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How Cannabis Enhances Exercise with Flavie Dokken

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Cannabis Users Have a Lower BMI

Stereotypes of a lazy stoner have long been pushed by the prohibitionist agenda, but in actuality, cannabis users have lower BMI’s and lower rates of obesity. Research has also shown cannabis positively impacts exercise. Every day professional athletes, like Flavie Dokken, come forward to share how cannabis acts as a performance enhancer and recovery agent.
While it’s true that some cultivars of cannabis can cause the munchies (in some individuals), the stereotype of the lazy stoner is a fallacy.
Wana Athelete & Ultrarunner, Flavie Dokken

Cannabis Increases Exercise

Experts have long theorized that cannabis balances metabolism aiding in weight loss. But now research shines more light on this phenomenon. Not only does cannabis aid in weight loss, but a study published in Frontiers, shows that cannabis use also boosts activity levels and increases exercise.

The study, published in April of 2019, shows that 81.7% of the study’s subjects used cannabis as an exercise aid. Cannabis users “reported engaging in more minutes of aerobic and anaerobic exercise per week.”

Why does cannabis use increase exercise? There are a few reasons. The study states that cannabis “enhances their enjoyment of and recovery” when using it before or after exercise. Not only that, but “nearly half reported that it (also) increases their motivation to exercise.”

Wana Athlete, Flavie Dokken is no stranger to utilizing cannabis for recovery. Watch as Flavie Dokken and I discuss cannabis for exercise.

Wana Brands Athlete & Ultrarunner, Flavie Dokken

 

 

Falvie Dokken’s Bio

Wana Athlete Flavie Dokken is an endurance and strength athlete who aims to dispel stereotypes about cannabis use, specifically for those leading an active lifestyle. Since 2018, she has partnered with Wana Brands to raise awareness about the positive role of cannabis in athletic training and physical recovery.

 

A business graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, Dokken is a former bodybuilder and a veteran of the U.S. Army, where she served as a military police officer in Fairbanks, Alaska. After her military career, she returned to Colorado to heal multiple stress fractures related to her army training and pursue new athletic challenges and enter the cannabis industry as her next career move. Her athletic goals led her to train and compete in multiple marathons and ultramarathons while still maintaining a full-strength training regimen.

 

In 2018, she placed third in Colorado’s Running Up For Air event, in which she ran up and down Granite Peak for three hours. That same year she also placed fourth in the Mad Moose Pueblo Half Marathon, which she completed in less than one hour and 35 minutes. In 2017, she took home trophies for her second-place finish in the Silverton Alpine Marathon and her third-place finish in the Pikes Peak Ultra 50K.

 

Dokken, who was born and raised in the French Alps region of Chamonix, believes that personal growth comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone. “I believe anyone can achieve goals with mental fortitude and resilience,” she says. “I thrive off of pushing my limits and always finding a wealth of new knowledge about life and meeting inspiring people doing so.”

Wana Athelete & Ultrarunner, Flavie Dokken

Connect with Flavie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flavester/

Facebook: Flavie Dokken

 

 

TRANSCRIPT:

Jessie Gill: (01:48)

Hi, I’m Jessie. I’m a cannabis nurse and the founder of Marijuana Mommy and you’re watching, Patients are the Proof, where we talk about the real health benefits of cannabis. Today I’m talking with Flavie Dokken Wanna Athlete, Flavie Dokken, is an endurance and strength athlete who aims to dispel stereotypes about cannabis use specifically for those leading an active lifestyle. Since 2018, she has partnered with Wana Brands to raise awareness about the positive role of cannabis in athletic training and physical recovery. A business graduate from the University of Colorado. Flavie Dokken is a former bodybuilder and veteran of the US army, where she served as a military police officer in Fairbanks, Alaska. After her military career, she returned to Colorado to heal multiple stress fractures related to her army training, pursue new athletic challenges and enter the cannabis industry as her next career moves. Her athletic goals, led her to train and compete in multiple marathons and ultra marathons while still maintaining a full strength training regimen. Hello, Flavie.

