Curtis Harwell Debates The Effects of Smoking Marijuana, Fitness and Working Out

Studies have demonstrated that the use of cannabinoids can reduce anxiety, but it does not have ergogenic potential in sports activities. An increase in heart rate and blood pressure, decline of cardiac output and reduced psychomotor activity are some of the pharmacological effects of THC that will determine a decrease in athletic performance.

Together with a healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise can reduce stress and give you a blissful state of mind that's hard to beat. Some may say marijuana can do that too, but mixing the two isn't a great idea. In the short term, it can detract from your physical performance and cloud your cognitive functions. In the long run, it dramatically increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Drag on the Brain

Smoking marijuana disrupts the area of your brain that handles coordination, perception and motor skills, reaction time and balance. Marijuana also impairs short-term memory and your ability to form new memories. That means you may also experience problems learning and remembering complex exercise routines that require skill and dexterity.

Effects on the Heart

Inhaling marijuana smoke can raise your blood pressure and almost double your heart rate. That leaves you open to a greater risk of heart attack or stroke. It'll also make it tougher for blood to carry oxygen to your muscles and vital organs, such as the heart and brain. This increased strain on your vascular system will lead to shortness of breath and sap your physical ability to keep up with others.