In order for a person to truly be able to grow their physique and build some lean, quality muscle, they need to fill their body with a variety of nutrients to help feed and nourish their muscles. Building muscle takes months, years even, and even then, you may still not see the results you were hoping for. Yes, if you’re looking for a quick fix or a miracle transformation, then bodybuilding isn’t for you. If, however, you’re willing to put in a great deal of hard work, self sacrifice, and dedication, you could very well cut out for this fantastic sport. To truly excel in bodybuilding, or even to help guarantee that you’re able to pack on some quality muscle mass, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes plenty of exercise and training, plenty of healthy and balanced food, and a number of other healthy lifestyle choices. Recently there has been a great deal of debate over the use of marijuana when it comes to bodybuilding, and athletic performance in general, which is why in this article, we’ll be looking at the marijuana effects on muscle growth.
If you’ve seen the hit movie/documentary ‘Pumping Iron’ starring Arnold Schwarzenegger before he became an icon, way back in the 1970s, you may recall a scene at the end of the movie, in which Arnold, whilst celebrating winning yet another consecutive Mr Olympia title, is smoking a joint whilst relaxing and unwinding after months of dieting and training. If weed, or marijuana, is good enough for the Austrian Oak, surely, it’s good enough for the average Joe as well, as it certainly didn’t seem to do Arnold’s physique any harm. Well, that was Arnold, it was AFTER a contest, it was one small joint, and, above all else, Arnold was, and still is in fact, a genetic freak.
What Are The Main Bodybuilding Risks Associated With Marijuana?
This isn’t going to turn into a heated debate about whether or not marijuana should be legalised all across the world, the fact is that although it is legal in certain states in the US, Colorado, for example, it is still illegal in many parts of the world, and like it or not, that’s the law and that’s the way it is. despite this, countless individuals still use it, and whilst there is a great deal of benefits thought to be associated with its use, from a bodybuilding perspective, marijuana effects on muscle growth are sadly not beneficial at all. Here’s a look at why:
Reduced Athletic Performance
If, for example, a person were to use marijuana and get high before they went to the gym, do you honestly think that they would be able to function as well as a stone cold sober person with no mind altering substances in their bodies at all? No, of course not, when people get ‘high’ their judgement, reaction time, and mental clarity are all impaired, which is the last thing you want in the gym. When you’re training, you want to clear mind so that you can establish a solid mind-muscle connection and fire through your workout effectively. You want to be focused on the training session ahead, not daydreaming and struggling to concentrate.
Dangers of Smoking
Ok, we know that marijuana can be taken in a whole range of different ways, including being eaten in foods, but when most people use marijuana, they will mix it with tobacco, and roll it into a joint, and smoke it. When you inhale tobacco smoke, and smoke of any kind for that matter, it can have very negative effects on your body, and, as there are many carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, it could potentially lead to cancer, as well as emphysema and asthma. Marijuana itself also contains natural chemicals that can be detrimental to your health, particularly if inhaled in smoke form.
Loss Of Motivation
Whether people like to admit it or not, the fact is that a great deal of marijuana users does find themselves growing addicted to it, and struggling to be able to function if they don’t have any in their systems. A lot of people for example, may use it to help them get to sleep, and will find themselves eventually being unable to get to sleep without it. The more you use it, the more your motivation levels will begin to decline as there are unpleasant side effects associated with excessive use of it, including depression and paranoia. If you’re struggling with either of the above, or any other similar condition for that matter, the last thing you will want to do is go to the gym and train, which is another negative aspect associated with marijuana effects on muscle growth.
The Dreaded “munchies”
Finally, as many “stoner movies” will have taught you, another side effect associated with marijuana usage, is what is known as “the munchies. Basically, THC, which is the chemical that is responsible for producing the mind-altering effects of weed, can cause the brain and body to become extremely hungry, and to crave huge amounts of junk food. Pizza, cookies, and chips are your stereotypical examples. As a bodybuilder, your diet and nutrition is incredibly important, so the last thing you want to be doing if you’re trying to lose fat and build muscle, is to be consuming vast quantities of junk food late at night.