In the United States, marijuana is legal for medical purposes in 36 states. That means you can access cannabis products from medical dispensaries if you hold a recommendation letter signed by an MMJ doctor San Jose.
Marijuana is beneficial for people of all age groups and backgrounds. But, what about athletes? Do cannabinoids boost or affect athletic performance?
Since cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, etc., there’s no surprise that the herb is getting popular among athletes. And, athletes are turning to safe consumption methods such as vaping, CBD oils, energy bars, etc.
Read on to learn more about the effects of marijuana and its compounds on athletic performance.
The marijuana plant has over 100 chemical compounds called cannabinoids, THC and CBD are the two most important ones. When you deliver cannabinoids into the body in any way, they attach to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This helps in changing various metabolic processes such as pain, mood, memory, and sleep. Thus, athletes suffering from conditions like anxiety can talk to an MMJ doctor San Jose to apply for 420 evaluations.
However, there have been various studies conducted on the effects of marijuana on athletes. Researchers have found that cannabinoids can actually help boost athletic performance.
An elite triathlete Clifford Drusinsky says, “Marijuana relaxes me and allows me to go into a controlled, meditational place. When I get high, I train smarter and focus on form.”
Moreover, according to recent research in neurobiology, there’s a good connection between cannabis & long-distance running. Gregory Gerdeman, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Eckerd College says, “The runner’s high, as it’s been traditionally described, has been presumed to be caused by opioid peptides like endorphins.” The professor explains that the natural euphoria for long-distance running is caused by the endocannabinoid system of the brain, but not endorphins.
Dr. Johannes Fuss, a researcher at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, studied the neurobiological mechanisms that mediate the emotional benefits after acute exercise, termed as a runner’s high. Fuss found that the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in the emotional aspects of running.
Additionally, Fuss said, “Some researchers say long-distance running might have evolved in our ancestors when forests were replaced by open savannas in Africa. This land conversion allowed the chasing of prey by endurance running. Reduced sensation of pain and less anxiety through long-distance running would have been a benefit for running hunters.”
Additionally, researchers have found that marijuana can be helpful in treating muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc. Thus, athletes with muscle spasms can benefit from medical cannabis. Erich Anderer, M.D., Chief of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn said, “There have been studies in rodents showing some beneficial effect in muscle recovery and reduction of muscle spasm, presumably due to anti-inflammatory properties the compound possess.”
However, marijuana is included in the list of Schedule 1 Drugs along with heroin and LSD. The World Anti-Doping Agency declined to be interviewed on the topic. But, in 2013, they reported that they increased the levels of acceptable marijuana in the athlete’s body, and they won’t be disqualified for out-of-competition use. Still, marijuana use before a sporting event isn’t allowed.
In conclusion, marijuana use has many health benefits such as pain relief, boosted sleep, reduced anxiety, etc. Athletes can benefit from cannabis consumption in various ways. Cannabinoids can help them boost focus, promote relaxation, and improve performance. As marijuana’s effects vary from patient to patient, you should carefully select marijuana products to receive the required medicinal benefits.
Visit a medical marijuana clinic to apply for 420 med evaluations today!