Opiates - the heart and exercise

[DHCuser]

Do opiates have a negative effect on cardiovascular health? If embarking on an aerobic exercise routine will occassional use of opiates just undo all the benefits? And what about exercising whilst on opiates? Obviously not a great amount, just if they were taken earlier in the day.
I have only ever used codeine, dihydrocodeine and tramadol (I know, debatable as an opiate) and was just wondering what your opinions/knowledge is. The net is useles and just gives me "YES EXERCISING IS A GREAT WAY TO DEAL WITH WITHDRAWAL" and "YES INTENSE EXERCISE RELEASES CHEMICALS SIMILAR TO OPIATES" f*** off.
Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[MikeHawk]

I'm pretty sure Opiates are quite harmless when it comes to cardiovascular health however I would not recommend exercising whilst under the influence as respiratory depression would make it difficult.

As you said, Endorphins (endogenous opoids) are released when we are physically stressed which bind to mu so I can't imagine they're detrimental during exercise as such however it'd be less efficient and a waste of a high.

So yeah. I am pretty certain you can exercise and use opiates recreationally but obviously if you start using all the time you'll never want to exercise and exercise will be horror because endorphins will no longer be working for you due to downregulation of mu.

I have been exercising and using opiates about twice a week (DHC) and have not noticed any issues.

Hope this has been helpful. Happy exercising!

 

[ro4eva]

Opiates aren't directly toxic to the cardiovascular system (like Cocaine or Nicotine). However, opiates decrease your body's breathing rate (varies with tolerance) when you take them so when exercising on opiates, you may have a harder time trying to do so.

 

[DHCuser]

I have been exercising and using opiates about twice a week (DHC) and have not noticed any issues.

Thanks for your help. And do you find you are getting fitter? The thing was I was doing a gradually increasing aerobic load 3-4 times a week and found I couldn't keep up with it and got pissed off that I had to go down and level and just was looking for something to blame. I've started again at a lower level now though.