Until recently, cannabis (aka marijuana) was considered the illicit drug of choice for lazy teenagers. But since marijuana is now recreationally legal in nine states, it’s gaining popularity among one of the most active and focused populations out there: endurance athletes.

Sure, cannabis has a reputation for its sedative effects (i.e., the opposite effect you’d imagine an athlete would seek). However, it has also been linked to numerous other effects that may be advantageous to an endurance athlete.

Although cannabis is illegal in the United States on a federal level (as well as in the majority of states) and currently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), more and more endurance athletes are opening up about how the substance is helping them improve focus, ease exercise-related pain and boost recovery in between workout sessions and races.

So if you’re curious about this trend, here’s exactly what you need to know about cannabis and exercise.

Original article published March 29, 2018 at 09:25PM Source: http://bit.ly/2pNxFRg