How to Enjoy It.
Known as the drug of the lazy, cannabis was seen as fuel for burnouts, couch potatoes, and stoners. But it turns out, that for a generation burning out on the stress of work and technology use, cannabis may be a gateway to a happy and active life. Legalization has paved the way for more open conversation and legal research of cannabis. Take that, Nixon!
Several studies have shown the pleasant interaction of cannabis with exercise and keeping our internal systems in balance. Did I mention that our bodies have an endocannabinoid system that can be activated by cannabis? Thanks to science, This is why many athletes have actually adopted cannabis to support their movement! From anti-inflammation to anti-anxiety, athletes can use cannabis, in the form of CBD and CBG, to perform better and feel good.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
You may have heard of the magical endocannabinoid system that exists in our bodies. It plays an important role in multiple aspects of the neural functions, including the control of movement and motor coordination, learning and memory, emotion and motivation, addictive-like behavior and pain modulation, among others. Endo, which means within, & cannabinoids that are the contributors to mechanisms that keep us stable and our inflammatory reactions in the central nervous system. The release of cannabinoids comes in the form of 2 receptos, CB2 and CB1, but we’ll get into that later.
Research psychologist (and all round rad human) Kelly McGonigal, explains that natural selection has endowed us with a way to chase our goals and keep going even when it’s hard. So basically, when our ancestors had to forage for food, run for their lives, and endure physical labor daily, their bodies released happy hormones to keep them going, because they had to. Lucky for us, it has allowed us to feel these happy hormones when we get to move for fun!
When we light up a joint or drink up an enhanced hydration supplement, the same chemicals that we feel when we exercise are mimicked by our best pal, the hemp plant. Today we’ll explore the compounds, CBD and CBG.
What is CBD and CBG?
Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of hundreds of compounds found in cannabis, and is present in both psychoactive marijuana plants and non-psychoactive hemp plants. Found in the stems and stalks of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) is another compound found in the Sativa L. plant and works in conjunction with the body's endocannabinoid system, responsible for the natural occurring "exercise high." Making it the ideal companion for making your fitness routine more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at how CBD and CBG can fight inflammation, reduce anxiety, and even get you that runner’s high.
Inflammation Fighter
One thing that can stop us from moving, is the feeling of inflammation. For my dad, at the age of 52, running would make his knees feel swollen and totally not fun. Luckily for him, Dr. Michael Verbora, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Aleafia Health and Professor of Cannabis, says that “CBD is known to be an anti-inflammatory and it is likely one of the safest medicines to provide such an effect.” Anecdotal evidence from athletes who are CBD-users tells us that anti-inflammation of joints helps them move better and feel better!
Studies have shown that the CB2 receptors could possibly suppress the release of cytokines. The process of inflammation is complicated, but we need to understand that cytokines are molecules that help cells chat with each other & they are said to regulate inflammation in the central nervous system. So the one thing that may get us back out there, is cannabis.
Focus Inducer? OR Anxiety Reliever??
Contrary to the popular belief, cannabis has helped many athletes to tune out the noise and tune into their workout. While studies have just begun, people that use cannabis with their training say that it helps them to stay calm and present, by reducing anxiety. In a time where anxiety affects 18.1% of the U.S. population (& that doesn’t account for the millions of unreported anxiety disorders), understanding the effect of endocannabinoids is more important than ever. If I can enjoy exercise a little bit more, by reducing anxiety… sign me up!
Endocannabinoids can help us reduce anxiety and induce focus, neuroscientists have even referred to endocannabinoids, like CBD and CBG, as the “don’t worry, be happy” chemical. So if you chill out to Bobby McFerrin’s “Don't Worry Be Happy”, cannabis may be a gateway to reducing your anxiety.
Runner's High Achiever
Whether you are Jesse Owens, four time olympic gold medalist, or a fun runner (like me), we are all designed to enjoy cardio. Most of us, however, have been conditioned to sit all day. Causing our bodies to be tense and unable to enjoy movement to its fullest. Remember that endocannabinoid system that’s in your body? Researchers have found that the “runner’s high” is achieved due to firing up of the cannabinoid receptors in our brains.
So, if you’re like most of the population and sitting is your job... a CBD supplement may help you achieve that runner’s high. CBD works with your brain to facilitate the process of igniting cannabinoid receptors that make us feel high. If you are chasing a high, OFFFIELD might become your favorite training bud.
A Potential Gateway To Active Life
Just like OFFFIELD co-founder, Tony Fur, says; “(cannabis) allowed me to focus on myself like I’ve never felt before… It is a cheat code for mindfulness.” The effect cannabis has on your athletic capabilities is dope. So dope, that being a “dope” may have changed meaning in the time you’ve read this article…
Today, you read that cannabis doesn’t just help us chill out, but by relieving anxiety, we can focus more on our workouts. When we alleviate some of the burdensome effects of exercise with cannabis, like inflammation, we can biochemically conquer the “runner’s high” we strive for. Ultimately, I hope you send a postcard to your pals about how the right dosage of cannabis may be the catalyst that helps athletes achieve a meditative state, fundamental to reaching their full potential.
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].
