Is It Bad To Work Out When High?
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Marijuana can have drastically different effects from one person to the next. Some people say they feel happy or relaxed. But there are other reports that marijuana can also cause less-desirable effects like anxiety, confusion, delusions, nausea, or even paranoia. Have you ever considered working out while high? In this article, I will explain how being high affects your workout and why it is a bad idea.
Is It Bad To Work Out When High?
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Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that alters your perception by changing the way the nerve cells in your brain communicate with each other. Working out while high is a bad idea, because it can impair your coordination and reaction time. According to Healthline,
“Marijuana can have drastically different effects from one person to the next. Some people report feeling happy or relaxed. Others report laughter, altered time and sensory perception, and increased appetite. But marijuana can also cause less desirable effects.”
Marijuana and the gym do not mix well. The CDC notes that cannabis can make the heart beat faster and raise blood pressure right after use, which adds strain on top of hard exercise.
Instead, prioritize sleep and a healthy diet, which do far more for your workouts in the long run.
Why Smoke in the First Place?
Considering that you are working out, getting high first is a poor decision, since the drug affects the brain functions you rely on to lift safely. Smoking of any kind is also banned in most gyms. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse,
“As a result, using marijuana causes impaired thinking and interferes with a person’s ability to learn and perform complicated tasks. THC also disrupts functioning of the cerebellum and basal ganglia, brain areas that regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time.“
Poor balance and slower reactions are exactly what you don't want under a loaded barbell or on a treadmill. Smoked cannabis can also harm lung tissue, which works against your cardio.
Is it Bad to be High When Working Out?
Yes, it is a bad idea. Being high impairs coordination, reaction time, and judgment, and it raises your heart rate, all of which make training less safe and less effective.
If you use cannabis where it is legal, keep it well away from your training sessions, and never drive while high.
Thank you for reading this article.
