Cannabis and Its Effects on Exercise
The University of Colorado Boulder has been leading the charge amongst American institutions conducting research at the intersection of cannabis and exercise. Their work has been an inspiration to us from the start, proving that cannabis use in fact does not make people lazy. What it does do is still a mystery given that conducting proper research in the United States is still ridiculously challenging given its Schedule 1 categorization (which is insane).
Let’s jump into the most recent research coming out of UC Boulder: “Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study.” Which essentially means “We Let People Pick Out Whatever Weed They Wanted, Let Them Smoke It At Home, Run On A Treadmill And Tell Us How They Liked It.”
Turns out using cannabis before exercise has become more popular. Who would’a thunk?! We talk about this topic and benefits a lot. So much so that we devoted our lives to pushing the narrative into the mainstream through OFFFIELD. Unlike the products used in the study, we create products designed for exercise. Smoking, although a great way to consume cannabis recreationally, is antithetical to aerobic exercise. It’s not the cannabis that limits your performance, but the carcinogens found in smoke that heat up your lungs diminish performance.
The results of the study are very encouraging. Participants that used cannabis found exercise more enjoyable. OFFFIELD's tagline is “ENJOY IT.” We believe that the more you enjoy something, the more often you’ll do it. Our mission has two parts: 1) Challenge America’s sedentary lifestyle by offering a new perspective and experience to daily movement. There is an epidemic of inactivity in this country that is a battle of mind and body, not just image. We’re here to make it fun, friendly, and achievable. 2) Offer athletes an alternative to the synthetic junk they’ve been forced to use by pharmaceutical companies and committees for generations. It’s time to take it off the list because it didn’t belong there in the first place. Is it a performance enhancing drug? If improving recovery time, mood, and not subjugating young people to a lifetime of addiction to opioids, then yes. If it’s about shaving a fraction of a second off your time, then no.
Long story short, the results of the study showed that participants enjoyed their run more, but felt like they exerted more effort. We hope the next study has a few more controls. For example, dosing is an important benchmark. Especially in correlation to the participants size, cardiovascular health, benchmark tolerance, what they ate that day, etc. Using a specific product. No two things are alike, especially in cannabis. It’s hard to understand what’s really going on without knowing what’s really going on. And finally, longevity. We believe strongly that cannabis and products like ours carry the most benefits over a greater period of time. For anyone that runs, you know that doing two runs and comparing the two are a huge disservice to your understanding of performance. Some runs are great, and some are not just cause. It’s a part of the journey.
OFFFIELD is incredibly thankful to the team at the University of Colorado Boulder! Keep up the great work 🙌
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Gibson, L.P., Giordano, G.R., Bidwell, L.C. et al. Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study. Sports Med (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01980-4
A study titled “Enjoyment as a Predictor of Exercise Habit, Intention to Continue Exercising, and Exercise Frequency” emphasizes the critical role of exercise enjoyment in promoting long-term adherence to fitness routines. It found that when individuals engage in exercise that aligns with their preferred intensity, they experience higher levels of enjoyment, leading to stronger exercise habits, more frequent workouts, and a greater intention to continue exercising.
Enjoyment acts as a motivating factor, reinforcing positive feelings and commitment to regular exercise. Tailoring workouts to match individual preferences for intensity can enhance the pleasure of exercise, ultimately fostering better engagement and sustainability in health club settings.
Another study found that cannabis may be a primary motivator for people to exercise more often because it elevates their enjoyment. This is a key factor for OFFFIELD, as we are endurance athletes in every sense of the word. We’re not just focused on getting to the finish line quicker in our next marathon, but also getting to the finish line way slower when it comes to life.
All of our products are formulated to activate your Endocannabinoid System, responsible for regulating mood during exercise. Our High Performance line of products, including Energy Gummies and Sports Drinks specifically focus on enjoyment as a key contributor to overall performance enhancement.
Have you ever heard of a molecule, Anandamide? It's a special chemical in your body known as the “bliss molecule,” that helps you feel happy and relaxed.
When you run or do lots of exercise, sometimes you get a great feeling afterward or during longer duration training. This is called the Runner's High (you may have noticed we’re obsessed with it). Scientists used to think this was only because of endorphins, which are like natural painkillers. But now they know anandamide, a cannabinoid we produce in our body, is also the primary reason for the effects in both mind and body.
Anandamide works by fitting into receptors throughout your body, kind of like a key fitting into a lock. When this happens, it makes you feel good… real good. Funny enough, these receptors are the same ones that react to the chemicals in cannabis, or phyto-cannabinoids. Although similar, Anandamide is created by your own body.
So next time you're out running and start to feel amazing, you can thank anandamide. And if you want to hit it a little earlier, you can try our products designed to mimic our best buddy Anandamide. You don’t have to thank us, but we do accept compliments.
A groundbreaking new study conducted by researchers at Washington State University has revealed several significant health benefits associated with cannabis use, including a reduced risk of anxiety and obesity, as well as enhanced memory function. The findings, published in *Scientific Reports*, offer fresh insights into how CBG may impact mental and physical health.
Key Findings
1. Reduction in Anxiety:
The study found that individuals who had used cannabis within the past month were 31% less likely to experience anxiety compared to non-users. Participants who consumed cannabis recently showed marked resilience to stress, with significantly lower anxiety levels during the trial. These findings suggest that, particularly CBG, may offer a natural and effective means of managing anxiety without the cognitive impairments often associated with traditional treatments [oai_citation:1,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:2,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]().
2. Lower Risk of Obesity:
Another surprising outcome of the study was the discovery that recent cannabis users were also 31% less likely to be obese. This finding challenges the common stereotype that cannabis use leads to weight gain due to increased appetite or "the munchies." Instead, the study suggests that cannabinoids may influence metabolism, appetite regulation, and energy balance in ways that contribute to a healthier weight profile [oai_citation:3,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] [oai_citation:4,CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial]
3. Enhanced Memory Function:
In addition to reducing anxiety and obesity risk, the study found that CBG may enhance memory, particularly verbal recall. CBG appeared to improve participants' ability to remember and recall information. This finding could have significant implications for those seeking to manage anxiety without sacrificing cognitive function [oai_citation:5,CBG Shows Promise in Reducing Anxiety Without Intoxication - ScienceBlog.com]
Implications and Future Research:
These findings highlight the potential of cannabinoids like CBG in addressing some of the most pressing health concerns today, including anxiety disorders and obesity. As more people seek natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, the role of cannabis in health and wellness continues to expand. However, while these results are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to explore the long-term impacts of cannabis use on mental and physical health.
Future studies will likely focus on the physiological effects of cannabis, such as its impact on heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, as well as its broader implications for cognitive and metabolic health. Additionally, researchers are keen to investigate how different cannabinoids interact and what combinations might offer the most therapeutic benefits.
For those interested in exploring the details, the full study is available here [oai_citation:6,Cannabigerol (CBG) Reduces Anxiety and Improves Memory - Neuroscience News] CBG found to reduce anxiety and enhance memory in clinical trial].
