Robert Celt
New Member
The mainstream media, pharmaceutical firms, and alcohol companies want you to associate cannabis use with lazy stoners who make late-night runs to Taco Bell due to extreme cases of the munchies. And while there may be regular consumers of herb who live a sedentary, snacking-based lifestyle, they aren't even close to being the majority. Herb can actually help to combat obesity.
Wait...what?
The fit life may become synonymous with the herbal life, and a lot sooner than later. A study of two large populations of U.S. adults in 2011 found obesity rates of 22 and 25.3 percent in non-consumers of cannabis, compared to 14.3 and 17.2 percent in so-called regular consumers (at least three times per week).
And in 2013 the American Journal of Medicine published a study that compared measurements of fasting and non-fasting insulin levels in adults. Regular cannabis consumers registered significantly lower levels in both tests than did non-consumers: 16 percent lower insulin when fasting and 17 percent lower when not fasting.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It removes glucose from the blood and makes it possible for cells to convert the glucose to energy or store it, as either glycogen or fat. (Mostly fat.) High insulin levels usually translate to higher fat on a person, and vice versa.
A different kind of runner's high
Some long-distance runners report consumption of infused edibles before long training sessions. Edibles are preferred because the high usually lasts much longer and because lung function is rather important to athletes, so most try to maximize it by avoiding all smoking. Whatever the method of choice, cannabis also helps to relieve the monotony of distance running and facilitate keeping a steady pace, which is very important in the sport. Talk about a runner's high!
Cannabinoids have, in fact, been shown to mimic the well-known "runner's high" and stimulate the same part of the brain as endorphins. They also cause the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. So, a post-workout toke or an edible consumed before exercising can reinforce the reward center of your brain, encouraging you to work out again. You will associate the work with the reward–and anything that encourages more physical exercise is a great thing.
All athletes deal with sore muscles; and cannabis can also reduce muscle pain from fatigue and overuse. Post-workout beers enhance the endorphin rush that accompanies a tough workout. But alcohol, even beer, after exercising is no way to rehydrate and is generally inadvisable.
Skip the 12-ounce curls
For one thing, the maltose in alcohol is the worst of all types of sugar for waist-watchers trying to avoid belly fat. Also, booze consumed in bulk suppresses the release of two major hormones: testosterone and aldosterone. Lack of the latter hormone tells the kidneys to maximize their removal of water from the body, resulting in dehydration. Not good after a workout!
There is also a thing called stress. It's a killer.
Stress causes systemic inflammation, the root cause of most human ailments. It can result in high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, and heart disease. It also robs us of sleep, in turn raising blood levels of cortisol, an adrenal hormone involved in the "fight or flight" response.
Cortisol causes massive amounts of glucose to be released into the body. That's terrific if it happens during an emergency, because it gives the body fuel to get away or to dominate an adversary.
Stress and cortisol, the silent killers
But when stress is constantly bombarding the body during non-emergency situations, cortisol becomes the culprit in storing large quantities of abdominal fat. If the body has really high levels of glucose all the time, the pancreas can't keep up with the need for insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
High levels of cortisol will also make the body crave high-glucose foods, which we know cause energy crashes and obesity. So, insufficient sleep is more likely than an evening toke to lead to that late-night snack. Not only is the appetite reduced by the cannabinoids CBD (cannabidiol) and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), but herb also can relieve stress, help you sleep better, and therefore reduce cortisol levels. Better sleep in turn enhances muscle regeneration and gives you the feeling of a clearer head. Win, win, win.
Yoga practitioners have for centuries extolled the virtues of stretching and proper breathing. Stretching the muscles leads to better circulation. Deep breathing exercises do the same and are also a tremendous stress reliever. There are yoga experts who say that cannabis and yoga make a fantastic synergy. (The use of yoga pants, however, has not been studied and is therefore not recommended outside of yoga.)
Think about it: Holding a pose for minutes at a time can be hard for those who live in the fast lane or have a difficult time relaxing. But relaxation is really good for those who are constantly stressed and on the go. So, what if you had something that could minimize the boredom potential of yoga, or repetitive cardio, or swimming lap after identical lap? Something that could help you fully relax, allowing for a deeper and more effective stretch?
Things go better with toke
For many health-conscious people, even strenuous pursuits like hiking, skiing, skating, surfing, and snowboarding are enhanced by cannabis. Here the sativa-dominant hybrids are generally preferred, due to their energizing and uplifting effects. Later that evening, to deeply relax, soothe sore muscles, and get a good night's sleep, an indica-heavy strain is a great choice.
Whether for medication, for relaxation, to avoid smoking, or to enhance activities, you can easily make your own infused edibles at home on your kitchen countertop in a MagicalButter® machine. The Botanical Extractor is the world's first push-button appliance for automatically converting cannabis to edible form to use in any of your favorite recipes. (Here's a super quick video on how to make MagicalButter in a few easy steps.)
All in all, the natural high of exercise is ideal for many folks. For others, combining cannabis with a physical activity they love amplifies the enjoyment of both. Neither group "wins", since people are different. Still, with new discoveries about the humble herb happening all the time, science may yet reveal that those who choose to include it in their health regimen are the fittest of us all.
For dozens of mouth-watering cannabis recipes, simple how-to videos, and info on how to get your own Botanical Extractor, check out MagicalButter.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Boone considers writing the cornerstone of communication. She interviews MMA (mixed martial arts) athletes for CombatPress.com and opines on MMA at FightItOut.com. She's passionate about helping folks tell their stories and making the world a better place, which includes working to win the freedom of Americans to partake of the herb. When not writing or playing beach volleyball, she can be found at her day job–for now. Follow Amber on Twitter @thruthetrees11.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Author: Amber Boone
Contact: Magical Butter
Photo Credit: from Magical Butter
Website: Magical Butter
Wait...what?