 

Flavie Dokken: (02:59)

Hi Jesse. Thank you so much for talking to me today. I really, really appreciate it.

 

Flavie Dokken: (03:04)

Well, I’m, one who’s always a happy to support, and lend their voice in the cannabis space.

 

Jessie Gill: (03:11)

So I’m, I’m very excited to talk to you and you’ve probably heard about that article that was published or the paper that was published in April 30th, that, um, you know, really just challenges those old stereotypes that people have about cannabis users.

 

Flavie Dokken: (03:28)

Yes. I mean, it was great progress to see that study.

 

Jessie Gill: (03:32)

It really is. And, um, you know, it showed that people who use cannabis tend to exercise more and they think that cannabis may actually be a motivating factor in that. But, you know, it’s amazing to look at the industry and see how many athletes are, you know, beginning to pursue cannabis and choose cannabis as, you know, a performance aid or, you know, especially as a recovery aid. Um, I’d love to hear a little bit about, you know, about your story. How did you discover cannabis? Did you come to cannabis expecting it to help with your athletic performance and your recovery or did you discover that accidentally?

 

Flavie Dokken: (04:12)

Um, yes, actually I was a very late user of cannabis. And so as far as how I discovered for athletic purpose, it was definitely accidentally. The friends–some friends–athletes, body builders that were partaking. And so although I did start recreationaly, with my friends because I was already kind of part of that athletic community quickly, I was aware of, my friend told me about, uh, the actual use also for recovery or for training purpose. So kind of intertwined definitely.

 

Jessie Gill: (04:54)

That’s amazing. So how do you feel that it helps you?

 

Flavie Dokken: (04:57)

So the first way–and I’ve really used the, the, the, the effects of cannabis really full-spectrum really. And, it started with weightlifting, where it was more the before training a way to have better focus during my training. And then after training to kind of help unwind, uh, and rest better. Kind of lower your heart rate or any nausea that could be created from the pretty intense training. So that’s kind of those main effects, you know, the focus, instead of maybe using coffee or some, you know, pre-workout drinks or energy gum, everything else that other people use instead, I use cannabis.

 

Jessie Gill: (05:49)

That’s awesome. Um, and it’s amazing. It has to be awesome for, you know, it’s anti-inflammatory purposes as well.

 

Flavie Dokken: (05:57)

Yes. And then quickly after that. I joined the army and actually got injured during my time. So the next kind of help I got from cannabis was from a pain-relief standpoint. I had a few stress fractures, injuries that, you know, were lagging and cannabis helped me really recover and deal with them a lot better afterwards.

 

Jessie Gill: (06:27)

it is, it’s amazing for pain. That’s how I discovered it too. It’s remarkable. And, thank you for your service. Truly. How was it in the military? Were you using cannabis at that time or was it after?

 

Flavie Dokken: (06:42)

No, and that’s the, you know, now, I’m so glad to have a voice because, you know, when I got hurt during my military time, obviously it’s illegal to use cannabis, so I didn’t. But I got prescribed plenty of pain medicine. So I quickly knew, you know, how addicted we could be and I really kind of put them aside. It’s never something that I really wanted to, uh, especially my injury, necessarily required that strong of pain medicine, but that’s how quickly even doctors outside the army prescribed painkillers. Having that experience firsthand really gave me also, you know, it a little bit of credibility to talk about, you know, using cannabis instead of pain killers.

 

Jessie Gill: (07:29)

Yeah. It’s, um, it’s a world of difference, Pain killers versus cannabis. It’s unbelievable. It’s just with the risks and the experience of side effects. You’re so fortunate to be in an area like Colorado where you have so much access. Here in New Jersey, we don’t have brands like Wana Brands that are giving us, you know, um, specifically dosed, consistent products. Here in New Jersey we’re making it all ourselves. It’s kind of crazy. Did you find that doctors there were pretty receptive when you showed interest in pursuing cannabis?

