BJJ And Smoking - Can They Go Together

Are you a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who smokes, or have you encountered smokers on the mat? The relationship between smoking and BJJ is controversial, but it's undeniable that smoking has negative effects on the body. In this article, we'll delve into the cons of smoking in Jiu-Jitsu and examine the potential impact of smoking on the performance and health of BJJ practitioners. But first, let's talk about the elephant in the room: according to the WHO (World Health Organization), tobacco causes the deaths of 8 million people annually and leads to harmful diseases. So, is it worth lighting up before or after hitting the mat? Keep reading to find out.

1. Smoking in BJJ

As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, you've probably faced some tough opponents on the mat. But have you ever considered taking on the ultimate foe: your own unhealthy habits? Smoking seems like a small vice in the face of the physical demands of BJJ, but it's important to remember that smoking has serious consequences on your health and performance.

Although smoking might provide a temporary sense of relaxation or stress relief. But on the other hand, the chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the respiratory system and reduce the endurance and strength of BJJ practitioners on the mat.

Is it possible to still enjoy smoking and train in BJJ at the same time? If you choose to smoke, consider limiting it to designated areas and avoid smoking immediately before or after training sessions. And remember, there are plenty of resources available to help you kick the habit for good if you're ready to take the plunge.

Ultimately, the choice is yours as a BJJ practitioner and smoker. But don't underestimate the power of taking on new challenges and making healthy choices for your body and mind – on and off the mat.

2. What are the Health Risks of Smoking in BJJ?

Smoking is considered to be a harmful habit that impacts the quality of life. This is especially true for those who engage in physical activities like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Here are a few of the health risks associated with smoking in BJJ:

2.1. Decreased Strength and Endurance

The habit of smoking reduces the strength and endurance of grapplers in several ways. First, smoking increases the level of carbon monoxide in the body, which interferes with the functions of respiratory and muscle proteins. So, it reduced the oxygen level in muscles, resulting in decreased endurance and performance.

Second, smoking damages the cardiovascular system of grapplers, leading to reduced blood flow to the muscles. This condition results in fatigue and decreased strength during training on the mat.

Finally, smoking contributes to muscle atrophy and weakness by reducing the body's ability to recover from exercise and damaged muscle tissue. Hence, smoking negatively affects muscle strength and endurance, which would be detrimental for grapplers who require these qualities for sport.

2.2. Impaired Recovery

Smoking also impairs the body's ability to recover from training sessions and bouts. The chemicals in cigarette smoke (especially Nicotine) inhibit the body's natural healing processes and make it harder to bounce back towards healthiness.

Now let’s have a look: How smoking can affect the recovery of BJJ fighters. Bones and muscles need nutrients and oxygen to heal the damaged area. However, Nicotine (the main ingredient of cigarettes) contracts the size of blood vessels which restricts the continuous flow of nutrients and oxygen to the damaged muscles and bones.

2.3. Increased Injury Risk

Smoking also increases the risk of injury in the grapplers. The negative effects of smoking on the respiratory, and immune systems and impaired recovery make BJJ practitioners more vulnerable to muscle strains, joint injuries, and other common BJJ injuries.

2.4. Respiratory Problems

The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the respiratory system by affecting the airways and alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs), making it harder to breathe and perform physical activities like BJJ. This could lead to decreased endurance, reduced oxygen delivery to the muscles, and a higher risk of strokes, heart attacks, lung cancer, and death.

2.5. Reduce Muscle Mass

Smoking reduces the muscle mass of BJJ practitioners. Now we will justify this statement in course of scientific logic. Smoking introduces carbon monoxide into the body, which binds to the hemoglobin and reduces the amount of oxygen that is carried to the muscles. This could make it difficult for the muscles to repair and grow, leading to a reduction in muscle mass.

In addition, smoking causes inflammation in the body, which disrupts muscle protein synthesis and impairs muscle growth. The chemicals in cigarette smoke also cause oxidative stress in the body, leading to the breakdown of muscle tissue.

Smoking also disrupts the balance of hormones in the body, such as testosterone and estrogen, which affect muscle growth and maintenance.

However, the combination of these factors makes it difficult for BJJ practitioners to build and maintain muscle mass if they smoke cigarettes.

2.6. Decreased Lung Capacity

Smoking also has a significant impact on the lung capacity of BJJ fighters and other athletes. When you smoke, the chemicals in cigarette smoke damage your lung tissue and reduce your body's ability to take in oxygen. This condition could decrease lung capacity and make it harder for your body to meet the oxygen demands for physical activity, such as BJJ.

Decrease in lung capacity and endurance of BJJ fighters, making it harder for them to perform at their best. It is important for BJJ fighters and other athletes to take care of their respiratory health by avoiding vaping, smoking, and other harmful weeds. Practicing proper breathing exercises to maintain optimal lung function.

2.7. Increased Risk of Cancer

Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic and cause cancer. Studies have shown that smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. What is the role of smoking in spreading cancer? Smoking weakens the immune system and makes it harder to kill cancer cells. When the immune system failed to do its work properly, it allows the cancer cells to grow without any restriction. Different kinds of cancers associated with smoking include the liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, bladder, colon, trachea, lungs, kidney, bronchus, and many more.