The fit life may become synonymous with the herbal life, and a lot sooner than later. A study of two large populations of U.S. adults in 2011 found obesity rates of 22 and 25.3 percent in non-consumers of cannabis, compared to 14.3 and 17.2 percent in so-called regular consumers (at least three times per week).
And in 2013 the American Journal of Medicine published a study that compared measurements of fasting and non-fasting insulin levels in adults. Regular cannabis consumers registered significantly lower levels in both tests than did non-consumers: 16 percent lower insulin when fasting and 17 percent lower when not fasting.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It removes glucose from the blood and makes it possible for cells to convert the glucose to energy or store it, as either glycogen or fat. (Mostly fat.) High insulin levels usually translate to higher fat on a person, and vice versa.
A different kind of runner's high
Some long-distance runners report consumption of infused edibles before long training sessions. Edibles are preferred because the high usually lasts much longer and because lung function is rather important to athletes, so most try to maximize it by avoiding all smoking. Whatever the method of choice, cannabis also helps to relieve the monotony of distance running and facilitate keeping a steady pace, which is very important in the sport. Talk about a runner's high!
Cannabinoids have, in fact, been shown to mimic the well-known "runner's high" and stimulate the same part of the brain as endorphins. They also cause the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. So, a post-workout toke or an edible consumed before exercising can reinforce the reward center of your brain, encouraging you to work out again. You will associate the work with the reward–and anything that encourages more physical exercise is a great thing.
All athletes deal with sore muscles; and cannabis can also reduce muscle pain from fatigue and overuse. Post-workout beers enhance the endorphin rush that accompanies a tough workout. But alcohol, even beer, after exercising is no way to rehydrate and is generally inadvisable.
Skip the 12-ounce curls
For one thing, the maltose in alcohol is the worst of all types of sugar for waist-watchers trying to avoid belly fat. Also, booze consumed in bulk suppresses the release of two major hormones: testosterone and aldosterone. Lack of the latter hormone tells the kidneys to maximize their removal of water from the body, resulting in dehydration. Not good after a workout!
There is also a thing called stress. It's a killer.
Stress causes systemic inflammation, the root cause of most human ailments. It can result in high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, and heart disease. It also robs us of sleep, in turn raising blood levels of cortisol, an adrenal hormone involved in the "fight or flight" response.
Cortisol causes massive amounts of glucose to be released into the body. That's terrific if it happens during an emergency, because it gives the body fuel to get away or to dominate an adversary.
Stress and cortisol, the silent killers
But when stress is constantly bombarding the body during non-emergency situations, cortisol becomes the culprit in storing large quantities of abdominal fat. If the body has really high levels of glucose all the time, the pancreas can't keep up with the need for insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
High levels of cortisol will also make the body crave high-glucose foods, which we know cause energy crashes and obesity. So, insufficient sleep is more likely than an evening toke to lead to that late-night snack. Not only is the appetite reduced by the cannabinoids CBD (cannabidiol) and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), but herb also can relieve stress, help you sleep better, and therefore reduce cortisol levels. Better sleep in turn enhances muscle regeneration and gives you the feeling of a clearer head. Win, win, win.
Yoga practitioners have for centuries extolled the virtues of stretching and proper breathing. Stretching the muscles leads to better circulation. Deep breathing exercises do the same and are also a tremendous stress reliever. There are yoga experts who say that cannabis and yoga make a fantastic synergy. (The use of yoga pants, however, has not been studied and is therefore not recommended outside of yoga.)
Think about it: Holding a pose for minutes at a time can be hard for those who live in the fast lane or have a difficult time relaxing. But relaxation is really good for those who are constantly stressed and on the go. So, what if you had something that could minimize the boredom potential of yoga, or repetitive cardio, or swimming lap after identical lap? Something that could help you fully relax, allowing for a deeper and more effective stretch?
Things go better with toke
For many health-conscious people, even strenuous pursuits like hiking, skiing, skating, surfing, and snowboarding are enhanced by cannabis. Here the sativa-dominant hybrids are generally preferred, due to their energizing and uplifting effects. Later that evening, to deeply relax, soothe sore muscles, and get a good night's sleep, an indica-heavy strain is a great choice.
Whether for medication, for relaxation, to avoid smoking, or to enhance activities, you can easily make your own infused edibles at home on your kitchen countertop in a MagicalButter® machine. The Botanical Extractor is the world's first push-button appliance for automatically converting cannabis to edible form to use in any of your favorite recipes. (Here's a super quick video on how to make MagicalButter in a few easy steps.)
All in all, the natural high of exercise is ideal for many folks. For others, combining cannabis with a physical activity they love amplifies the enjoyment of both. Neither group "wins", since people are different. Still, with new discoveries about the humble herb happening all the time, science may yet reveal that those who choose to include it in their health regimen are the fittest of us all.
For dozens of mouth-watering cannabis recipes, simple how-to videos, and info on how to get your own Botanical Extractor, check out MagicalButter.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Boone considers writing the cornerstone of communication. She interviews MMA (mixed martial arts) athletes for CombatPress.com and opines on MMA at FightItOut.com. She's passionate about helping folks tell their stories and making the world a better place, which includes working to win the freedom of Americans to partake of the herb. When not writing or playing beach volleyball, she can be found at her day job–for now. Follow Amber on Twitter @thruthetrees11.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Author: Amber Boone
Contact: Magical Butter
Photo Credit: from Magical Butter
Website: Magical Butter
