The Effects of Marijuana on the Body

In Spain, cannabis is the third most consumed drug by the social sector of adolescents and young people. The first places are occupied by alcohol and tobacco. The statistics demand for authorities to deal with the matter.

The effects of marijuana on the body is often a topic of debate among politicians, doctors, and society in general. The issue of cannabis use is constantly being debated, as it’s one of the most consumed drugs in the world. Little by little, cannabis and its influence on people and social life becomes visible and ceases to be a taboo subject.

Effects of marijuana on the body and its impact on sports

The topic regarding the effects that marijuana has on our bodies is subject to controversy and scientific research. It’s no longer a matter of considering cannabis as the cause of the hippie phenomenon or character alteration. How can it affect sports performance?

What are the effects of marijuana on the body?

• When consuming marijuana, the reaction of each organism is different. Each body will respond according to the impact it receives. The testimonies of some athletes show that the use of cannabis doesn’t affect them all in the same way.
• The effects depend on the moment and the variety of cannabis that is consumed. There are species that have a higher THC index, which is the cannabinoid that produces more visible effects. 
• The amount you consume is a determining factor in the effects of marijuana on the body. If the amounts are low, you can experience a feeling of relaxation and pain reduction.
• Many athletes have stated that they achieve better concentration and that they feel more relaxed when they consume marijuana before or after their workouts. If the doses are high, the effect is opposite to what you might expect. It can reach a panic state and psychosis.
• The most well-known effect (and generally the most sought after by consumers) is euphoria. You can feel happy and for a few minutes, you forget your problems. There are cases in which anxiety and even hallucinations are experienced.
• For those who play sports, you must remember that the heart rate, which in a normal state is usually between 70 and 80 beats per second, can increase by 20 to 50 more palpitations after the consumption of marijuana. There are cases in which the heart rate can double.

Relaxation and lack of concentration

• The body relaxes. The brain and muscles unwind and lose the necessary tension, for example for athletes. Some people feel that this effect marijuana has on the body is good for the sport and allows them to perform better.
• Another effect that marijuana has on the body of an athlete is the alteration of perception. Cannabinoids impact the central nervous system and therefore, can affect the processing of sensory information.
• Psychomotor skills become slower. Many athletes state that they are less precise in their actions with marijuana in their system.
• Increase in appetite when the effects of marijuana take place. This is an impact recognized by all. You can feel more appetite than normal, which leads to overeating. This effect isn’t good for anyone, but it’s especially harmful to athletes.
• It produces addiction. This is an effect that enslaves; if it’s consumed frequently, its impact accumulates. The body doesn’t have time to recover between doses and the negative effects become more and more acute. The consequences can be very negative, especially for athletes.
• There are medicinal uses for marijuana. It’s proven to be useful for neurodegenerative diseases and for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Some people recognize that thanks to marijuana, they have returned to physical activity and sports.

Knowing the effects of marijuana on the body is essential when deciding whether to consume it or not. There is a fact that may be relevant: if you consume it frequently for a long time, inevitably the effects on health and sports performance will be negative.