Bodybuilding may be tough and difficult. Aside from intense training and a tight diet, bodybuilders may face mental problems such as stress, anxiety, a lack of desire, and the pressure of competition.
Cannabis is known to be a stress reliever, so if you’re a bodybuilder, you might question if introducing it into your training routine can improve your whole experience. All you need to include marijuana in your medical regimen is a medical card. You can obtain your online medical card from the comfort of your home by using one of the many telemedicine platforms available.
According to anecdotal evidence, cannabinoids such as CBD and THC aid with muscle rehabilitation. They are also effective pain relievers, reducing discomfort and muscle spasms. But may marijuana also help you gain muscular mass?
Cannabis 101
First, the basics: Cannabis is a herb that has been utilized spiritually and medicinally for ages. The plant originated in Central Asia but is now spread throughout the world.
Marijuana has psychoactive qualities, which means it alters brain activity. This could encompass everything from mood to ideas, emotions, and action. This explains why humans feel “high” when we consume cannabis products, particularly those strong in THC.
This high is possible thanks to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a huge network of chemical impulses and cannabinoid receptors found in our bodies. The ECS regulates sleep, pain, temperature, and immunological responses.
Cannabinoids, such as THC, are thought to interact with the ECS, causing sensations of euphoria, sedation, and appetite. Because the ECS influences so many different aspects of the body, it makes sense that cannabis can help with medical conditions including pain, sleeplessness, and inflammation.
The Effects of Marijuana on Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is the act and practice of improving one’s physique via heavy lifting and following strict diets in order to achieve toned, well-defined muscles.
Nutrition is important because what you eat has a direct impact on your mental and physical wellbeing. This is why bodybuilders are so particular about what they put into their bodies. That is also why some people are unsure whether marijuana will help or hinder their success in the gym. Here’s everything we know so far.
Weed and Muscle Growth
Cannabis use does not appear to have a direct effect on muscle growth. However, it may influence aspects such as appetite and hormones, which may have an impact on your bodybuilding progress.
To achieve hypertrophy (or muscle growth), you must follow a lifting program that stresses progressive overload of all muscle groups, eat in a modest surplus while prioritizing protein consumption, and get enough rest and recovery. Cannabis may help a bodybuilder attain those goals by increasing hunger, assisting with sleep and muscle recovery, all of which may help enhance muscle size.
Weed and Testosterone
As previously stated, the endocannabinoid system regulates numerous body processes, including testosterone production. This is important in sports performance because testosterone is a hormone that helps build muscle mass.
There haven’t been many human studies looking at the effects of cannabis on testosterone.
However, according to one study, cannabis use may raise testosterone levels in adult males. The study also discovered that men who used cannabis more recently had higher blood plasma testosterone levels.
Weed and Appetite
What we put into our bodies influences how we look and feel, so appetite is an important aspect of muscle growth.
If you’ve tried marijuana before, you may be aware that it causes hunger. Depending on the dose and strain, cannabis can significantly affect appetite by increasing food cravings and feelings of hunger.
Whether you’re training for a bodybuilding competition or simply want to improve your physique, you must eat to grow. This can be accomplished by eating in excess (a “bulk” or purposeful weight gain) or eating at or near maintenance (a “body recomp,” though this is a slower process). Marijuana use can help you keep your appetite up, which will help your muscles grow in size.
Weed and Performance
The jury is still out on whether marijuana improves athletic performance. Some people believe the plant has a negative effect on athletes, making them lazy, reducing reaction time, and causing fatigue. Others, such as many professional sports leagues, regard cannabis as a performance-enhancing drug that should be banned from competitive sports.
Weed may not help a bodybuilder lift more or gain muscle mass, but it has been shown to reduce muscle spasms, pain, inflammation, and soreness. Marijuana may also help you fall and stay asleep. These therapeutic effects work together to aid muscle healing and recovery after exercise.
Weed and Inflammation
It is natural for there to be inflammation. Our muscles get injured when we exercise, and when our body heals those injuries, our muscles get stronger. Waste products produced by the breakdown of muscle cells are eliminated by our body’s inflammatory response.
Increased blood flow to affected areas due to inflammation gives muscles the oxygen and energy they need to heal themselves. Although inflammation has advantages, it is also the cause of the soreness we feel after a strenuous workout, which is known as “DOMS” (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Fortunately, CBD, which is present in cannabis products, has anti-inflammatory qualities that make it perfect for relieving pain associated with exercise. However, we always recommend that you speak with an MMJ card doctor before using marijuana. This doctor will help you legally obtain marijuana and also offer other support.
The Conclusion: Is Cannabis Beneficial for Bodybuilders?
As you can see, using marijuana may have several advantages for bodybuilders, such as heightened appetite, lessened spasms in the muscles, and pain alleviation.
Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a useful tool for muscle recovery for many athletes. You might find it more motivating to continue going to the gym regularly. According to some research, people who regularly use cannabis are more likely to exercise than people who don’t use the plant. Hence, although research indicates that cannabis does not improve exercise capacity or performance, there appears to be a link between marijuana use and increased motivation to work out.
To truly confirm the positive effects cannabis may have on bodybuilders, professional athletes, and overall sport performance, more research is required by the scientific community.
In the interim, discuss marijuana use with your bodybuilding coach if you’re not sure if it will be beneficial for you. They might advise against using marijuana during your cut because you’ll be in a caloric deficit and the munchies will be more tempting, and they might advise it during your bulk to boost appetite while you concentrate only on muscle building.
You can also speak with a medical cannabis specialist to learn more about the potential short- and long-term effects of the plant on your bodybuilding endeavors.
