Marijuana

 rAdvantages of marijuana use was found in a March 31, 2024 article in The New York Times titled "Reaching a New High During That Workout.”  According to the article, cannabis  makes running more fun. Good news for cousin Lee  as he’s  a marijuana distributor in Arizona.  This essay pertains to marijuana.

The article reported that individuals use marijuana  not only to ease pain and anxiety but also for  motivation to exercise . A young female athlete.  Samantha , had difficulty  dealing with her intimidating  boxing instructor and  considered quitting the class. Then , she used cannabis to deal with her anxiety and found out that it helped her to deal with her instructor's tactics. She credits  cannabis for her success.

A male , with joint pain ,used cannabis to help him to  enjoy  running in the  outdoors.Cannabis allowed him to run without the discomfort. A serious female PhD  epidemiologist and olympic triathlete had a serious injury participating in the 2009 Ironman World Championship. She broke her  collarbone and badly injured her rib cage when she went over her handlebars.  Reluctantly, after years of chronic pain resulting from that accident, she began using cannabis. She discovered that it eased her pain and allowed her to  exercise again.  In fact,  with her positive experience, she created  The Cannabis Research Foundation.

Another female claimed it was  anxiety that kept her from exercising.  She also had a history of eating disorders and believed that moving her body was just punishment. That sounds irrational . However, cannabis was a quick fix and  helped her get past some of her fears. She  creatively started a company called Stoned and Toned which offers online workouts that combine cardio and cannabis.

A physician  and  head author in a research study  stated cannabis can help some patients with chronic pain. Another doctor proclaimed that cannabis can bring muscle relaxation  and it allows people to increase and maintain their physical functions.

On a personal note ,cousin Lee uses cannabis to help him relax before competing.  It helps him calm his  nervous stomach, and even uses it when running a marathon.  He said that about halfway when running a marathon , he experiences pain in his knees. He then takes cannabis,in pill form, which allows him to  focus on his music and finish the race..  

In previous years, when I was seriously competing, I periodically had overuse injuries.  My treatment evolved around rest,  hydrotherapy, NSAIDs, ice, chiropractic care from Matt, visiting the Monster of Massage-Veloce, and seeing Jim the physical therapist.  I didn't want to mask any injury  or make it worse. Rest, ice, and those other treatments assisted me greatly.  I never thought of cannabis as a treatment but I do now. 

In a previous life, in Detroit in the early 1970s, I worked in a methadone drug treatment program.  There, I had many conversations about legalizing marijuana.

PS

 On the other hand, an article titled " Exercise May Help People Cut Back on Drugs and Alcohol"  found that adding physical activity to traditional treatment for substance use disorders  seemed to lead to better results.  These treatment programs for alcohol or narcotic use included jogging, yoga, cycling, strength training, and walking for  about 3  sixty minute sessions per week.