Every gym junky would know the uneasiness that kicks in after a few hours of a grueling workout. It’s called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
Of course, there are several supplements to help ease the soreness. For example, protein and creatine supplements are the most popular ones amongst gym junkies.
Some even use over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen to help with recovery.
But did you know there’s an alternative available now and fast gaining popularity?
Well, you know it, or else why would you be here in the first place.
So, does marijuana really help with workout recovery?
Let’s understand.
The Reason For Muscle Soreness
For most gym-goers, workouts mean breaking their limits to an extent when the pain becomes unbearable. Indeed, the pain is a result of microscopic muscle ruptures that occur during workout sessions.
Perhaps, it is what helps build endurance and more muscle after recovery.
However, during recovery, there are other factors at play too that cause DOMS.
For example, gruel workouts produce lactic acid between muscles, which is also the reason for stiffness in muscles.
Pretty much, post-workout muscle soreness causes pain. And sometimes, the pain becomes unbearable.
How Marijuana Can Help With Muscle Soreness
Although the studies around marijuana and its effects on post-workout recovery are too slim, there is some evidence that it may help.
For instance, marijuana is known to help with inflammation. It might not help with the recovery process, as in rebuilding of the muscles and detoxification of the body, it might still be helpful in dealing with the pain.
A customer of the urban flavors dispensary in DC explains marijuana has helped him with acute pains.
Evidently, it may also help you get back to the gym faster after a heavy workout session.
Besides, the relief is often comparable to what Advil or ibuprofen has to offer post-workout recovery.
But, there’s a contrasting difference between these two – unlike Advil or any other over-the-counter NSAIDs, marijuana has lower health risks involved.
For instance, regular consumption of NSAIDs can increase the risk of rhabdo, and in some cases, a full-blown kidney failure too. This is not exactly the case with cannabis.
Mode Of Consumption Also Affects Your Recovery
If you are considering marijuana for post-workout recovery, you should know that your consumption method also affects your recovery.
For instance, edibles may set on relief a little late, which may not be as effective as you expect it to be. On the other hand, smoking marijuana may offer faster relief, say in 10 minutes.
Moreover, vaping and smoking have their own health risks, the ones similar to smoking tobacco.
Notably, the only healthiest way known till now is vaporizing your buds and then inhaling the fumes. This way, you neither get the harmful residues from the extraction process nor risk inhaling smoke.
The Bottomline
Marijuana may not be a long-term solution to workout recovery, but it surely does help with pain relief.
Perhaps, further studies may reveal its effectiveness in long-term relief from post-workout recovery.
