Free Shipping Available on Backpacks

-- Days
-- Hrs
-- Mins
-- Secs

Exercise has long been known to help reduce inflammation, and now scientists have found it promotes the release of natural cannabis-like substances which could be the reason why.

Many doctors prescribe or encourage patients with several illnesses to increase their exercise regime.

Part of the reason it is so powerful could be because of these natural substances, an explanation that could encourage the prescription of exercise for people with arthritis, cancer and heart disease.

It has been revealed by a study from the University of Nottingham that treated people suffering from arthritis with exercise. 

The results, published in Gut Microbes, found that the participants’ inflammation markers decreased, and levels of cannabis-like substances called endocannabinoids increased.

Exercise seemed to alter the gut microbes to produce these changes.

Dr Amrita Vijay, an author of the paper, said: "Our study clearly shows that exercise increases the body's own cannabis-type substances. Which can have a positive impact on many conditions.

"As interest in cannabidiol oil and other supplements increases, it is important to know that simple lifestyle interventions like exercise can modulate endocannabinoids."

The study took 78 people with arthritis, asking 38 of them to do 15 minutes of daily strengthening exercises over a six-week period while the remaining 40 did nothing.

By the end of the six weeks, the 38 who had been doing the strengthening exercises had reduced their pain.

They also had more of the types of microbes in their guts that produce anti-inflammatory substances, along with lower amounts of cytokines and higher levels of endocannabinoids.

Importantly, one-third of the anti-inflammatory effects of the gut microbiome were caused by the endocannabinoids, meaning there was a strong link between the two.

This association could suggest people who do high volumes of exercise are benefiting from increased levels of endocannabinoids. 

As Dr Vijay says, this could mean that athletes get a lot of the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) through lifestyle habits.

Latest Stories

View all

Transitioning from Winter to Spring Training by Jake Dearden

Transitioning from Winter to Spring Training by Jake Dearden

Spring Training Adjustments: How to Transition Effectively As the seasons change, so should your training approach. Moving from winter to spring requires adjustments to optimize performance, prevent injuries, and take advantage of improved weather conditions. Here are five key tips:...

Read more

#WOTW: Jake Dearden HYROX Series

#WOTW: Jake Dearden HYROX Series

Warm-Up2 Rounds: 30 sec Erg (Rowing Machine) 30 sec Hip Flow 30 sec Squat to Stand 30 sec Shoulder Dislocates Strength TrainingEvery 3 min x 4 Sets: 6-8 Back Squats 10-12 Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts Workout4 Rounds (4 min on /...

Read more

#WOTW: Cycling Series

#WOTW: Cycling Series

Milan-San Remo Session Total Time: 90 Minutes To celebrate the first Monument Race of the season, we've come up with a 90 minute session for you to try, so you can get in on the Milan-San Remo experience. We'll be...

Read more