Cannabis is an Ally for Fitness Enthusiasts Against Muscle Pain

By Leandro Maia 

Muscle pain is a faithful companion for those who engage in physical activity. The wear and tear on muscles is even more intense among professional athletes. The pursuit of better results in competitions demands high-intensity training. This leads to muscle fatigue due to exertion beyond the body's normal limits. The response of muscle fibers is injury.

MMA athletes, for example, use CBD for therapeutic purposes. According to research conducted in 2020 by UFC's Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, 80% of a total of 170 fighters interviewed from the world's largest MMA event use the product. 

Orthopedic surgeon and sports physician, Jimmy Fardin, explains that the cannabis sativa plant can be an important ally for muscle regeneration. According to him, who is also a prescriber of treatments based on the herb, the body releases free radicals and reactive oxygen species, which are the debris that cause pain. Cannabis has properties capable of accelerating the reconstruction process of fibers damaged by physical exertion. 

“Cannabis, through receptors installed in the muscles, such as CB2, can collect these debris resulting from physical activity more quickly,” he explained. 

The great benefit is the relief of pain more efficiently. “This happens because the plant reduces inflammatory cytokines and prevents the muscle from being injured for a longer time. Thus, muscle recovery and pain relief are faster,” he concluded. 

Lawyer and sales director, Tiago Zamponi, shares that activity and the use of cannabis-based products are part of his routine in Canada. This is because, in search of quality of life and aging healthily, he frequently runs, rides his bike, and goes to the gym. Of course, pain is his companion.

The Account of Those Who Use Cannabis to Alleviate Pain

On vacation in Brazil, to escape the snowstorm hitting Canadian lands this time of year, he has been suffering more from pain. This is because Brazilian legislation does not allow the use of plant derivatives without a medical prescription and without the authorization seal from Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency), so Tiago cannot use the products as he is used to in the country where he lives. 

“If I work out before work, I use CBD (cannabidiol), because I can continue working normally without any psychoactive effect. I notice that it immediately relieves my muscle pain discomfort,” he says. 

However, during this season in Rio de Janeiro, his body has been suffering from muscle discomfort. “I trained leg exercises yesterday, and today, I can hardly walk. If I were in Canada, I would have taken cannabis derivatives, and in 30 minutes, I would have much more mobility than I am having now,” he reports. 

Additionally, Tiago also observed that his performance is satisfactory the day after using the products, especially those containing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive substance found in the plant. 

“When I have very intense pain, because I injured myself, lifted the wrong weight, or overdid it in running, THC has given me better recovery performance. It alleviates immediate discomfort, and the muscle is less sore the next day,” he concludes. 

It is important to clarify that Tiago's testimony is not based on scientific study; he is merely sharing his perceptions about the use of these products that are permitted in Canada, the country where he lives with his family.