Exercise and Recover with These Cannabis Products
Looking to elevate your fitness journey as a New Year's resolution? For many, especially those new or irregular to the gym scene, post-workout soreness can be a major turnoff. Here's an intriguing solution: cannabis might just be the key you need.
When we exercise, our muscles experience small tears. While this might sound alarming, it's actually a positive thing. This tearing is essential for muscle growth and increasing strength. The resulting soreness is an inflammatory response to these microtears. Notably, CBD is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, and THC is also known for its pain relieving effects.
What's more, cannabis has been linked to enhancing the overall exercise experience. Another study featured 49 participants who ran over 3 miles under two different conditions – with and without cannabis. The outcomes were telling: runs after using cannabis led to less discomfort, increased positive feelings, a deeper sense of calm and enjoyment, a stronger runner’s high, and lower levels of pain. Additionally, a 2019 survey found that individuals who paired cannabis with their workouts reported more aerobic exercise weekly compared to non-users, with half stating it boosted their exercise motivation.
As we embrace 2024, if you're looking for innovative ways to improve your fitness routine and recovery process, consider cannabis. To get you started, we've rounded up the top reviewed strains and products for getting active and relieving aching muscles and joints:
Cannabis Flower for Exercise and Recovery
Whether you enjoy cannabis before your workout routine, or as a relaxing post-indulgence, these strains are top-rated:
Cake Crasher
Unlock creative euphoria with Cake Crashers. The frosting of this sativa pastry is trichomes, sprinkled atop bud of purple and deep greens, with layered flavors of cake, citrus, and gas. Expect a sugar rush from Cake Crashers in the form of stimulating, creativity-boosting, and blissful effects, perfect for the extra lift you need before exercise.
Wow I just love this strain. I can feel the lift
- Reviewer j****0, who added the strain helps them get active and provides energy
Grape Bubblegum
Grape Bubblegum is a deliciously deep purple hybrid that produces a grape-gushing flavor with unique, spicy undertones. Known for its pain relief properties, Grape Bubblegum makes for a great aid in getting your TLC post-workout.
Yum yum I shore do like grape bubblegum. Pain free and relaxed with a mood boost. One my favorites from MUV.
- Reviewer s****p
The Soap
The Soap is a refreshing sativa cross of Animal Mints with Kush Mints that will leave you feeling squeaky clean. High levels of farnesene, a terpene found in the skin of green apples, pull forward flavors of fruit and wood with a slight minty undertone. Anti-inflammatory properties and euphoric effects make The Soap a bright and balanced choice for any daytime consumer, and an ideal option for a pre-workout boost.
One of my favorite products whether it be small buds or large it gets the job done and gets it done right.
- Reviewer s****3, who added it provides energy and the urge to get active
Marijuana Topicals for Workout Recovery
Recovery days can be challenging. It's tempting to add those extra 10 pounds to your squat rack, but the real struggle comes when climbing stairs the next day (and the day after!). Fortunately, cannabis-infused topicals can offer relief. When applied to the areas that need it most, these soothing lotions and innovative transdermals provide relief for hours on end. Here are some of our top picks:
MÜV Pain Relief Cream
A 1-2 punch of CBD and THC, MÜV Pain Relief Cream brings just that – relief. Infused with 200mg of each cannabinoid for deep, localized effects, and all-natural jojoba, aloe, and shea butter help your skin feel silky smooth, this topical is a mainstay in many medicine cabinets for a reason.
Love this for aches and pain. It works great!
- Reviewer d****k
MÜV 1:1 Transdermal Patch
For the recovery days when you need cannabis to reach a little deeper than skin level, the 1:1 Transdermal Patch is to the rescue. Leveraging patented EnCaps™ technology, these patches allow THC and CBD to reach your bloodstream for systemic effects. Try applying to a thin-skinned area (think inside of your wrist, inside of your thigh) for full-body relief, or right where it hurts for more localized relief. Active for 72 hours to provide a low, steady microdose of 0.12mg THC and 0.12mg CBD per hour, this patch is the ideal addition to your workout and recovery.
