Few direct clinical studies have been conducted to determine whether cannabis improves cardio exercise. Nonetheless, according to one survey, 81% of participants said they were in favor of combining cannabis use with exercise. However, it’s always advisable to speak with a medical marijuana doctor before beginning to use it.
Other cannabis users claim that the plant boosts motivation and enjoyment while aiding in recovery after exercise.
On the other hand, in certain populations, combining marijuana with aerobic exercise may increase cardiovascular risks. Studies reveal that THC raises heart rate and blood pressure acutely and dose-dependently.
Therefore, for those who already have heart disease, smoking marijuana and exercising may raise their risk of having a heart attack. Consequently, in certain populations, marijuana use combined with aerobic exercise may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What Is Cardio?
Anything that causes a prolonged increase in breathing and heart rate is considered cardio. During cardio, the respiratory system has to work harder and blood vessels widen to supply more oxygen to the muscles. Additionally, endorphins—natural painkillers that elevate mood—are released by the body. The feel-good effects of exercise are also attributed to the endocannabinoid anandamide.
By enhancing its ability to take in oxygen, pump blood to the working muscles, and expel carbon dioxide and other waste products from the body, cardio exercises strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Cardiovascular exercise examples are as follows:
- Running
- Power walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Jumping rope
- Dancing
- Organized sports
How Marijuana Impacts Cardiovascular Fitness
There’s an interesting relationship between weed and cardio. Unlike the stereotype of the lazy stoner, cannabis users report enjoying aerobic exercise while high and are more physically fit than non-users.
What specific mood-altering effects does cannabis have that enable someone to enjoy vigorous exercise? Well, cannabis’s natural mechanisms of action are responsible for these mood-enhancing effects.
The hundreds of chemicals that make up cannabis, known as cannabinoids, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system through receptors. The main psychoactive ingredient that binds to the immune system, central nervous system, and brain cannabinoid receptors is THC. Cannabis affects behavior, mood, coordination, and pain response due to this interaction between THC and other compounds.
What impact does this have on cardiovascular health? Overall, research suggests that using cannabis does not significantly enhance one’s ability to perform cardio. It may even worsen performance in certain circumstances. However, in other cases, cannabis combined with cardio can unleash a host of benefits related to exercise that may improve your overall experience when doing activities that center around cardio.
Let’s examine some of the effects of marijuana on the body’s circulatory system and overall health in more detail.
Boosts Mood and Motivation
According to some theories, the way that THC and other cannabinoids activate the endocannabinoid system is similar to that of the “runner’s high.”
According to research, the reason why most runners experience a high during exercise is because their bodies naturally produce more endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide. Anandamide attaches itself to brain receptors that cause a euphoric, alert feeling. THC, interestingly, binds to those same receptors even more firmly, suggesting that marijuana may intensify that happy feeling.
Anecdotally, marijuana encourages people to work out more, maybe because it makes them happier. About half of respondents to a 2019 survey stated that using cannabis motivated them to exercise and that it helped them stay “in the zone” and make workouts feel less boring.
Alleviates Inflammation and Pain
Sports and other high-impact aerobic activities, like running, can irritate connective tissues, especially in older adults. Combining cannabis with cardio could help injured or elderly people get over their perceived physical limitations.
Research indicates that the non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana, THC and CBD, are effective in reducing symptoms of pain and inflammation. People who use weed and cardio can become less distracted by pain and fatigue, which will help them focus during their workouts and maintain an active lifestyle.
According to additional research, cannabis relieves the pain, spasms in the muscles, and stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis. These effects can all aid in the recovery process following a workout.
Affects Motor Skills and Cardiovascular Function
Performance is ultimately influenced by elements like an athlete’s stability, coordination, and reaction time. Research suggests that cannabis may impede these motor abilities.
Moreover, cannabis may pose cardiovascular risks.
The cardiovascular system is affected by cannabinoids in a variety of ways, including increased heart rate at rest, dilated blood vessels, and increased cardiac output. Users who already have a cardiovascular disease may therefore experience chest pain more quickly. According to the American Heart Association, using marijuana increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and heart attacks. This risk is especially present in the hour immediately following cannabis use.
Safely Combining Cannabis and Cardio: A Guide
It’s important to consider timing and administration methods (route of administration) if you want to benefit from the synergistic effects of cannabis and cardio, like increased motivation, pain relief, and muscle recovery. The following advice can be used to safely mix cardio and cannabis:
Skip Smoking Before Your Workout
It’s advisable to abstain from smoking right before a vigorous workout. Cardiovascular fitness depends on having healthy lungs, which can be harmed by smoking. Furthermore, the majority of research connecting marijuana use to heart attacks and strokes happens an hour after marijuana use. Therefore, it can be challenging to distinguish between the risks posed by the carcinogens and other pollutants in smoke and the effects of cannabinoid compounds on the cardiovascular system.
Luckily, there are various forms of cannabis. Before a cardio workout, it might be preferable to consume edibles, infused drinks, and tinctures that don’t involve smoking in order to improve mood and control pain. The following lists the approximate times for each product to enter the system, so you can schedule your exercise appropriately:
- The effects of edibles usually last for six hours or longer, but they can take an hour or more to start working.
- Tinctures have a shorter half-life—they start working in 30 minutes.
- With their fastest onset time of 10 to 15 minutes, infused beverages might be the best choice for runners who want to feel the effects right away.
But it’s important to remember that some cannabinoids, like THC, can raise heart rates even in non-smokers, so people who are at risk for heart disease should probably avoid consuming large amounts of THC right before working out, regardless of how it’s consumed.
Use Topicals After Your Workout
In order to benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of marijuana after working out, research indicates that CBD-dominant formulations can help relieve inflammation, stiffness in the joints, and soreness, in addition to dramatically reducing muscle aches. For locally focused recovery, topicals rich in CBD, such as salves, oils, and creams, are effective. For those looking for post-workout recovery without psychotropic effects, CBD topicals are also excellent.
Obtaining a medical card is essential if you intend to include cannabis in your treatment plan since it will provide you legal access to the drug in your state. From the comfort of your home, you can easily apply for a medical card online through a telemedicine platform.
The Bottom Line
There are currently no studies demonstrating that cannabis enhances aerobic performance and cardio. Nonetheless, there are a few benefits of cannabis use that can enhance a cardio workout, particularly its ability to improve mood and relax muscles. Significant anti-inflammatory effects are also exhibited by cannabis and isolated CBD, which can aid in sleep, muscle soreness, and recovery from exercise.
But a potential side effect of cannabis and cardio is a higher chance of having a heart attack. Before doing cardio, anyone with a history of heart issues or heart disease should see a doctor. They should also refrain from using marijuana for at least an hour before working out.
