New research has demonstrated a production of a natural cannabis like compound when individuals workout. New research continues to come out that further demonstrates the potential medical benefits of cannabis. A good part of this research looks into the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is the body’s cannabinoid receptors and production of natural cannabis-like compounds.
Here’s what this new research study has to say about endocannabinoids and exercise.
Another Way of Looking at the “Runner’s High”
You’ve probably heard of a runner’s high, but new research says it might be a little bit more literal than it seems.
Many people find that they get “hooked” on how working out makes them feel. The body rewards physical activity and triggers a variety of naturally occurring “feel good” chemicals in the body. This is one of the big reasons why running feels good the better you get at it!
There was a new study in the November 17th edition of the scientific journal Gut Microbes. This journal demonstrated that individuals who exercise generated naturally occurring “cannabis-like” chemicals in their bodies while working out.
These chemicals are part of the body’s endocannabinoid system. Before we get into the research, let’s look at how the endocannabinoid system works.
What Are Endocannabinoids
We all know that the top 50 strains have an impact on our biology, but there are also naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body.
This is called the endocannabinoid system. It’s a system throughout the body that uses naturally occurring cannabinoid substances to trigger the cannabinoid receptors in our nervous system. The endocannabinoid receptors are everywhere from the central nervous system to our gut.
Research is still ongoing to understand the full effect of the endocannabinoid system on our day-to-day lives. There are connections with motor control, euphoria, and countless other experiences and systems within the body.
This new research into the cannabis-like compounds released during exercise ties directly into the endocannabinoid system. This is the same system that gets activated when you use cannabis products. Let’s take a look at what the study has to say about endocannabinoid systems and exercise.
What the Study Says
The research was conducted at the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine by Dr. Amrita Vijay.
The study had 78 participants with painful knee osteoarthritis. Of these participants, 38 did an exercise regime while the other 40 did nothing. These participants were compared to healthy adults without osteoarthritis of the knee.
Stool and blood samples were taken from participants. Those that exercised saw a marked increase in endocannabinoid production.
With the popularity of cannabis strains like the g wagon strain on the rise, researchers are putting more effort into understanding how cannabinoids affect the body.
The study appears to suggest that the body produces more of its naturally occurring endocannabinoids during exercise. This would fit with the lived experience of countless individuals who talked about the benefits of a runner’s high. One of the benefits of these endocannabinoids is that they have anti-inflammatory properties.
These have the same anti-inflammatory properties that we associate with use of cannabis products. These anti-inflammatory benefits are also linked to positive health outcomes. Research is continuing to demonstrate the benefits of increasing the amount of anti-inflammatory compounds in the body.
Where the Future of Cannabis Research is Heading
The future of cannabis research is coupled to the increasing popularity of legal weed. As more people look for products like the g wagon strain, edibles, and newer cannabis products, research around cannabis and the endocannabinoid is only going to get more robust.
One of the biggest setbacks for research into endocannabinoids, cannabis, and related issues has been the legal status of cannabis. As cannabis has become legal in more areas of the United States, it’s become easier for people to conduct research into these substances and how they might affect our health and biology. Researchers now have an easier time accessing both cannabis products and research participants for these studies.
Research is already connecting cannabis with proven benefits for pain relief, anxiety, and other medical issues. This is a huge step forward when it comes to building evidence that continues to demonstrate that cannabis is a viable alternative for medical treatments for countless different conditions.
The future of cannabis research will continue to look into these studies into the endocannabinoid system.
