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Best Terpenes for Exercise and Recovery

Best Terpenes for Exercise and Recovery

What are the best terpenes for exercise and recovery? Is cannabis bad for athletes? Many characterize cannabis by sativa, indica and hybrid and the “effects” that are associated to each. Sativa is giving a more energizing and uplift effect while indica can be described as a more couch lock and sedating effect. But what exactly is responsible for these effects? The answer is terpenes.

Everywhere you look these days, another professional athlete or ex-professional athlete is coming out to endorse cannabis products, but why? First, it’s important to remember that although recreational cannabis has been legalized in several states, it was medicinal cannabis that paved the way.

Cannabis is much more than just a way for people to get high. It also has medicinal properties, many of which perfectly align with athletes and their recovery.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at whether or not cannabis is bad for athletes, which terpenes assist with exercise and performance and why, and which terpenes are best suited to recovery and inflammation and why. So, if you have been searching for a way to take your athletic performance or healing to the next level, then perhaps cannabis is just what you’ve been searching for?

Girl track runner stretching on track

Is Cannabis Bad for Athletes?

There are a variety of different delivery methods which can allow you to incorporate cannabis products into your daily routine easily. As with everything, cannabis, when used correctly and used in the right way, could potentially be beneficial for an athlete. There are a variety of positive testimonials from professional athletes that have used cannabis regularly.

Of course, cannabis could be detrimental for athletes when not used correctly. For example, if you’re smoking joints or pipes frequently, it could be harmful to your lung capacity. However, there are a variety of different ways that you can enjoy cannabis that doesn’t involve smoking.

You could use cannabis edibles or even vape cannabis flower. Cannabis topicals could be applied directly to sore or aching muscles. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at terpenes and which ones are best suited to both athletic performance and recovery.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes aren’t exclusive to the cannabis plant. In fact, many plants share the same terpenes as cannabis, and once you start to learn more about terpenes, you’ll be able to identify which terpenes you’re experiencing in different fruits, vegetables, and spices.

In cannabis, terpenes work in synergy with cannabinoids. This is commonly referred to as the entourage effects. For example, the effects of THC or CBD could be enhanced by the terpenes in different cannabis strains. While indica or sativa labels are a good indicator of the effects you can expect from other cannabis strains, the terpene profile is a better one. Indica and sativa are easy ways for growers and retailers to display cannabis for new users.

The terpenes in cannabis have various beneficial properties, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, muscle relaxant, and antipsychotic, just to name a few!

What are Terpenes in Cannabis

What are the Best Terpenes that Help with Exercise and Boosting Energy?

Some of the terpenes you could focus on for exercise and athletic performance includes:

Limonene Cannabis Terpene found in Lemons

Limonene

Limonene – One of the best terpenes for boosting your energy is limonene. As the name suggests, limonene is commonly found in citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges. You’ll also find limonene in pepper, ginger, fennel, and rosemary. Limonene boosts your energy and also modulates the adenosine receptors, which are responsible for increasing dopamine and serotonin levels.

Strain Pick: Try our Award winning Maconga strain. With a combination of limonene, b-caryophyllene and myrcene, Maconga is said to have a sweet, citrusy with hints of an earthy flavor. The entourage effect of Maconga promotes inspiration, energy and comfort. Shop Maconga Here>

Myrcene Cannabis Terpene found in Mangos

Myrcene

Myrcene – If you’re struggling with sore muscles but you still want to work out, then myrcene is an excellent option. It’s commonly found in mangoes, hops, and eucalyptus. It’s also the most common terpene found in all cannabis strains.

Strain Pick: Try our Banjo strain. The most common terpenes found in Banjo is myrcene, limonene and pinene, giving this strain an earthy scent mixed with cirtus and pine. The combination of all of these terpenes can be described as mood lifting and energizing while it’s moderate sedation can help with pain without the couch lock. Shop Banjo Here >

What are the Best Terpenes that Help with Recovery and Inflammation?

Some of the terpenes you could focus on for recovery and inflammation include:

Pinene Cannabis Terpene found in Pine Trees and Cones

Pinene

Alpha-Pinene – Simply referred to as pinene, this terpene can commonly be found in pine needles, mint, rosemary, mint, and also orange peel. It’s rare to find a cannabis strain that has pinene as a primary terpene, but there various strains which have pinene as a secondary terpene. Pinene is a great terpene to assist with inflammation and post-exercise or workout recovery potentially.

Strain Pick: Try our Motorhead strain. With a high percentage of alpha pinene, Motörhead’s aroma is a mix of piney, herbal and camphor. The entourage effect of Motorhead promotes relaxation, comfort and focus. Shop Motorhead Here >

Linalool Cannabis Terpene found in Lavendar.jpg

Linalool

Linalool – Linalool can commonly be found in lavender, rosewood, citrus fruits, mint, and fungi. It has a sweet floral scent and could assist with relaxation and improve your mood after a big sporting competition.

Strain Pick: Try the Zkittles strain. The most common terpenes found in Zkittles is linalool, Caryophyllene and humulene, emitting a sweet blend of fruit flavors. This is the perfect strain to help the body unwind after your workout. Shop Zkittlez Here >

What are the Best Terpenes for Exercise and Recovery?

The best terpenes for exercise are limonene & myrcene for their energy boosting properties. The best terpenes that promote recovery and reduce inflammation are pinene and linalool.

As you can see, there’s a lot more to cannabis than just choosing a particular strain of indica or sativa cannabis. In fact, many manufacturers are moving towards strain descriptions which include terpene profiles. While finding cannabis strains that are high in those terpenes, how they interact with each other also known as the entourage effect is what matters the most when picking a strain for exercise and recovery.

Hopefully, now you have a much better idea about the best terpenes for physical exercise and also recovery, why terpenes could help, and which terpenes may assist with inflammation.

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