If you train hard, you are always on the lookout for ways to make the most of your workouts. From BCAAs to protein powders, gym rats love to get in on the latest health trends. Enter Delta 8, the latest trend in health and wellness. This exciting, new way to get the health benefits of THC has minimal negative side effects.
Traditional cannabis contains Delta 9 THC. Less potent than Delta 9, Delta 8 is often seen as the middle ground between CBD and Delta 9. Unlike CBD, Delta 8 does result in psychoactive effects, but with around half the strength of Delta 9. Delta 8 appeals to anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of THC and a milder high.
Increasingly people who exercise are using hemp products and marijuana before or after going to the gym. With more relaxed attitudes about marijuana use, the stereotype of the lazy stoner is fading away. Even fitness gurus are getting in on the trend, extolling the virtues of weed’s wellness benefits. Users often say that it makes exercise more enjoyable, and a recent survey conducted by researchers of people who mix exercise and marijuana found that they exercise for more minutes each week than their sober counterparts.
Benefits and Side Effects of Marijuana (Delta 9) for Athletic Performance
Marijuana can offer some benefits for athletic performance:
- Improves focus
- Improves sleep
- Treats muscle spasms
- Reduces inflammation
- Relieves pain and soreness
These benefits appeal to athletes who want to recover from workouts more quickly. Good sleep and reduced inflammation contribute to your recovery after a rigorous workout, leaving you more refreshed for the next workout. Improved focus or mental acuity can benefit athletes who struggle with performance anxiety.
Unfortunately, marijuana does have some side effects. It can impair your motor skills. Your coordination and reaction time can be impaired for 24 to 36 hours after use. If you are a high-performing or professional athlete or someone who prioritizes their athletic performance, this can be a dealbreaker. It also increases your likelihood of developing chronic depression or having a heart attack. If users smoke marijuana, it may negatively impact their lungs over time. For athletes who value their health and performance, whether to smoke marijuana involves weighing these side effects against the benefits.
Delta 8 and Athletic Performance
Delta 8 may offer high-performing athletes a helpful alternative to marijuana. Delta 8 delivers all the benefits for athletic performance of traditional Delta 9 THC with minimal to no side effects. This means that fitness enthusiasts who use Delta 8 may be less likely to see a decline in their athletic performance even if they ingest it before a workout.
If the thought of working out while experience a relaxing high is not appealing to you, try using Delta 8 after your workout. It is very unlikely that your performance will be negatively impacted during the next day’s workout. Because most of Delta 8’s benefits have to do with rest and recovery, this may be the ideal time to consume it anyway. Delta 8 is readily available in gummy form, which may appeal to athletes who are concerned about their lungs,
When you are incorporating Delta 8 into your exercise routine, be careful about the dosage. Start with half of a dose and wait the recommended time to see how it affects you. You can always consume more to experience the desired effects.
If you are a professional athlete, make sure to check which drugs are banned by your sport. Drug tests cannot distinguish between traditional marijuana and Delta 8 THC.
When you care about your health and wellness, only safe, high-quality Delta 8 THC products will do. At Happy Delta, we are on a mission to provide D8 enthusiasts with premium products like gummies, vape carts and disposable vapes in tasty flavors. All Happy Delta 8 THC products are tested by an independent lab for potency and purity, and the certificates of analysis for every batch are posted to our site. Shop our Delta 8 products today!
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