Over the years, I have seen cannabis compared to many things, mostly in the context of how it should be regulated. The “regulate cannabis like alcohol” approach was valuable in the early days, as the public longed to understand what the legalization of cannabis might look like. Comparing it to alcohol helped allay their fears that young people would be able to access it (they haven’t) and that people would be allowed to drive while intoxicated. It also set up a known framework for the production, manufacture and distribution of cannabis. As legalization matured, it became apparent that the cannabis/alcohol analogy was not universal. While the regulations may be similar, the substances, outside of being potentially intoxicating, are not. Alcohol can cause diseases like cancer and increase the risk of heart disease, even when consumed moderately according to the Centers for Disease Control. Cannabis on the other hand, has proven health benefits for people with certain conditions like epilepsy and PTSD, and can treat the side effects of chemotherapy and other medications. Furthermore, there are no known negative long term effects for occasional cannabis use in adults without underlying conditions, other than the impacts of long term smoking.
Last year, I suggested that, given the relative safety of cannabis, we should look at coffee regulation as a model. Both are plant derived substances that can be mind altering because of chemicals contained within. Both have medicinal properties and both can be abused or bring on negative effects in some people. And, both caffeine and THC impact different people in different ways, largely connected to their tolerance. But today, I want to talk about a different kind of comparison. More about healthy consumption than regulation. One that acknowledges the potential health benefits of cannabis AND why moderation is important, as is choosing the right product and use pattern for YOU. Cannabis and exercise.
While we are constantly fighting for recognition of cannabis consumption as a healthy practice, no one will argue when you say that exercise is good for you. Exercise reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can help manage chronic illness, strengthen bones and muscles and improve mental health. Some of the same conditions that are helped by exercise are helped by cannabis, like chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety and sleep issues. If you tell your doctor that you want to start exercising, they will pat you on the back and encourage you to do so. If you tell your doctor that you want to start using cannabis, you are likely to get a lecture about drug addiction. So, how can these two practices be so alike and what can exercise teach us about mindful and healthy cannabis consumption?
If you have never exercised before, you are not going to run a marathon on your first day. Depending on your health, you are going to start slowly and build up your intensity. You may start by walking around the block. Then walking a mile to the store. Then you might try running a bit of that walk. The same goes for strength training. You will start with lighter weights and work your way up both in reps and in resistance. If you try to go too hard too fast, you might pull a muscle or a ligament. Cannabis is the same. When you are starting out, you want to use less potent products with less frequency. If you start dabbing on day 1, you may harm yourself or have a negative experience which will impact your relationship with cannabis in the future.
For some people, walking around the block is as far as they will go. They may have a physical condition that requires them to keep movement short and light. But even that walk around the block can be beneficial. Some people will always use low THC products because higher potency does not jive with their physical and psychological make up. The key is knowing what YOUR limits are and then recognizing that staying within them is the best you can do for your health.
Both exercise and cannabis involve feel good chemicals (in fact, it’s the SAME feel good chemical: Anandamide from the body and THC from the plant). Because of this, it can be tough to moderate the use of both. Symptoms of over exercising include feeling tired and depressed, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety and injury. These are not too dissimilar to the effects of too much cannabis. If we give in to the euphoria brought on by exercise and cannabis and use them as a crutch for mood elevation, we may in fact have too much of a good thing, which can have negative effects.
I love to run. There was a time in my life when walking out the front door and doing the 5 mile loop from my house, around Lake Merritt and back was my favorite thing. But, I also have back and hip issues, and after engaging in this type of exercise for a few years, my hips and back would hurt every time I did it. Finally, after back surgery, my doctor said, “no more running”. So, I had to find exercises that did not impact me in the same way, which I did. I didn’t stop exercising, but I chose a method that works better for my body and reduces the chance of injury. The same holds true for cannabis. There are a number of ways to consume cannabis, some harder on the body than others. Like exercise, the goal is to find the method that gives you the most benefit with the least amount of harm. And, knowing that, through our lives, the preferred method may change. I know several long time cannabis smokers who are switching to a dry flower vape because they are noticing negative effects from smoking. My dad was a marathon runner. Now he is almost 75. He still exercises everyday, but running is no longer his preferred method.
Finally, for both exercise and cannabis, mindfulness is key. Pay attention to how you feel physically and mentally during and after you engage in either or both of these things. If you notice a negative feeling, pay attention to it and ask yourself how you might be able to change your patterns to make it better. And, just as it is recommended to build in rest and low intensity exercise days, build those into your cannabis use as well.
Both exercise and cannabis can have short and long term benefits. And while exercise is widely regarded as a healthy activity, cannabis is still getting there. Both can provide relief from chronic illness and improve mental and physical health. But, both present risks. So, whether you’re thinking about running your first 5K or incorporating cannabis into your life… or your are a seasoned athlete who wants to stay active into older age or a long time cannabis consumer who wants to avoid negative impacts be mindful that when it comes to both exercise and cannabis, there can be too much of a good thing.
