The amount of things to do while high is quite literally endless. If you’re looking for some fun outdoor activities, take Mary Poppin’s advice and go fly a kite or indulge your inner Indiana Jones and take a nature walk. Don’t feel like tackling the great outdoors? Fish out that jigsaw puzzle you’ve been meaning to put together or blast some of your favorite tunes while you fiddle with the treble and bass. Yet there’s one activity that might seem to be a bit more on the challenging side: going to the gym. And not just going to the gym, but actually working out and seeing if it’s possible. In this article, we’ll be tackling a unique question regarding working out while high to effectively answer the question, “Can I work out while high?”
Understanding the Strains of Cannabis
Before you munch on your favorite gummies or puff on your preferred vape cart, it’s critical that you know what’s in your edibles or inhalables. Cannabis typically comes in three strains: indica, sativa, and hybrid. The strain of whichever cannabis product you’re consuming can have widely varying effects, ranging from deeply sedated to alert and focused. Let’s briefly recap the three strains and see how they may be able to help in terms of working out.
Indica
Easily remembered by the phrase “in da couch,” indica strains tend to have deeply relaxing effects. This heavy relaxation can make you feel locked in place and can cause some disorientation that will make you want to sit or lie down. For those reasons, it’s probably not a good idea to consume indica strains while working out. However, indica strains might be a smart choice for those who want a way to relax post-workout with a feeling of achievement and pride.
Sativa
Sativa strains tend to fall on the opposite end of the spectrum, offering creativity and focus during your high rather than sedation and immobility. If you’re looking for some motivation to hit the gym, sativa strains are a great way to get you donning your gymwear and heading out the door. Sativa strains are also great for focus, as they can help you clear your mind and concentrate on specific tasks.
Hybrid
If you’re not sure which strain to go for, hybrid strains deliver the best of both worlds! Relaxation and focus unite in hybrid strains, though some hybrid strains may lean more heavily towards the indica or sativa strains. Sativa-dominant hybrids may leave you feeling comfortable yet aware of your surroundings, while indica-dominant hybrids might be a better choice for those who want to zone out and simply do cardio for a few hours.
Some Perks Of Being High
Now that we’ve recapped the different types of cannabis strains, you might be wondering how being high can be effective in a gym. The effectiveness of working out while high depends on the type of effects that you experience during your high. Cannabis users are familiar with the deep relaxation coupled with a strong desire to eat and drink everything in sight, there’s a few things about cannabis consumption that might change your way of thinking in regards to working out while high.
Inspiration
One of the biggest pitfalls of going to the gym is making the conscious decision to step foot into the facility. A lot of us have gym memberships that lay idle on our keyrings or collect dust in a forgotten desk drawer, while your local gym gleefully collects that monthly fee. In fact, that’s how most gyms stay in business! The mental temptation to shrug and just say, “eh, I could go if I really wanted to” or “I’ll go tomorrow when I have more time” is quite a powerful detriment. Unless you have specific goals in mind or have dedicated partners to go work out with, most of us simply keep the membership for the slight chance that we’ll go someday.
Cannabis consumption can help overcome the mental battle to actually go to the gym and feel good about that decision. You might be surprised to find that you now look forward to going to the gym and spending an hour or two there without even realizing it. Working out while high might prove to be more enjoyable than watching TV for hours as you’re fascinated by the pretty colors or rummaging in your fridge and pantry for whatever snacks you can find.
Eliminating Negative Energy
One of the most enjoyable things about being high is the delicious concoction of positive emotions. Happiness abounds when you’re high, making you feel like you’re literally on cloud 9. The calming relaxation that descends upon your overactive mind delivers the perfect amount of zen that ensures you’re comfortable for hours on end. The blissful euphoria, heightened sensitivity to touch, smell, and taste along with the uplifted mood brings enhanced realization of what the phrase “feeling myself” actually means. In a gym environment, you may find yourself worrying less about if people are looking at you and just enjoying the burn of your muscles as you toddle along in your workouts.
Time Becomes More Fluid
One of the most fascinating side effects of being high is how fluid time becomes. One minute can last for what feels like hours, while the next whooshes by and you’re shocked by how much time has actually passed. Many gym goers set a goal for how much time they want to be at the gym: a brief stint of cardio as a warmup, some more time for weights, some time for machines, and possibly some cardio as a cooldown. Being high while working out can take out the draining effects of planning what to do once inside the gym. Your mind will naturally gravitate towards things that look fun, whether that be the treadmill or the rowing machine or the dumbbells. Instead of watching the clock, you’ll become enamored with the most mundane things. Don’t be surprised to find yourself enjoying the growing burn in your muscles as you become delighted with how your feet pump and your muscles glisten with sweat in the overhead light!
