Sports Science and Exercise – Can Cannabis Medicine Help Athletes?

In recent years, there have been some promising results in using Cannabis medicine in sports.

Cannabinoids like CBD and Endorphins are able to increase the levels of these substances in the body, enhancing performance.

These compounds are also non-psychoactive and are unlikely to trigger a positive drug test result.

CBD

Cannabis-based medicine is gaining momentum in the world of sports and exercise. Researchers are studying the efficacy of the herb for pain and inflammation, injury recovery, and even traumatic brain injury. While there are few studies specifically pertaining to sports, there is significant interest in the potential benefits of cannabis-based medicine for athletes. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, buds from medical marijuana seeds have powerful pain-relieving effects.

Although there are few controlled studies on the effects of cannabis on exercise performance, there are many reports of athletes using cannabis post-exercise. Most participants used cannabis as a recreational drug, while about one-third of them used it as a rehabilitative aid. These findings indicate that cannabis can affect the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and other vital organs, which may be consequential for performance during exercise. Consequently, further studies are needed to determine whether cannabis can improve exercise performance.

Endorphins

Endorphins are chemicals produced by the brain during exercise. They are responsible for the high we feel after exercising. Different types of exercise release endorphins at different rates. Cardiovascular activity and weight training both stimulate endorphin production. These chemicals help us feel better by reducing the perception of pain.

Endorphins work by binding to receptors on brain cells and triggering a cascade of molecular activity in the brain. These compounds are responsible for feeling good, but their role in pain relief and well-being is not completely clear. There are even drugs that block endorphins in the brain, yet they do not affect pain levels.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are compounds produced by cannabis plants and are being investigated in sports science and exercise medicine. Although these compounds have not yet been proven to have any beneficial effects in sports, further research is needed to determine how they may benefit athletes. Further studies are also needed to establish dosing recommendations and assess the long-term effects of cannabinoids in the human body.

Currently, there are only a few studies on the use of cannabinoids in athletes. These studies focus on pain control, anti-inflammatory properties, and anxiolytic effects of cannabinoids. However, there is some evidence that cannabinoids may have some benefits for athletes who suffer from chronic pain and concussions.

Endorphins Boost Performance

Researchers have discovered that cannabis medicine has the ability to increase levels of endorphins, which are the body’s natural opioids that improve mood and performance. They work similarly to opioid painkillers in humans and produce a natural “high” without the side effects or risk of addiction. Endorphin levels in the body vary, so different people experience different effects. The “runner’s high” is one example. Until recently, it was impossible to measure endorphins in humans, but new imaging technology has now made that possible.

Endorphins are produced by the nervous system and are produced in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Increasing these levels can help relieve pain, improve mood, and increase self-esteem. Interestingly, the level of endorphins in the body can vary widely, and it is possible that lower levels of endorphins are linked to depression and fibromyalgia. However, more research needs to be conducted on this.

Cannabinoids Reduce Inflammation-Related Injuries

Cannabis is being studied for a variety of medical conditions, including inflammation and traumatic brain injury. Though there is little research in the area of sports medicine, cannabis and cannabinoids have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation. And cannabinoids are known to improve recovery after muscle strain.

Zeiger began researching cannabis after she was injured during a bike crash. Before his study, cannabis was banned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. However, after a series of postdoc fellowships, he moved to Boulder, Colorado, and started working at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics at the University of Colorado. Cannabis has many benefits for athletes, and it is also legal in some places.

Cannabinoids Reduce Angina

A 63-year-old man presented for medical cannabis consultation. He had failed both first and second-line polypharmaceutical therapy for frequent unprovoked angina and exertional dyspnea.

The patient first presented with suspected myocardial infarction 22 years ago and was diagnosed with triple-vessel CAD in 2010. He underwent a stent placement and underwent six years of medical management.

Studies have shown that cannabinoids reduce the time it takes to exercise until angina occurs. While angina is not a major limiting concern for most exercisers, some research has suggested that cannabis may impair cardiac function in patients with the impaired coronary flow.

However, the methods of administration used in earlier studies involved smoking, which may have contributed to the increased incidence of angina.

Featured Image: Cannabis Health News