Is it even possible to engage in physical activity while stoned on marijuana? The very idea seems to be a contradiction. Several famous athletes testify the substance makes them mellow, relaxed and focussed on their sport, yet many medical professionals maintain that marijuana has no athletic-related performance-enhancing potential and in fact impairs coordination, perceptual accuracy and concentration.

According to some experts, THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, causes a fatigue of the limbs and causes one to relax. Mostly, this is because the marijuana is smoked, a practice which does cause one to be stoned, but also has an effect on the lungs and upper respiratory tract. Many athletes disagree with the professional opinions. According to them then,  is it possible that athletes can use cannabis and still perform as athletes?

Many athletes refuse to smoke marijuana, preferring to ingest it via vegan fruit-and-nut bars or other means. Some testify that it helps them to remain focussed and attentive, especially when it comes to repetitive tasks such as running on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike in the gym. Swimming, cycling, and running are sports that revolve around repetitive motion, and apparently the rather boring, machinelike technique can become an rather engaging experience instead, especially when combined with the rhythm and beat of certain genres of music.

Is marijuana banned for athletes?

Yes, marijuana is on the banned substances list and every single athlete that uses cannot really understand why. People like Michael Phelps, Nick Diaz, (Diaz treats his ADHD using cannabis under California’s medical marijuana law) and Allan Iverson have used the substance.  Even the great Arnold Schwarzenegger was a user. Some athletes have seen their careers put on hold or stopped altogether because they were caught testing positive for marijuana.

Contrary to the stereotype of a stoned cannabis user lying on the couch until he/she recovers, athletes who use cannabis maintain that it does not impair mental and motor performance at all.

Olympic gold medallist Ross Rebagliati, who is now a cannabis entreprener, maintains that the lack of side effects is a major factor in his use of marijuana. “If you’re an athlete and you need to make choice between alcohol and cannabis, cannabis can help you relax, and help your body recover on a way deeper level than alcohol.”
Marathon runner Avery Collins, who has won international media attention for running races while “stoned” on cannabis, maintains that the substance sets the mind free and makes a run very spiritual experience in a sport that is very mentally taxing.

The debate will rage on, but the perception of athletes, in general, is that cannabis is harmless compared to steroids and other drugs that athletes sometimes resort to in order to enhance their performance and keep going.

Sources:

Thestonerscookbook.com
Theguardian.com
musclemissions.org
Civilized Life