Consuming cannabis before a workout may lead to greater enjoyment and enhance the euphoria associated with exercise, but it is also associated with a greater sense of exertion and fatigue, research shows.

The effects of smoking dried hemp before training

Z research work A study published in December 2023 by researchers from Colorado found that using cannabis before exercise can increase both positive and negative aspects of the experience. The results were similar for CBD- and THC-dominant cannabis, but the frequency of cannabis consumption plays a significant role in the type of experience. Regular cannabinoid users experience post-exercise experiences differently than those who use cannabis occasionally.

Regular pre-workout cannabis users are more likely to report feelings of pleasure and motivation. However, occasional users tend to use cannabis for reasons other than performance enhancement (e.g., relaxation, pleasure, pain management) and agree that cannabis does not improve their physical performance.

The study failed to demonstrate a positive effect of cannabis on performance. The researchers write bluntly: "A little marijuana before training can increase motivation and make exercise more enjoyable. However, if the goal is to improve performance, it may be better to skip the joint.".

This is the first study to examine how legal, commercially available marijuana in the US shapes exercise experiences.

The study on the use of cannabis before training

Forty-two runners participated in the study. Recreational marijuana use has been legal in Colorado for 10 years, and the popularity of using cannabis with THC during athletic activity is high, so the researchers had no problem recruiting runners who smoke before training.

After a baseline session, during which researchers administered a performance measure and collected survey data, they instructed participants to pick up a specific flower strain containing either predominantly cannabidiol (CBD) or a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-dominant strain from a cannabis store.

During the first session, participants did not consume cannabis. They ran on a treadmill for 30 minutes at a moderate pace, while answering questions about motivation, enjoyment, exercise difficulty, perceived passage of time, and pain levels. In subsequent sessions, they repeated the same exercise after consuming cannabis.

Interestingly, federal law prohibits the possession or distribution of marijuana on college campuses, so the runners smoked the herb at home and were then picked up by a mobile lab called the "CannaVan" and driven to campus.

Conclusions from a study on pre-workout cannabis use

The main conclusion of the researchers is that dried hemp before exercise seems to increase positive mood and enjoyment during exercise, regardless of whether it's a THC- or CBD-dominant strain. However, THC products can make exercise more challenging.

Overall, participants reported greater enjoyment and a more intense euphoria when exercising after using cannabis. This elevation was even greater in the CBD group than in the THC group. This suggests that athletes may be able to obtain some of the mood benefits without the impairment during exercise that can occur with THC.

Participants in the THC group reported that the same running intensity during exercise after taking cannabinoids was significantly more tiring and exertive than during exercise without the substance. The researchers believe this may be related to the increased heart rate caused by THC.

Cannabis as a cure for the “sedentary lifestyle epidemic”?

These findings seem to contradict persistent stereotypes that associate cannabis with "lazing on the couch" and prompt researchers to ask: could cannabis play a role in motivating people to be physically active?

“"There's an epidemic of sedentary behavior in the US, and we need new tools to motivate people to exercise in a pleasant way. If marijuana is one of those tools, we need to study it, considering both the harms and the benefits," said Angela Bryan, a professor of psychology and neuroscience and co-director of CU Change.

The researcher is most interested in the possibility of engaging in physical activity among people who do not practice it, do not like it, or have difficulty with it.

Why do people use hemp before training?

According to data collected by researchers in a survey, the motivations for smoking hemp before training are as follows:

90.5% – increases pleasure
69% – reduces pain
59.5% – increases focus
57.1% – increases motivation
45.2% – makes time go by faster
28.6% – improves performance

Are endorphins while running a myth?

Pain-relieving endorphins have long been credited with the famous "running high." More recent research suggests this is a myth: it's not endorphins, but endocannabinoids, which are activated during prolonged exercise, causing euphoria and increasing concentration and alertness.

According to scientists, athletes may be able to benefit from this state during shorter training sessions or intensify it during longer ones by using CBD or THC. Cannabis cannabinoids bind to the same receptors as the endocannabinoids produced naturally by our brains (this mechanism underlies the effects of marijuana on the body, including its medical use).

However, researchers caution that people considering using marijuana should be aware that it may come with risks, such as dizziness and loss of balance, and it is not for everyone.

For someone striving for a fast time over short distances, using cannabis before training probably doesn't make sense. But for an ultra runner who simply wants to get through a long training session, it might make sense.

Is it worth using dried hemp before training?

In 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency approved the use of CBD by athletes, but THC remains on the list of prohibited substances. This appears to be changing soon. Growing awareness of the positive effects of cannabis use and the growing popularity of medical marijuana therapy, including its regenerative properties, will likely lead to THC being removed from the list of prohibited substances in sports.

It's worth noting, however, that the body's response to pre-workout cannabinoid consumption may vary from person to person. These effects may depend on many factors, such as the dose consumed, the type of product used, individual predispositions, and body tolerance. Furthermore, the effect of cannabis on performance may vary depending on the type of physical activity.

Authors research review on the effects of using dried hemp before training emphasize that there is still a lack of methodologically strong studies on the short- and long-term effects of using hemp cannabinoids before training.

Currently available data fail to account for many variables that may be crucial to understanding the impact of cannabinoids on athletic performance. Based on current knowledge, it is difficult to determine safe doses, the optimal chemical composition of herbs for athletes, the method of administration, and the time before training when cannabinoids should be administered.

Individuals interested in using cannabis in the context of exercise should be aware of these variables and monitor their own reactions. Consulting a physician is recommended before introducing this psychoactive substance prior to exercise.