The popularity of pre-workout supplements is hard to deny. These supplements have been used by everyone from workout coaches and experts to those who are hitting the gym for the first time in a long time. No matter who you are or what your level of experience with working out is, you have likely heard people talking about pre-workout supplements, and you might have been curious about them yourself.
Pre-workout supplements are used by those who are about to hit the gym for a variety of reasons, including:
- Energy Boost - You are likely to experience a flood of energy right as you take a pre-workout supplement. This is because most of these supplements contain caffeine. This will help you feel more alert and as if you have more energy to get through your workout.
- Increased Power - A pre-workout supplement can also be helpful for increasing your strength because it can contain ingredients like creatine and beta-alanine. These are great for providing a little extra rush of power for a short period of time (such as a workout).
- Delayed Fatigue - Among the reasons why people use pre-workout supplements is so they can avoid the feelings of fatigue that often come after a workout. If they can delay the feelings of fatigue, then they can potentially work out for a longer period of time than they might have otherwise.
All of these are great reasons for someone to consider a pre-workout supplement. These days, the public is also curious about THC pre-workout supplements and if they should consider taking those before they hit the gym. We will also explore that question with you today.
Understanding THC and Its Effects
Before putting anything into your body it is important to understand the potential array of impacts that it might have on you. THC is tetrahydrocannabinol and it is found in cannabis plants. It is well-known and highly praised because it can have psychoactive impacts on the user. This makes it an appealing option for anyone who is looking to experience some of the following potential impacts:
- Relaxation - Many who take THC products do so because they want to experience the relaxation that comes from taking it. They can feel the stress melt away from their bodies, and in today's highly stressed out world, it is nice to be able to reach for something that can take some of that pain and stress away from you.
- Mood Improvement - Another upside of using THC products for many people is the fact that they can enjoy an improvement to their overall mood. They might feel lighter, happier, and less prone to frustration.
- Pain Reduction - The relief that one can experience when they are released from the pain that they have been experiencing is another upside of THC usage. This isn't to say that all pain melts away, but there can be at least a temporary release from the worst of it.
Each user can experience a different set of experiences when they consume THC, and this is critical to note before diving in. Remember, the most important thing is to understand how THC could have an impact on your life and decide for yourself how you will safely and responsibly consume it.
The Role of Pre-Workout Supplements
While studies are inconclusive as it relates to THC being beneficial for exercise, here are some potential upsides to using pre-workout supplements in general. You can enjoy all of the benefits previously mentioned as well as some of the following:
- Improved Blood Flow/Circulation - Enjoy improved blood flow and circulation when you take pre-workout supplements due to the inclusion of elements such as arginine and citrulline malate. You can have a longer and more productive workout when your blood is flowing through your body more effectively and productively.
- Better Focus - A big part of the workout game is simply staying focused. Not everyone can maintain their focus for nearly as long as they might want to. They get distracted and end up not taking on as lengthy of a workout process as they might have otherwise. However, elements such as Alpha-GPC, Tyrosine, and L-theanine help the user to maintain their focus and not get carried away by every stray and passing thought that tumbles through their mind.
These are just two additional reasons why one might take pre-workout supplements. These, coupled with all of the reasons listed above provide the rationale for taking pre-workout supplements before you hit the gym.
Potential Benefits of THC Pre-Workout Supplements
You now know about the myriad of benefits that come with taking pre-workout supplements, and there are additional potential benefits from taking THC pre-workout supplements as well. Among the upsides that could come into play with THC pre-workout supplements include the following:
- Pain Relief and Relaxation - We all know that it is possible that a workout will cause some strain and pain on your muscles. That is a part of the process, but you can reduce some of that pain and even relax your muscles by using THC pre-workout supplements before you begin your workout.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction - How delightful would it be to enhance the stress and anxiety reduction benefits that already come with a workout anyway? That is exactly what you can do when you take a THC pre-workout supplement before you go to the gym.
- Enhanced Connection Between Your Mind and Muscles - Your mind is constantly sending messages to your muscles to respond how you want them to while you are working out. However, an enhanced connection between the two means that you can get more out of your workout than you might have otherwise. Those who use THC pre-workout supplements say that they experience an enhanced connection between their mind and muscles.
All of these things lead to a more productive workout that is more worth your while. You don't have to continue to show up to your workouts simply hoping for an okay experience. Instead, you should consider taking THC pre-workout supplements to get the most out of every workout session.
