The days when cannabis was demonized as a harmful drug are slowly fading into the past, as more and more research suggests that the plant may have various beneficial effects. With recreational and medical cannabis legalization picking up, it’s natural that its popularity among people will grow too. Nowadays, cannabis is available in many forms, including the ever-popular vape pens.
Vape pens are among the most efficient ways to consume cannabis, so it’s understandable that some sports enthusiasts might wonder whether they can benefit from this product. But are vape pens good for athletes?
Read on and find out the answer!
How Do Vape Pens Work?
Whether you want to vape cannabis, enjoy some ZAP Juice, or simply use a CBD cartridge, the process is pretty much the same. Pushing the button on your device activates the coils inside the pen, which in turn heat the e-liquid present in the tank and turn it into an inhalable vapor.
Learning about CBD and more would be beneficial since cannabinoids can have potent effects. It can help you select the proper dosage and avoid potential side effects.
The great thing about vape pens is that they come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are sleek, while others are bulky. Some have refillable tanks, while others are disposable. It all comes down to personal preferences.
One of the big advantages of vaping cannabis over traditional smoking is that there is no combustion involved. This means you consume the valuable cannabinoids in the product without inhaling significant amounts of dangerous toxins and carcinogens created when the plant material is burned.
Why Athletes Might Want to Vape Cannabis?
As an athlete, you might wonder when vaping cannabis might be better than consuming edibles, using a tincture, or smoking. After all, vaping is a relatively new way to consume cannabis, so why not stick to the traditional methods?
Fast Onset Time
Vaping offers one of the fastest onset times of all cannabis consumption methods. When you inhale the vapor, the cannabinoids are absorbed directly into your bloodstream through your lungs. You will feel the effects almost immediately, which can be invaluable if you want to experience relief as fast as possible.
On the other hand, consuming cannabis edibles results in a delayed onset time, as the cannabinoids need to travel through your digestive system before entering it. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Vaping also offers a much higher bioavailability than smoking, which means consuming more of the valuable ingredients in cannabis.
Relaxation
Vaping cannabis can let you quickly experience relaxation, which can be very important for athletes who need to reduce stress and anxiety before a big competition.
However, not all cannabis strains have the same effects. To achieve the desired effects while keeping your energy levels up, you must choose a strain with a high ratio of CBD to THC.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-intoxicating cannabinoid present in cannabis. It is crucial to maintain healthy stress levels while keeping you alert and focused.
Recovery
As mentioned above, many cannabis strains are rich in CBD – the compound known for supporting natural health and recovery.
This can be invaluable for athletes who often deal with pain, inflammation, and other issues that might hamper their performance. Vaping cannabis might help them promote better recovery and get the most out of their training sessions.
Research the Ban on Cannabis in Sports
While cannabis might become increasingly legal to use in many places worldwide, this doesn’t necessarily mean it is allowed in sports. Many sports organizations still consider cannabis to be a prohibited substance. Being caught using cannabis can lead to serious consequences, including a ban from competing in future events.
To stay on the safe side and avoid possible sanctions, you must research the cannabis policies of the sports organizations you plan to compete. Additionally, ensure that you are always up to date with the changes in the regulations.
If you experience regular drug testing in your discipline, it might also be a good idea to avoid consuming cannabis for several days or weeks before the event. This way, you can ensure that your body is free of any traces of cannabis at the testing time. You should also research the status of CBD in your sport, as it is not included in the WADA-banned substances list.
Conclusion
To sum up, cannabis vape pens can offer numerous benefits to athletes. They can help reduce stress and anxiety and support natural recovery, and are known to deliver their effects almost immediately.
However, do thorough research on the policies of the sports organizations you plan to compete in before consuming cannabis products. You don’t want to get banned from competing because of something you took.
Hopefully, this article has helped you learn more about whether vape pens are good for athletes. Good luck!
