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Jennifer Betz

Using Cannabis While Working Out Could Have Surprising Benefits


Cannabis and exercise

Virginia residents can take advantage of medical marijuana products that may contribute to a healthier lifestyle!


If you’re like me, your 2020 list of physical activities included stirring the batter for your latest brownie recipe and lifting the remote to reassure Netflix that you are in fact still watching. It was a year where we all had an excuse to stay in, hunker down, and forget about personal fitness for a little while.


While avoiding cardio was one of my favorite parts of 2020, I am not thrilled about the fact that I now get winded just walking from my car into Duck Doughnuts. Some of us need all the help we can get in order to get moving again, and to combat post-workout soreness.


Cannabis-lovers will be delighted to know that their favorite plant may support a healthy lifestyle in more ways than one, and it could boost motivation to shed that COVID-19 (or so) that we gained during quarantine. Access is easy when you have a condition qualifying for treatment with medical marijuana in Virginia, and most patients can even have their products delivered right to their door!


Keep reading to learn about incorporating cannabis into your workout routine using products found in Virginia dispensaries in 2021.


(If you were one of the few who managed to get ripped and self-actualized in 2020, congratulations! Imagine where you’ll be after you incorporate cannabis into your fitness routine!)


Important Note: While we make every effort to ensure the information in our blog posts is up-to-date and accurate, this is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a condition that may be affected by increasing or changing your level of physical activity, please consult a doctor before adding exercise or cannabis to your fitness regimen.


Cannabis May Encourage a Healthier Lifestyle

Don’t let the old stigmas of Reefer Madness color your vision of what cannabis can do to help you be your best self mentally and physically. An increasing number of studies indicate that frequent cannabis-users are more physically active and less obese than non-users.


While a number of factors go into this correlation and more studies need to be performed before reaching definitive conclusion, many researchers think that cannabis may contribute to healthier lifestyles for some of the following reasons:

  • Reduced inflammation - THC and CBD may calm immune response and inflammatory activity.

  • Pain relief - Cannabis can help reduce nerve pain as well as chronic pain due to a number of physical conditions.

  • Better focus - Self-reports indicate that many people use cannabis to help them focus.

  • Reduced anxiety - Not all strains reduce anxiety, but those that do can help people get out of their heads about working out.

  • Decreased boredom - When your mind is focused, time passes more quickly.

  • Better sleep = Better post-workout recovery - THC and CBD are both effective at helping people get to sleep and stay asleep, giving your body time to heal from all those deadlifts you did after work.


Incorporating Medical Marijuana into Your Exercise Routine

Around 20 percent of US adults experience chronic pain, and more than seven percent of the population reports that their pain affects their day-to-day activities. If you fall into either of these categories, you may struggle to be motivated to even take a walk around the block, not to mention getting to that picnic spot at the top of Mount Rogers.


Using strains that are effective at reducing your pain and inflammation will certainly make it easier to get moving, keep moving, and recover once you’re done moving.


What to Look for at Virginia Dispensaries When You Want to Get Fit

The best strains, products and dosing will vary, depending on the type of pain you have, how much experience you have with cannabis, your lifestyle, your personal chemistry, and possibly even the type of exercise you are doing.


We think that experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun, but here is a quick breakdown that may help you get started (Remember that it’s always best to start low and go slow to prevent injury or feeling too high):


Best Terpenes for Pain and Inflammation:

  • Linalool

  • Myrcene

  • Beta-Caryophyllene

Strains to Look for in Virginia Dispensaries:

  • LA Confidential

  • Star Haze

  • Martian Monkey

  • Durban

Methods of Use:

  • Sublingual Tinctures - Sublingual tinctures in Virginia typically have a higher CBD concentration, which can be great for combatting certain types of pain. They generally take effect in 20 - 30 minutes.

  • Edibles - Edibles provide a body relaxation, but they take up to 90 minutes to take effect.

  • Vaping - Balance of mental and physical relaxation depending on strain. Cannabis products used through inhalation will take effect in about 5 minutes.

  • Topicals - Won’t create a buzzy feeling. Relief and preventative care for target muscle groups and pain points.


Cannabis May Help You Sleep, Which Will Shorten Recovery Time

There’s nothing worse than regretting running that extra mile or doing that extra set of reps because your back is too tight to get comfortable. You need sleep in order to recover from exercise, and cannabis can help you get the kind of restorative rest you need in order to keep moving after a tough workout.


Strains higher in CBD and/or Myrcene will probably help you relax tense muscles and get a full night of zzs. Use an Indica-dominant strain about a half hour before bed, drink some chamomile tea, rub on a cannabis-infused balm to soothe sore muscles, and get ready to drift off to dreamland.


Indica-Dominant and High CBD Strains in Virginia Dispensaries:

  • 3 Chems II

  • Vegas OG

  • Death Star

  • Purple Ghost


Get a Virginia Marijuana Card for a Complete Wellness Plan in 2021

In order to get the most out of using cannabis for better health and wellness, you need to have a Virginia marijuana card. When you have one, you can legally purchase a wide variety of cannabis products at any Virginia dispensary, and almost everyone in Virginia lives within a delivery zone!


Give us a call at (888) 633-5808, or make a telehealth evaluation appointment to get a medical marijuana recommendation today!


 

Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.

At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.


Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!


Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Virginia!




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