 

Flavie Dokken: (08:06)

Yeah, so actually, yes, I worked with a few athletic experts in Boulder that are familiar with the benefits that especially also CBD in conjunction with cannabis THC can have. And uh, again, very fortunate to live in Colorado in Boulder, where in the athletic community as the study shows that, use is pretty prevalent. Not necessarily talked about. I’m one that is vocal about it. I’m open about it, but a lot of athletes that use it just like I do cannot, be open about it because they have mainstreams sponsorships or work in a space that still frowns upon cannabis. You know, it’s still also reality here. But otherwise, you know, it’s something that if you tell your doctor a lot of them will be very receptive and have knowledge.

 

Jessie Gill: (09:04)

How about the community itself, like your fellow athletes, do they tend to be more receptive or is that, is that stigma still really prevalent in that community?

 

Flavie Dokken: (09:17)

Yeah, that’s the thing. You would think in Boulder, Colorado, everybody is open, but it still depends on the circle that you gravitate towards. I think a lot of different communities such as road runners or triathletes that are more mainstream sports, are still very much, quiet about it.But when it comes to trail runners and people that have more, outdoors and divers, it will really depend on if they make their living out of it from mainstream brands like Patagonia and North Face, and so forth, they won’t have the ability to opportunity to talk about it. They will use it, but not necessarily be open. And I understand that I put myself in their shoes.

 

Jessie Gill: (10:11)

Absolutely. I mean, I think that’s all people who, whose careers or livelihoods are at risk. It’s a shame.

 

Flavie Dokken: (10:19)

Exactly and it’s, and it’s still, and it is a reality. Even in Colorado, in Boulder.

 

Jessie Gill: (10:23)

Wow, that’s amazing. Um, you know, it’s, I’m amazed you’re an ultra marathon runner, which is what, 46 is it 46? How many, how many miles is an ultra marathon?

 

Flavie Dokken: (10:35)

Ultra running is anything over a marathon distance. So anything over 27 miles is considered an ultra running event.

 

Jessie Gill: (10:44)

That’s amazing. And you know, people are probably shocked when they hear you’re a cannabis user because people often assume that it negatively affects your lungs and your breathing and you can’t possibly run. So how do people react when they find out that you’re running these incredible distances and at a competitive level and that year, a regular cannabis user,

 

Flavie Dokken: (11:07)

So in general, the community or spectators are, um, actually that’s where I see the most change in the stigma, really shifting is everybody moostly high fives me and is excited to see the brand. They say, “Oh, I use the gummies by Wana Bransd”. Uh, so it’s overwhelming, overwhelming, positive from the community. There were some doubters. I did get a few comments on social media. But then the naysayers really got quiet and actually turned around, when they saw that I was actually making it to the event and doing good. So that’s really great to see when people turn around and kind of reframe their thoughts on cannabis. And I’m definitely not the only one. Just like the study shows who,who does a lot of things weather with sports or has a career, and who also partakes in cannabis.

 

Jessie Gill: (12:11)

Yeah, definitely. There’s a lot of, lot of people out there who partake and a lot less who talk about their consumption,

 

Flavie Dokken: (12:20)

But generally I see the biggest change at almost at every event, I see more and more positive comments. Um, and people reaching out and just being supportive.

 

Jessie Gill: (12:34)

That’s fantastic. Um, what’s your favorite method of cannabis consumption? Do you use like strictly edibles or do you smoke or vape as well?

 

Flavie Dokken: (12:43)

So I mostly vape and use edibles, because of the lung aspects and I actually have very sensitive longs. It has been shown that smoke can actually expand your lung capacity. Uh, now because I do not benefit from that, uhI have various sensitive lungs. So I mostly use edibles, which also edibles are–I consume, whether in gummy forms or capsules,–actually work better for training. It’s a different type of effect with edibles that I can… Now they’ve become so accurate and you can dose it right. And they last longer and they’re more reliable. And so from a training purpose, I’ll gravitate towards edibles, especially longer type training. If it’s an hour training, especially for my strength training, I’ll vape maybe beforehand. I’ll vape a sativa for an energy boost boost and be really in tune, you know, it definitely helps to be in tune with your forms and, and just be more present.

