The gym just got a lot more interesting. As cannabis becomes legal in more states, athletes and fitness enthusiasts are mixing their pre-workout routines with a little green enhancement. But before you light up before leg day, let’s dive into what science actually says about cannabis and athletic performance.
The Science Behind Cannabis and Exercise
When you consume cannabis, THC gets stored in your body’s fat cells. Here’s where it gets fascinating—as you exercise and burn fat, that stored THC slowly releases back into your bloodstream. This means you could potentially feel mild cannabis effects during your workout, even weeks after your last session.
The release isn’t random either. Research shows that people with higher BMIs tend to experience greater THC release during exercise. This creates a unique feedback loop where your workout intensity could directly influence how much cannabis affects your performance.
The Real “Runner’s High”
That euphoric feeling you get during intense exercise? It’s not just endorphins. Scientists have discovered that physical activity activates your body’s endocannabinoid system—the same network that cannabis interacts with. This natural process produces compounds similar to THC, creating what we know as the “runner’s high.”
By consuming cannabis before exercise, you might be able to tap into this natural high earlier in your workout, potentially making those challenging sessions feel more enjoyable and less painful.
What the Research Shows
The University of Colorado Boulder Study
The most comprehensive study on cannabis and exercise comes from the University of Colorado Boulder. Researchers followed 42 runners who regularly used cannabis with their workouts, comparing their performance both with and without cannabis.
The results were eye-opening:
The Good: Participants reported significantly greater enjoyment and motivation when exercising with cannabis. They felt more focused and experienced an enhanced “runner’s high” feeling.
The Reality Check: While cannabis made exercise more enjoyable, it didn’t actually enhance performance. In fact, the study revealed that cannabis users ran about 31 seconds per mile slower when under the influence, suggesting that while you might enjoy your workout more, you’re probably not going to set any personal records.
What Athletes Are Really Experiencing
According to a wide-ranging survey published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, people use cannabis with exercise for surprisingly diverse reasons:
- 67% said it helped them focus and concentrate
- 66% reported it made exercise more enjoyable
- 65% felt it enhanced their mind-body connection
- 62% said it helped them “stay in the zone”
- 53% experienced better body awareness
The survey covered nearly 60 different types of physical activities, from hiking and yoga to weightlifting and extreme sports. This suggests that cannabis isn’t just for “chill” activities—people are using it across the entire spectrum of fitness.
The Potential Benefits
While cannabis might not turn you into a superhuman athlete, it does offer some legitimate advantages for certain aspects of fitness:
Lowering Blood Pressure
A 2017 study published in JCI Insight found that CBD significantly lowered both resting blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress tests. For people dealing with exercise-induced hypertension, this could be a game-changer.
The study tested participants’ blood pressure responses to mental arithmetic, isometric exercise, and cold pressure tests. In every case, CBD helped maintain lower, more stable blood pressure levels.
Reducing Inflammation
CBD has proven anti-inflammatory properties that could speed up recovery times. According to research from the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, CBD helps reduce inflammation and the associated pain that can make you skip your next workout.
This anti-inflammatory effect is particularly valuable for people dealing with chronic pain or those recovering from intense training sessions. By reducing inflammation, cannabis might help you maintain a more consistent workout schedule.
Pain Management and Recovery
Many athletes report using cannabis specifically for pain relief, both during and after exercise. THC can increase pain tolerance, potentially allowing you to push through challenging workouts that might otherwise be limited by discomfort.
This pain-relieving effect isn’t just about masking symptoms—it can help you maintain proper form and technique when you might otherwise compensate for discomfort in ways that could lead to injury.
The Downsides You Need to Know
Not everyone’s cannabis workout experience is positive. About one-third of users in the Colorado study reported unexpected or undesirable effects:
- Getting too high to exercise effectively
- Heart racing or palpitations
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Anxiety or paranoia
- Coordination problems
Interestingly, these negative experiences were most common with edibles, despite edibles being less frequently used overall. This suggests that dosing and timing are crucial factors in successful cannabis-enhanced workouts.
Finding the Right Approach
If you’re considering adding cannabis to your fitness routine, here’s what experienced users recommend:
Choose Your Strain Wisely
The research shows that sativa-dominant strains are preferred for exercise, likely due to their more energizing effects. About 64% of users in the Colorado study chose sativa strains, while only 26% used indica-dominant varieties.
Start Small and Go Slow
The key to successful cannabis-enhanced workouts is finding the minimum effective dose. Too much will leave you couch-locked rather than motivated to move.
Consider Your Activity Type
Cannabis might be more beneficial for some activities than others. Endurance activities like hiking, cycling, and yoga seem to pair well with cannabis, while activities requiring precise coordination or quick reflexes might be better performed sober.
Time It Right
Most successful users consume cannabis shortly before exercise rather than during or hours beforehand. This timing helps ensure the effects peak during your workout rather than wearing off.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis isn’t a performance-enhancing drug in the traditional sense. You’re not going to run faster, lift heavier, or jump higher because you’re high. But it might make your workouts more enjoyable, help you push through mental barriers, and potentially speed up recovery.
For most people, the benefits seem to be more about the psychological aspects of exercise—motivation, enjoyment, and mind-body connection—rather than pure physical performance enhancement.
The research suggests that cannabis could be particularly valuable for people who struggle with exercise motivation, find workouts boring, or deal with chronic pain that limits their activity. By removing some of the mental and physical barriers to exercise, cannabis might help you maintain a more consistent fitness routine.
Ready to Explore Cannabis-Enhanced Fitness?
If you’re curious about incorporating cannabis into your workout routine, the experts at Kush21 can help you find the right products and strains for your fitness goals. Our knowledgeable budtenders understand the nuances of different strains and can guide you toward products that complement rather than hinder your athletic performance.
Stop by any Kush21 location to discuss how cannabis might fit into your fitness journey. Whether you’re looking to make your workouts more enjoyable, manage exercise-related pain, or simply explore new ways to enhance your mind-body connection, we’re here to help you find the perfect cannabis companion for your gains.