Precautions of Working Out While High
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states, “for every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The action of getting high and going to the gym to work out is no doubt a new experience for some, which in turn demands some hefty responsibility for your actions while high. Let’s take a look at some of the dos and donts of working out while high.
Start Off Slow With How High You Get
Working out while high might be completely new to you, despite “stone-cisers” praising every aspect of it. Remember that your high is completely unique to you! If you’re wanting to see what all the hype is about but are wary about the overall effects, start off with a relatively low amount. You can try microdosing so that you experience the benefits without being incapacitated, or cut your regular dosage in half so you don’t feel overwhelmed mid-session. Edibles tend to kick in between 45-90 minutes whereas inhalables will typically start within a few minutes after your first hit. The point is to work out while you're high, which will require a tad bit of planning to ensure you’re properly high right before you start your first set.
Preferable Workouts To Do While High
Some of us have preferences in what machines and equipment we use while high. Since being high can make you feel more floaty and relaxed, it’s strongly encouraged to take things slow. You probably shouldn’t jump into the free weights section or start doing bench presses right off the bat. Instead, start off with the light stuff and pay attention to what your mind wants to do next. Throw your regular routine out the window and just enjoy the lull of being in the gym working out. Take regular breaks to rest and make a point to remember just how good it feels to be back in the gym.
Stay Hydrated!
It’s very common to experience xerostomia (dry mouth) as a side effect of being high. That sticky dryness will increase as your body pours out sweat for the duration of your workout. Before heading out to do your workouts, make sure you bring a decent amount of water with you for before, during, and after your gym session. If you think you’ll only go through one bottle of water, play it safe and bring two. Don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to drown your insides with the cool and refreshing taste of crisp cold water again and again.
Avoid Driving (or Biking)
This goes without saying, but you should never drive yourself to the gym if you are or are planning to get high for your workouts. Not only is it dangerous, but driving under the influence is illegal and can be a serious buzzkill if you’re pulled over for your erratic driving. Believe it or not, law enforcement can cite you for a DUI even if you’re on a bike! If your gym is close by, you can opt for a leisurely stroll for your warm up and cool down. For gyms that are a bit further away from you, consider asking a friend for a ride or use a ridesharing app to get you to your gym safely. Thanks to the outbreak of Covid-19, several gyms offer online workouts or live sessions where you can workout from the comfort of your living room. If your gym is too far away and you still want to try to experience working out while high, definitely see if your gym offers any perks that will eliminate the need for travel.
Conclusion
The conscious decision to work out can be one that constantly gets put off, whether it be due to approaching deadlines, low energy levels, or whatever reason you tell yourself why going to the gym today simply isn’t feasible. Consuming your favorite psychoactive cannabinoid can help motivate you to don your workout gear and head into a dedicated facility where muscles grow and sweat pours. There are many positive outcomes of being high while working out, such as forgetting how much time has passed, actually enjoying the time spent doing your favorite workouts, and reveling in how good it feels to work out.
It’s also important to stay hydrated throughout your workouts and ensure you have reliable transportation to get you back home without ever getting behind the wheel. Working out while high is a unique experience that may completely change the way you view your gym sessions. Yet you should listen to your body and don’t force anything that might make you feel more uneasy or uncomfortable. The rule of thumb is always to start off slow and work your way up; you can always increase the amount you consume, but it’s impossible to reverse the effects once they enter your bloodstream.
Here at Native Extracts, we proudly offer an array of psychoactive cannabinoids that are sure to enhance your workout in both edible and inhalable form. Check out our collection of Delta-8 THC, Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC, HHC, and THC-O that come in indica, sativa, and hybrid strains. Each of our products have been subjected to rigorous testing by independent third-party labs to ensure you enjoy the three p’s: premium product, pure quality, and potent effects. If you’re not quite sure which product is right for you, feel free to snag some of our sample sizes as a way to “try before you buy.” As always, you can reach out to us for information regarding anything in this article or listed on our site. In our next article, we’ll be exploring one of the newer cannabinoids to hit the market, known as Delta-9o. How does this new cannabinoid compare to the traditional Delta-9 THC as we know it? The answer to this and more cannabis topics to come in the upcoming days; we hope to see you again soon!