drtbear1967
Musclechemistry Board Certified Member
theguerillachemist
Today, being #420, I thought it'd be appropriate to give some more insight as to the effects of THC as related to exercising. We all have seen Arnold smoking weed at the end of pumping iron, and he has said a lot of bodybuilders in his era smoked so that they could eat more food to get bigger, but is that the only benefit? Firstly, THC is lipid soluble, so it can deposit in fat cells after taking it. This is why it can be detected for about a month after use, longer if you have more bodyfat. However, in a recent study, it was shown that THC users have 16% lower fasting blood sugar levels, 17% less insulin resistance and lower average waist circumfences than non-users.
Researchers are currently looking into a link between insulin and THC, but it may help with metabolic function. THC has also been shown to activate the same endocannabinoid system that exercising does (responsible for "runner's high"). The body does thought to do this a a coping mechanism for pain relief and recovery. Maybe THC can have similar effects when used post workout? Perhaps even preworkout, as a professor at UT theorized. He says THC activating the endocannabinoid system acts very similarly to how endorphins work to help people push harder and increase their pain threshold. Another interesting fact from a study in France showed that after exposure to THC, the body produced more pregnenolone. This is a precursor to many of the body's hormones, including androgens. Pregnenolone has also been linked with improved memory and cognitive function, possibly through activation of the NDMA receptor. THC also has been shown to increase motor activity in mice. Just some interesting stuff I thought I'd share today. I hope you learned something and thank you for the support!
Today, being #420, I thought it'd be appropriate to give some more insight as to the effects of THC as related to exercising. We all have seen Arnold smoking weed at the end of pumping iron, and he has said a lot of bodybuilders in his era smoked so that they could eat more food to get bigger, but is that the only benefit? Firstly, THC is lipid soluble, so it can deposit in fat cells after taking it. This is why it can be detected for about a month after use, longer if you have more bodyfat. However, in a recent study, it was shown that THC users have 16% lower fasting blood sugar levels, 17% less insulin resistance and lower average waist circumfences than non-users.
Researchers are currently looking into a link between insulin and THC, but it may help with metabolic function. THC has also been shown to activate the same endocannabinoid system that exercising does (responsible for "runner's high"). The body does thought to do this a a coping mechanism for pain relief and recovery. Maybe THC can have similar effects when used post workout? Perhaps even preworkout, as a professor at UT theorized. He says THC activating the endocannabinoid system acts very similarly to how endorphins work to help people push harder and increase their pain threshold. Another interesting fact from a study in France showed that after exposure to THC, the body produced more pregnenolone. This is a precursor to many of the body's hormones, including androgens. Pregnenolone has also been linked with improved memory and cognitive function, possibly through activation of the NDMA receptor. THC also has been shown to increase motor activity in mice. Just some interesting stuff I thought I'd share today. I hope you learned something and thank you for the support!