I had injured my back. Within minutes of placing it over the strained muscle it felt much better. I am keeping on in reserve just in case my back decides to take itself out.
- Reviewer c****9
MÜV 1:1 Transdermal Gel
And for the days when a microdose just doesn't cut it, the 1:1 Transdermal Gel is on standby. Loaded with 250mg THC and 250mg CBD, each metered dose delivers 4mg of each, and leverages EnCaps technology to penetrate the bloodstream. Like the patch, you can apply on a thin-skinned area for full-body effects, or right where it hurts for more deep-reaching localized pain relief.
Best topical for pain relief I have ever used.
- Reviewer m****r, who added it helps her get relief and feel pain-free
Marijuana Vapes for Workouts and Recovery
For that on-the-go quick boost or fast relief, look no further than cannabis vapes. Inhale cannabis, exhale just what you need with these strains:
Jack Herer The Essence Cartridge
Ahh, Jack Herer. This The Essence 0.5 g sativa cart is one of the most legendary strains in existence and one of our all-time favorites. Known for its cerebral euphoria, giddy, and clear-headed effects, Jack Herer has been a longtime favorite for creative pursuits.
Perfect for anxiety. Calming then energizing. My go to for mellow wake and bake. Helps with my 🧘♀️ sessions
- Reviewer c****o
Blue Dream Sweet Supply Dart Pod
Blue Dream is a classic cannabis strain favored for its berry-sweet notes. The sativa strain is ideal for any time of day, providing cerebrally stimulating effects that fade to full-body relaxation.
Love it! Smooth and perfect for being active, being outdoors
- Reviewer s****e
Watermelon Zkittlez Sweet Supply Dart Pod
Watermelon Zkittlez is a mouthwatering candy explosion of flavor, delivering a powerful, head-rushing euphoria. With its heavy yet cerebral effects, this indica Sweet Supply strain is ideal for the end of the day, and especially for those post-workout aches.
Delicious 😋 and talk about pain free! One of my favorites and a must buy! A little goes a long way even for seasoned smokers.
- Reviewer m****e
Find the Cannabis You Need for Workouts and Recovery at MÜV
Whether you need a little help getting into your workout or extra relief in recovering, cannabis may help. Outside of our favorites listed here, there are countless options at your local MÜV Dispensary – options that suit all consumption, flavor, and effect preferences. Shop online now or in-store with your favorite Cannabis Advisors to kick your workout and recovery into high gear!
References:
- Gibson LP, Bryan AD. Running High: Cannabis Users' Subjective Experience of Exercise During Legal Market Cannabis Use Versus No Use in a Naturalistic Setting. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023 Jul 13. doi: 10.1089/can.2022.0338. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37440169.
- Ogle WL, Gold GJ, Coppen LE et al. How and why adults use cannabis during physical activity. J Cannabis Res 4, 24 (2022). DOI: 10.1186/s42238-022-00134-z
- Peake JM, Neaubauer O, Della Gatta PA, Nosaka K. Muscle Damage and Inflammation During Recovery from Exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2017 March 6. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00971.2016. PMID: 28035017
- YorkWilliams SL, Gust CJ, Mueller R, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE, Gillman AS, Bryan AD. The New Runner's High? Examining Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Exercise Behavior in States With Legalized Cannabis. Front. Public Health. 30 April 2019. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00099
Content Manager for MÜV Florida and Contributor for Zen Leaf Dispensaries. A cannabis connoisseur with a passion for explaining the miraculous possibility of the plant, Swan began her journey with cannabis as a recreational user and quickly realized its positive impact on her depression and severe anxiety. She joined the cannabis industry as Receptionist and MedTender and witnessed first-hand the immense potential of the plant for a wide variety of ailments, deepening her passion for alternative medicine. Swan is dedicated to self-education on the plant and sharing its potential with all. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Iowa.
