie," separates her health from her substance. But getting tall and exercising can apparently coexist. Relaxing and getting a good night's sleep is an underestimated factor in health and performance, so maybe having a thick skin is the key to unlocking new PRs? Get ready for me, Strava.
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FAQs
Is weed bad for strength training? ›
Building muscle and strength
On one hand, cannabis use is not recommended for strength and bodybuilding athletes prior to training, as it might impair performance, decrease testosterone levels, reduce exercise capacity and time to exhaustion.
Weed May Give Way to Creativity.
In simple words, you can not get enough of creativity while working on a business module. A study by the Psychology Times shows that weed can boost an individual's abstract thinking and ideas. Enjoying the jay under a recommended dosage can help you look for creative ideas.
Smoking may affect muscle mass and strength through several mechanisms and pathways. As one example, smoking increases the level of carbon monoxide in the body. This interferes with respiratory and muscle proteins, including hemoglobin, myoglobin, and other proteins.
What are the mental pros of weed? ›Many people report using marijuana to cope with anxiety, especially those with social anxiety disorder. THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses. CBD appears to decrease anxiety at all doses that have been tested.
Is growing weed a skill? ›A marijuana grower is a skilled professional, and they are often well-compensated for their skills.
Is growing weed a good hobby? ›IT'S FUN! This may actually be the most important reason of all. If you enjoy doing something, it will always give you great pleasure, and you will begin to view difficulties as stimulating opportunities. In many ways, growing cannabis is like growing any other plant: it can be a nice, relaxing hobby.
Is it OK to smoke after gym? ›So, to answer how long you should wait to smoke after a workout is best to wait for a couple of hours. Besides, a workout can help curb your cravings for a cigarette, so you can delay smoking for some period, maybe even for a day. So, the next time you hit the gym, try to avoid smoking for as long as possible.
Is smoking bad for gym? ›Smoking affects many aspects of your body, including your physical endurance. If you smoke, you get less oxygen in your heart, lungs and muscles. This reduces your physical fitness. It can also cause inflammation in your bones and joints that may contribute to other conditions like osteoporosis.
Can you smoke and go to the gym? ›The nicotine and carbon monoxide from smoking may make your blood “sticky” and your arteries may become narrow. Narrow arteries reduce the flow of blood to your heart, muscles, and other body organs, making exercise harder.
Does weed make you gain weight? ›In addition, in a study of cancer patients in which weight gain did occur, it was less than the comparator drug (megestrol). However, data generally suggest that acute marijuana use stimulates appetite, and that marijuana use may stimulate appetite in low-weight individuals.
Is weed good for happiness? ›
As a result of these effects, some report that cannabis sativa products offer some relief from symptoms of: Depression. With their reported energizing, mood-uplifting, and creativity-inducing effects, sativas may help combat feelings of lethargy and apathy.
What is a person who grows weed called? ›Since cannabis is cannabis, regardless of the end users needs, a cannabis grower may be called a Master Gardener or, simply a pot grower.
What age do people start weed? ›Problem cannabis users who eventually resolve their cannabis use problem started using marijuana for the first time at the average age of 15, with regular use starting at an average of 17 years of age. Though problem drinkers also start drinking at around age 15, their regular use starts later, at an average age of 19.
What are the cons of growing weed in home? ›Space, Cost and Time. In most instances, domestic cannabis cultivation laws require you to grow indoors in a locked space. Indoor growing needs a lot more equipment than outdoor cultivation and can take up more of your personal space.
What are the benefits to growing your own weed? ›- Full control over all environmental factors (light, temperature, humidity, etc.)
- Control over the plant's flowering period.
- Fewer chances for pests and insects.
- Year-round harvests (or more frequently than once a year).
- Consistency in the crop.
Does smoking affect muscle growth or does vaping affect muscle growth? Yes, it does. Smoking and vaping is not only bad for lungs but can also damage your muscles as smoking decreases the number of blood vessels that bring nutrients and oxygen to the leg muscles.
Does vaping affect muscle growth? ›Although vaping is better for you than smoking cigarettes, the nicotine in e-juice, e-cigarettes, and vaping pods can actually inhibit muscle growth. Not only will you have an increased worry about heart disease and high blood pressure, but nicotine messes with some of the hormones that are involved in muscle growth.
Does smoking increase testosterone? ›Smoking Increases Testosterone Early On
A study of more than 3,000 men published in the International Journal of Andrology found a positive correlation between smoking and increased testosterone levels.
Although the study in the International Journal of Andrology notes a small drop in T in men who quit smoking, Brahmbhatt points out that the positive impact of quitting vastly outweighs this short lived side effect (1). “If a man quits smoking he may have a slight drop in T levels— SLIGHT,” he says.
Does smoking stunt your growth? ›Not only can smoking on a regular basis stunt your own personal growth, it can also affect the growth of those around you. A 1984 study showed that children whose mothers smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day were, on average, 0.65cm shorter than the children of non-smokers5.
Will my lungs heal if I vape? ›
Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death.
Does bodybuilders drink alcohol? ›It's simple: Moderation is the key! (With the first place being abstinence as you already know). 1-2 drinks per day for the general public, is considered moderation. As a bodybuilder looking for the best possible muscle gains, maybe 1 drink per day or even 1 drink per week would meet your goals.