THC And Athletes – How Are They Connected? Find The Truth

For medical and recreational use, cannabis (also known as marijuana) is the subject of many regulatory examinations in many international jurisdictions. Cannabis may affect an athlete’s wellness and performance during practice and competition. Since Cannabis sativa and its components are illegal, substantial drug research has been delayed, and the therapeutic use of cannabis (sometimes known as “marijuana”) has been chiefly a patient-driven trend. 

However, new scientific findings of the pervasive ECS and its sites, ligands, and functional significance in various physiological activities have also encouraged interest in the medicinal potential of substances produced from cannabis.

Reduce Inflammation

The potential for cannabis to reduce joint and muscular pain is among the most interesting areas of cannabis research. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp. Researchers are looking into its potential to treat autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, rheumatism, and psoriasis.

Studies suggest topical solutions for athletes who wish to benefit from CBD’s anti-inflammatory qualities without consuming it or becoming high. CBD gummies and infusions are fantastic for recovering in highly concentrated doses.

Diseased

Exercise is frequently employed as a strategy for spotting and evoking the symptoms of underlying heart disease. Studies investigating the cardiovascular stress of workouts coupled with cannabis use in people with known CVD provide some helpful insight into the capacity of humans to conduct aerobic work. Still, their pervasive acceptance as conclusive proof of the consequences of THC on overall or high-level performance levels is probably misplaced. It is important to note that these investigations were never intended to answer these problems in particular and that this fact is sometimes forgotten when considering interpretation and applicability to the sport.

Chronic Cannabis Users

Knowing whether people who regularly use cannabis vary from those who do not in their capacity to exercise has benefits even at the most basic level. In addition, these studies can provide information about the potential long-term performance impacts of cannabis use.

Anaerobic capacity, stress markers, or inflammatory markers are unaltered in physically active cannabis users.

Reduce Pain and Swelling

Cannabis has been shown to reduce pain, which goes hand in hand with its anti-inflammatory qualities. One field of cannabis study has produced a lot of fruitful outcomes. Studies have shown that thc can reduce pain brought on by both acute pain from muscular spasms and severe pain, which is excellent news for everyone looking at other options to opiates, which are harmful and habit-forming.

Also read: 6 Ways CBD Can Help Your Health Every Day

Muscle Spasm Treatment

The use of cannabis to alleviate muscle spasms is one medical use for the drug. Cannabis has been efficacious in curing muscle spasms brought on by conditions like Parkinson’s and sclerosis, and its advantages may also apply to athletes with cramps. In addition, research on rodents has revealed some positive effects on muscle recovery and decreased muscle spasms, probably related to the compound’s anti-inflammatory capabilities.

Running enthusiasts and others who are active may prefer to use pills, tinctures, or meals. These substitutes won’t irritate your lungs or introduce you to smoke’s harmful components. They can also be more potent and have a longer half-life.

Edibles may also ambush you. To determine your tolerance, it is best to utilize thc goods in moderation. On the other hand, you may consume too much since it can take much longer than smoking to start working.

Wait a couple of hours before trying again. (It’s not the best idea to feel like you can float 7 ft off the ground, especially if it takes you off guard.)

Improve Sleep

THC is well known for its ability to make people go asleep, but research has also shown that it helps treat difficulty sleeping and even inhibit dreams, which is helpful for PTSD patients. Meanwhile, CBD can reduce daytime weariness and REM sleep problems, in which people “play out” their goals. Sleep is crucial for general fitness. Thus, this can significantly impact how well you perform in sports. It is well acknowledged that getting enough sleep is essential to an athlete’s recovery. 

Also read: How to Use CBD for Better Sleep

However, professional sportsmen have previously reported getting inadequate amounts and types of sleep. Sleep problems can result from several factors, including pre-game supplements, the timing of the competition, the effects of a long journey, and competition-related anxiety.

Improve Mental Acuity

Contrary to widespread belief, marijuana may not be harmful to brain health. It might even be the opposite. June 2017, released in Nature Medicine, found that regular, low doses of THC significantly improved cognitive function in aged rats. In addition, according to anecdotal evidence, several fitness professionals indicated marijuana helped them focus during their exercises.

Recommendations and Research Gaps

There aren’t many reliable exercise studies to examine how cannabis and THC affect human exercise ability and performance. Physiological capacity and efficiency are related but distinct from one another.

Productivity is ultimately influenced by factors including an athlete’s sense of time, pain, and suitable pacing methods. Cannabis or THC may have an impact on these factors. However, research into this has not been done. Studying healthy individuals with varying degrees of fitness and habituation is necessary, as is taking into account the many ways that cannabis is consumed and the pharmacokinetics determining when its effects will peak.

Conclusion

In the fight against using performance-enhancing substances in sports, one meaning nearly always goes unnoticed: cannabis. There are many ways athletes can use THC products to improve their performance. One of the most significant new trends in the health and wellness industry is the consumption of thc cbd oils, tablets, and beverages, given the lack of adequate study on efficacy.

Medical Disclaimer: All the content available on the website is just for informational purposes. It’s not a substitute for any Professional advice. Don’t take it personally. As a medical student, I’m just trying to use my information through my content, and please keep in mind it’s not written by a professional doctor. Use the data just for educational purposes.