Cannabinoids Calm Post-Workout Inflammation
It was a great workout. Now you’re paying the price with sore muscles and joint pain. Rest and recovery are the answer. And a growing number of athletes are finding that marijuana may help speed up the process.
In a survey of more than 100 cannabis-using athletes and weight lifters published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, 93% of respondents said that CBD helped with exercise recovery, while 87% of the same respondents felt that THC also provided recovery benefits.
There are likely several reasons for this almost unanimous belief in marijuana’s restorative role in exercise recovery. Cannabis has a well-documented ability to promote relaxation, provide pain relief, and improve sleep – all of which can help make things better when muscles are aching. But the benefits of cannabis for exercise recovery go even deeper to include physiological changes in body chemistry that accelerate the healing process.
(Spoiler alert: It’s all about controlling inflammation!)
Exercise, Swelling, & Inflammation
Don’t worry, this isn’t a science lesson. While the information presented is based on peer-reviewed research, we’ll go easy on the medical jargon. (However, if you want to dig deeper, just click the links!)
Prolonged, vigorous exercise and weightlifting cause injuries that can result in painful swelling and inflammation. We’re not talking about big things like torn rotators or blown-out knees. It’s something that happens with every good workout or hard gym session.
For instance, when you’re working the bench press, your muscles tighten and loosen with each lift in what is known as eccentric and concentric contractions. Each contraction during the lift creates small tears in muscle fibers. A long run or bike ride can result in a different type of injury that is caused by repetitive stress on muscles and joints.
These exercise-induced tears and stresses send your body into repair mode. It begins with increased white blood cell activity that floods the afflicted tissues in a biochemical stew of compounds known as inflammatory mediators, which fight infection, boost immune responses, and start the process of tissue repair. This influx of blood cells and healing fluids creates the swelling, redness, and heat known associated with inflammation.
Need help reducing inflammation? CannaMD‘s team of medical cannabis physicians can help! Call (855) 420-9170 or get started here!
Less Pain, More Gains
Post-workout inflammation and soreness are part of a natural process that rebuilds, repairs, and strengthens muscles. The phrase “no pain, no gain,” got started with Jane Fonda’s workout videos from the ’80s. It was about the same time that researchers first came up with a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. They identified the major biochemical players in the inflammation cycle – a family of proteins known as chemotactic cytokines, and more specifically: interleukins.
Interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 are classified as pro-inflammatory interleukins, because they initiate the inflammatory response. If left unchecked, these interleukins will continue to elevate and prolong inflammatory activity. This can lead to chronic inflammation and contribute to a wide range of health problems and diseases.
Fortunately, the body has its system of checks and balances and – after an appropriate period of time – it releases interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 to slow or reverse the inflammation process. Studies show this inflammatory ebb and flow of cytokines becomes more pronounced during intense or long-duration exercise sessions, creating higher levels of inflammation.
How Cannabinoids Help Sore Muscles
Cannabinoids are bioactive compounds found in marijuana. There is growing evidence that they can help reduce exercise-related inflammation and potentially shorten the duration of muscle soreness.
Marijuana cannabinoids are chemically similar to the cannabinoids produced naturally within the human body. As a result, they have a unique ability to bind to the receptors of the human endocannabinoid system and can influence biological responses. This is why marijuana is referred to as a natural medicine.
The two major and best known cannabinoids involved in inflammation control for muscle recovery are THC and CBD. They provide pain relief and stimulate anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing the body’s production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
CBD and certain other cannabinoids go one step further. The scientific journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research reports that a dose of CBD, the cannabinoid CBG, or a combination of CBD/THC will not only limit the release of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 – the cytokines that cause inflammation – it will also boost the production of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10, which are the cytokines that slam on the chemical brakes to slow or reverse inflammation. From a workout recovery standpoint, this cannabinoid intervention can lead to shorter recovery times with fewer aches and pains along the way.
Another inflammation-fighting compound commonly found in marijuana is the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which is present in a majority of cannabis strains. Caryophyllene activates the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Choosing Medical Marijuana for Workout Recovery
There is a wide range of therapies to choose from when using medical marijuana for exercise recovery. The information presented here is for educational purposes and should not be taken as a recommendation for a specific product. CannaMD’s state-licensed medical marijuana doctors can provide additional insights on the subject.
Patients looking for an optimal combination of inflammation control and pain relief might opt for products with significant CBD content, moderate THC content, and elevated levels of caryophyllene. Higher dosage THC may not be needed for pain relief. Studies show that just 10 milligrams of THC provides similar pain relief as a moderately strong (60 mg) dose of codeine.
Another important consideration is the preferred method of medication administration. Smoked or vaped cannabis formulas can provide fast-acting relief, while edible formulas typically offer delayed, but longer-lasting, effects.
If you are considering medical marijuana for workout recovery and pain relief, CannaMD is here to help. Our team of certified medical marijuana doctors are prepared to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us at (855) 420-9170. You can also find out if you qualify for medical marijuana with our quick online application!
