Cannabis is losing its negative connotation in society with an increasing number of U.S. states legalizing its recreational use. More studies emerge proving the medical benefits it offers consumers. Also, its application spreads beyond medicine and occupies more industries, including sports. Can weed be a miracle drug that enhances athletic performance, or do its side effects outweigh the benefits?

CBD and THC for Sports Performance

Cannabis contains more than 100 phytocannabinoids that influence human physiology. THC and CBD are the two most widely studied elements in weed and the most abundant compounds in cannabis-infused products due to consumer demand:

THC is responsible for psychotropic effects and is a popular ingredient in products for recreational use. It makes smokers high, and it is prohibited in sports. However, THC has certain benefits in treating and soothing symptoms of some health conditions. It can be useful for mental and physical recovery outside of competition.
CBD doesn’t produce psychotropic effects and can modulate the effects produced by THC. It is safe and non-addictive. It helps ease nerves, creates a calming environment, stabilizes mood, assists in focusing, and soothes aches after exercises. CBD was even removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list of substances as a well-tolerated cannabinoid without illicit performance-enhancing effects.

Other compounds naturally occurring in cannabis are numerous terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and more. They all work together and contribute to the entourage effect that has an amplified action.

Weed Benefits

Acceptance of cannabis in sports grows, and numerous fitness gurus and athletes praise its wellness benefits. However, the empirical case for or against marijuana use in sports is still unclear because of regulatory barriers that have limited its study. Recent research reveals the link between endocannabinoid serum concentrations and physical activity.

These are the ways how cannabis can affect the performance of athletes:

Cannabis reduces joint and muscle inflammation and diminishes pain, including chronic. CBD topicals and tinctures are especially helpful for locally targeted recovery.
Marijuana therapy helps alleviate muscle spasms and pain from injuries.
In low doses, weed helps restore cognitive functions and allows athletes to focus on workouts.
Cannabis induces sleep and improves sleep quality and duration. Everyone knows that sleep is important to overall fitness as a necessary part of recovery.

Professional athletes who have incorporated weed into their training and recovery routine use their voices to speak out in favor of cannabis use. Some of them have started partnering with marijuana brands or launching their own (just check dispensaries in Los Angeles and other big cities.)

Besides, the number of sports leagues that don’t test for cannabis is increasing.

Potential Risks

What are the risks of using cannabis for improving your athletic performance? Discover its potential disadvantages below:

Healthy lungs are essential for any athlete, and smoking cannabis can hurt athletic performance significantly. The lack of regulation in marijuana production leads to non-quality products that may contain toxins and irritants.
Long-term cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of mood and mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can be detrimental to fitness, causing various physical side effects. Depression increases cortisol levels, which lead to blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain, and a weakened immune system.
Cannabis can impair motor skills and decision-making. THC decreases reaction speed and stability, which is especially dangerous while lifting heavy objects; however, this substance can be a good supplement for recovery after workouts.

Aside from being helpful to older users in restoring their cognitive functions, marijuana is very harmful to the developing adolescent brain. It causes brain function and structure changes and leads to reduced cognitive performance.

Recommendations for Athletes

Athletes who want to use cannabis to improve their athletic performance should avoid unhealthy ways of its consumption. Avoid smoking and inhalation methods that cause vapor or smoke in your lungs. The safest way is to use tinctures, edibles, and CBD-infused products, such as oils and topicals.

Different styles of training pair with cannabis use in different ways. If you work out in a flow-state activity, in which you’ve mastered certain movements like martial arts and yoga, you may benefit from training while high. Instead, it is better to remain sober when performing activities requiring complex motor functions like powerlifting.

Keep in mind the timing of cannabis consumption. For flow-state activities, you can consume weed before working out. Athletes looking for pain relief and recovery benefits can use it after workouts or as a part of a pre-bed ritual.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis has gained immense popularity in medical, wellness, and sports communities. This plant has the potential to deliver various psychoactive and medical effects depending on its cannabinoid content. It can be viewed as beneficial for athletes, but more research is needed to prove these benefits. You can use it with caution until science paints a clearer picture.