2.8. Decreased Lifespan

Smoking is a major cause of preventable death and diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco smoke is responsible for the deaths of around 8 million people each year, and smokers are at a higher risk of premature death compared to non-smokers.

2.9. Risk of Bone Diseases

Jiu-Jitsu fighters who are not considered to quit smoking are also at risk of getting various bone diseases including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Smoking reduces bone density by decreasing the amount of estrogen level in the body, which is important for maintaining healthy bones. It reduces blood flow to the bones, which impairs bone health and interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium and other minerals which are essential for bone health. These conditions could lead to developing osteoporosis and arthritis. 

2.10. Negative Impact on Overall Health

Smoking has an adverse impact on the overall health of grapplers. The chemicals in cigarette smoke could damage the heart, blood vessels, respiratory system, immune system, and bones. By smoking before and after BJJ training, you may be increasing your risk of heart disease, cancer, and other serious health conditions.

3. How Does Smoking Affect the Atheltic Performance of BJJ Practitioners?

Smoking has a negative impact on the performance of BJJ practitioners on the mat. Here are some specific ways in which smoking could hinder the performance of BJJ practitioners:

Cigarette smoke contains a variety of harmful chemicals that has negative effects on the body. These chemicals impact the physical performance of grapplers by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the muscles. This can make it more difficult for BJJ practitioners to effectively use their muscles, potentially hindering their ability to perform at their best during training or competition.

Additionally, the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the respiratory system and compromise lung function, which will affect physical performance. It’s also responsible for decreasing the amount of oxygen that is carried to the muscles, making it harder for the body to produce energy and recover from physical activity.

Finally, smoking causes inflammation in the body, which disrupts muscle protein synthesis and impairs muscle growth and repair. All of these factors combine to reduce the overall strength, endurance, and recovery of BJJ practitioners, making it more difficult for them to perform at their best. It is important for BJJ practitioners and athletes, in general, to prioritize their physical health by avoiding harmful substances like tobacco.

3.1. Negative Impact on Appearance

In addition to the physical effects, smoking also has a negative impact on a BJJ practitioner's appearance. The smell of cigarette smoke and the yellowing of teeth can be off-putting to some and may not present the best image for a BJJ practitioner.

It's worth noting that while the risks associated with smoking are well-documented, they can be minimized by quitting smoking and seeking support to do so. If you're a BJJ practitioner and you're considering quitting smoking, there are many resources available to help you on your journey. Now, we will describe how Jiu-Jitsu itself helps you to quit smoking.

4. How Does Jiu-Jitsu Help you to Quit Smoking?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a way for helping BJJ practitioners to quit smoking, and here's how it can help:

4.1. Reduces Stress

One of the main reasons for smoking is to manage stress, and BJJ training is a potential way to relieve stress in a healthy way. The physical and mental demands of BJJ will surely provide a sense of accomplishment and help to clear the mind, reducing the need for smoking as a stress reliever.

4.2. Increases Self-Control

BJJ practice demands discipline and self-control, and these skills are transferable to other areas of life, including the decision to quit smoking. BJJ training helps you to build the self-control and determination needed to overcome the challenges of quitting smoking.

4.3. Provides a Sense of Community

BJJ is a great way to meet new people and form strong bonds with others who share similar goals and interests. This sense of community provides support and motivation for quitting smoking, as you'll have others who are cheering you on and helping you to stay on track.

4.4. Improves Physical Health

Smoking harms your health, and BJJ is a great way to improve your physical health and reduce the negative effects of smoking. The physical demands of BJJ help to improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and endurance and reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases and cancers.

To maximize the benefits of BJJ for quitting smoking, it's important to be consistent with your training and to set clear goals for yourself. It may also be helpful to seek support from a coach, instructor, or fellow practitioners who could provide guidance and encouragement along the way. Finally, it's important to remember that quitting smoking is a journey, and there will be ups and downs along the way. By staying positive and focusing on the benefits of quitting smoking, you can increase your chances of success and improve your overall health and well-being.

5. FAQs

5.1. Does Smoking Pot Affect Your Skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Smoking pot could affect coordination, reaction time, and decision-making, all of which are important skills in BJJ. It impairs memory and concentration, making it more difficult to remember and apply techniques learned in training. In addition, smoking pot (marijuana) use leads to decreased motivation and a lack of focus, both of which negatively impact performance in BJJ and other activities.

5.2. What Happened When You Smoke During BJJ Training?

It is generally not recommended to smoke during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training, as smoking has a negative impact on performance and overall health.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, smoking and BJJ can not go together. While there may be some short-term benefits of smoking including stress relievers. However, the long-term risks to your health far outweigh any potential benefits. If you're a smoker and you enjoy the occasional cigarette, there's no reason you can't continue to do so as long as you're aware of the potential risks and take steps to minimize them. However, if you're looking to maximize your performance and overall health as a BJJ practitioner, it's crucial to consider quitting smoking and finding alternative ways to manage stress and relax.