Cannabis in sports: a natural aid for post-workout recovery?

You work out regularly and are looking for natural ways to recover faster after exercise? A recent study might be just the thing for you!

Background of the study

In a study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, researchers at Kent State University in Ohio surveyed more than 100 people who both used cannabis and regularly engaged in aerobic and/or resistance training.

Results at a glance

• 20% of participants reported using CBD for recovery after aerobic exercise.
• 23% use CBD for recovery after resistance training.
• An impressive 61% of respondents use THC for recovery after aerobic exercise and 60% after resistance training.
• When asked if CBD helps with recovery, 93% answered “yes,” while 7% were unsure.
• When asked about THC, 87% felt it helped with recovery and 13% were unsure. Interestingly, no participant answered “no” to any of these questions.

Conclusions of the researchers

The study authors concluded that cannabis, in addition to more traditional recovery methods, is used by regular exercisers as an ergogenic aid to recovery. However, they emphasize that more data are needed to understand the role of cannabis in post-exercise recovery and the perceived ergogenic benefits of cannabis in regular and habitual cannabis users.

Other interesting findings

In another study, twice-daily application of topical CBD was found to relieve chronic pain in former elite athletes. In addition, several studies have shown that cannabis use is associated with increased exercise frequency, even among older adults. A July study even found that subjects had “a more positive exercise experience” when they ran immediately after using cannabis.

Conclusion

Cannabis, especially CBD and THC, is seen by many athletes as a natural aid to post-workout recovery. While the preliminary results are promising, more research is needed to understand the exact benefits and potential risks. If you’re thinking about using cannabis as part of your recreational routine, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly research and talk to a doctor or expert first.

Source: https://norml.org/news/2023/09/14/survey-athletes-report-using-cannabis-products-to-promote-exercise-recovery/?link_id=8&can_id=727ca046d598a3ab89b24b1212ca3bc2&source=email-norml-news-of-the-week-9142023&email_referrer=email_2045059&email_subject=norml-news-of-the-week-9142023