Marijuana Effects That Promote A Healthier Lifestyle

A published scientific study claims using weed before workout either “increases motivation” to exercise or “enhances recovery from exercise.”

Researchers at the University of Colorado interviewed more than 600 marijuana consumers in states where weed is legal to assess how people use cannabis in relation to exercise. The results of the study showed that almost 500 of the participants used marijuana one hour before or up to four hours after exercising.

Those that did use cannabis in this timeframe worked out longer than consumers who didn’t use cannabis alongside the rigorous activities, according to the study published this month in the Frontiers in Public Health, which is a multidisciplinary open-access journal that publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research.

The study revealed that weed users worked out an average of 43 minutes longer for aerobic exercises and 30 minutes longer for anaerobic exercises.

Of the respondents, 70 percent agree or strongly agree with the statement that “cannabis increases enjoyment of exercise.” Another 78 percent said marijuana “enhances recovery from exercise” and over 50 percent said using weed “increases motivation.”

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to survey attitudes and behavior regarding the use of cannabis before and after exercise, and to examine differences between cannabis users who engage in co-use, compared to those who do not,” said the study authors.

“Given both the spreading legalization of cannabis and the low rates of physical activity in the US, it behooves public health officials to understand the potential effects -- both beneficial and harmful -- of cannabis use on exercise behaviors.”

The study flies in the fsce of the conventional notion that weed users are couch-locked lazies who only want to lie down after using.

Another recent study found that people who use marijuana are less likely to be obese compared to non-users.

Then, there’s anecdotal evidence from world class atheletes that do weed then go about their sport activities. British long-distance cyclist Roger Boyd, who has pedaled some 19,000 miles in the past two years, has admitted that he’s done much of his bicycling while using marijuana.

“I’ve always loved getting out on my bike and doing exercise while stoned,” Boyd said. “There is a negative perception about people who use cannabis compared to those who use alcohol, but alcohol is more harmful. There’s an imbalance there.”

Other athletes claim using marijuana before highly repetitive exercises such as running on a treadmill can make it more enjoyable and motivate them to run for long.