Potential Drawbacks of THC Pre-Workout
We have to be honest about everything and point out that there are potential drawbacks to taking THC pre-workout supplements as well. Among the potential drawbacks include the following:
- Reduced Coordination - One of the impacts of THC for some users is that they might experience a drop in their overall coordination levels. They may also feel a drop in their reaction times, and this can be a bit challenging when trying to workout. After all, you are calling upon your body to respond to the various exercises that you are putting it through, and it can be potentially dangerous to have a significant drop in your reaction times.
- Legal and Drug-Testing Concerns - Athletes and others need to be particularly aware of the potential legal and drug-testing concerns that surround taking THC pre-workout supplements. It is possible that anyone could be tested at any time, and the existence of THC within their system might disqualify them from an athletic competition that they are engaging in. As such, everyone should be aware of the possible issues here.
- Excessive Relaxation - While relaxation is seen as a benefit of taking THC products, it can be a potential drawback if that relaxation becomes excessive. You certainly don't want to find yourself in a scenario where you are excessively relaxed and unable to continue your workout as a result.
Think carefully about these potential drawbacks before you ever decide to move forward with taking THC pre-workout supplements. It is not necessarily the case that these supplements will be what you want to engage with if you are concerned about these risks.
Can THC and Traditional Pre-Workout Supplements be Combined?
Perhaps you have considered what might happen if you combined THC with traditional pre-workout supplements. You should know that this is an option and can be done safely as long as you are fully aware of the way that various elements within each substance could have an impact on your body.
To safely combine THC and traditional pre-workout supplements, make sure you start slowly and experiment with low doses before moving on to anything more intense. You need to try to find the sweet spot for your body, and that is going to vary from person to person.
You should also think carefully about how long before your workout you decide to take your THC and pre-workout. You might not want to do so immediately before your workout because you want to allow your body to catch up and begin to experience the impacts of these substances before you immediately jump into your workout.
Alternatives to THC Pre-Workout Supplements
Perhaps you have reached a point where you agree that the benefits of THC pre-workout supplements are something that you would like to experience, but you might not be too keen on trying THC pre-workout supplements themselves. If you are interested in potentially gaining some of the benefits of THC pre-workout supplements without taking the supplements themselves, then you might consider the following alternatives:
- CBD and CBG - There are plenty of people who like to take CBD or CBG as an alternative to THC pre-workout supplements because they know that CBD and CBG are not psychoactive. They may still experience relaxation, a reduction in pain, and more, but they don't have to deal with the psychoactive impacts that come with THC products.
- L-Theanine Plus Caffeine - The combination of L-Theanine and caffeine can be another great option for those looking to experience some positive impacts on their body before a workout. This combination is great for helping users feel focused but calm at the same time. They won't necessarily have to deal with the jitters that come with a pure caffeine solution, but they can still gain the boost to their levels of focus that they have been looking for.
- Music and Breathwork - A completely natural alternative is to simply use music and breathwork. This can help one find the right pace for their workout and also experience relaxation and a feeling of focus or being "in the zone". Thus, it offers some of the same benefits as THC pre-workout supplements but without putting anything into one's body.
These are all alternatives to THC pre-workout supplements that ought to be considered. There are plenty of reasons to think about your entire range of potential options when it comes to what you use before a workout, and it is good to know that you have options on the table.
Final Thought: Are THC Pre-Workout Supplements Right for You?
At the end of the day, you must think carefully about what you want to do with THC supplements. You have now been presented with some of the benefits as well as some of the potential drawbacks of THC pre-workout supplements. With that information in mind, you should contact a healthcare professional with any questions about if you should consider taking THC pre-workout supplements or not. He or she can guide you as to what the best option for you might be and what factors ought to go into making such an important decision.
Take a moment to share your personal experiences with THC pre-workout supplements and reach out to us today!
References
1) Burr JF, Cheung CP, Kasper AM, Gillham SH, Close GL. Cannabis and Athletic Performance. Sports Med. 2021 Sep;51(Suppl 1):75-87. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01505-x. Epub 2021 Sep 13. PMID: 34515970; PMCID: PMC8566388.
2) Rojas-Valverde D, Fallas-Campos A. Cannabidiol in sports: insights on how CBD could improve performance and recovery. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Sep 22;14:1210202. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1210202. PMID: 37808192; PMCID: PMC10556669.