 

Jessie Gill: (13:57)

That’s a great point. I mean, cannabis really does do that to you. It like kind of centers you and gives you that almost like meditative focus. Absolutely.

 

Flavie Dokken: (14:06)

And so it just goes really. And that’s another aspect that goes great with training to just be present with the movement in the preset.

 

Jessie Gill: (14:14)

How about your races? Do you actually use cannabis during the race or just after or before? Um, you know, are you, are you stopping for your water and a vape, when do you use it?

 

Flavie Dokken: (14:31)

So, yes, it’s part of my training regimen now. Cannabis is still an illegal substance during sports events. Um, so I do not consume during the events. Uh, I will use CBD products, one-to-one, after the event is done, for recovery. It’s mostly to have a better training so that eventually perform better during the actual race.

 

Jessie Gill: (14:51)

That’s a good point. And what is it, the, the world doping association..they consider it a performance enhancing drug? Right. That’s amazing.

 

Flavie Dokken: (15:03)

Yeah. And I don’t think this will change until there is federal legalization. You know, I get that question. And, I think that the reality is I don’t think that the doping bans are going to change, um, without federal legalization.

 

Jessie Gill: (15:22)

Right. I agree. I think we’re even with federal legalization, I think, you know, we’re a ways off. Maybe when like Europe legalizes. We’ve got a ways to go until the world is accepting.

 

Flavie Dokken: (15:36)

I see. You know, I do work also in the industry, and I think it might happen sooner than later. You know, I used to say 10 years, I think I’m going to be more positive now seeing, you know, all the big companies joining in. So maybe five years.

 

Jessie Gill: (15:54)

Amazing. Right? So I think that’s a great place to finish on how can people connect with you.

 

Flavie Dokken: (16:02)

Um, so yeah, I love connecting and answering any product questions. So Facebook and Instagram, if you type in my name under Instagram at Flavestir. But so Facebook, Instagram are my two main social media venue, right?

 

Jessie Gill: (16:24)

And I’m going to list them down below so people can just click on it in the comments and check you out. And Wana Brands. Where can people get that? They’re in Colorado, but they’ve launched, do you know what other states they’re in? I think Michigan, Florida.

 

Flavie Dokken: (16:40)

We are, uh, in Arizona, Nevada, and California is coming soon equal. Definitely check out the Wana Products, they’re very consistent, very professional.

 

Jessie Gill: (16:54)

It’s really, really important for people, for edibles, to get that consistent dosage. And not every product out there is consistent.

 

Flavie Dokken: (17:01)

No, and that’s important. Know your dose. You don’t need much to have great effects, especially for training.

 

Jessie Gill: (17:08)

That’s a really good point. Yeah. All right. Start low. Go slow.

 

Flavie Dokken: (17:12)

Exactly.

 

Jessie Gill: (17:14)

Thank you so much for talking to me today. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for all you’re doing for the plant, for the industry, and honestly, thank you for your service in the military. It’s, it’s truly appreciated.

 

Flavie Dokken: (17:24)

It was a pleasure, Jessie. And thanks for having me on your show.

 

Jessie Gill: (17:26)

Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.

 

Flavie Dokken: (17:28)

Bye.Trending Now

Written by Jessie Gill

Jessie Gill, RN is a cannabis nurse with a background in holistic health and hospice.  After suffering a spinal injury, she reluctantly became a medical marijuana patient then quickly transitioned into an advocate. Her site, MarijuanaMommy.com teaches new patients how and why to use cannabis while challenging the stigma against marijuana use.

Jessie is an established expert in the cannabis industry. She’s spoken at conferences around the country and has been cited by publications such as High Times and Forbes. Her work has been featured on Entrepreneur, Good Housekeeping, MSN, and more. She’s been seen on Viceland and has received international press coverage.

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