Can cannabis make exercising more enjoyable?

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Researchers from the University of Colorado say athletes might enjoy their workouts more if they get high first.

Published last year in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, their study reviewed the results of 49 runners who ran while under the influence of cannabis and without it. Despite running 31 seconds per mile slower on average, the participants reported more positive feelings of tranquility and enjoyment during their cannabis runs versus non-cannabis runs. They also experienced fewer negative emotions and lower levels of pain.

While more studies are needed in this line of research, such as longitudinal studies and those that broaden research criteria to more diverse populations, exercise modalities and settings, the potential implications of this finding may be wide-ranging. If these 49 runners experienced more enjoyable workouts with less pain while under the influence of cannabis, what might cannabis do for competitive athletes or for individuals who exercise to improve or maintain their health?

“By making exercise more enjoyable, people benefit from the physical and mental aspects that exercise is known to deliver,” said Jay O’Malley, vice president of marketing and research and development at MariMed, a seed-to-sale cannabis provider with facilities and dispensaries in five states, including Maryland.

MariMed’s Vibations product line includes seven cannabis-infused drink mixes that promise improved focus and energy, advanced hydration and a fast-acting 15-minute onset. The line’s original four flavors include functional ingredients like electrolytes, guarana-derived caffeine, and a dose of full spectrum cannabis, an extract with all the cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as terpenes, flavonoids and additional compounds from the plant. Launched in February, the line’s newest flavors include sugar- and caffeine-free options, as well as a sleep-focused mix infused with CBN, a cannabinoid that’s been found to improve sleep.

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O’Malley says the reaction to the new flavors has been overwhelmingly positive. “With limited beverage options in the market it’s our goal to have Vibations available in most dispensaries, making the product more accessible to consumers,” he said, noting the seven flavors are sold at MariMed’s Thrive Wellness dispensary in Annapolis, and will continue to be rolled out to other dispensaries across the state.

Cannabis science and policy expert, Jacquie Cohen Roth agrees the cannabis beverage market is a hot one, reflecting increased consumer interest in the combination of hydration, focus and energy in beverages.

Cohen Roth is also the founder and CEO of CannabizMD and The Tea Pad Foundation, and she teaches cannabis law and policy, as well as medical cannabis advocacy, at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She cautions that cannabis can compete with pharmaceuticals, potentially impacting the efficacy of both. On top of that, no two people drinking the same cannabis-infused beverage will absorb the ingredients in the same way, and the amount of cannabis and combination of cannabinoids varies from product to product.

These are all good reasons to seek advice from informed medical professionals, not just dispensary “budtenders,” before incorporating cannabis into a regimen. Choosing the right cannabis product requires slow, careful experimentation before using it for athletic pursuits. And of course, local laws should also be considered, especially when traveling.

As a competitive athlete herself, Cohen Roth uses cannabis to treat chronic aches and pains, as well as generalized pain following a severe accident several years ago. Cannabis treats inflammation and the way the brain receives and processes pain, she says, and this benefit is primarily why individuals use it, according to a 2022 study published in Psychopharmacology.

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But pain relief isn’t the only reason people turn to the long, serrated-leafed plant for help.

Karissa Psathas, a weightlifter and cannabis content creator who is preparing for her first weightlifting competition, says microdosing cannabis has helped to sharpen her focus, accelerate progress, maintain a consistent routine, and ultimately lose 50 pounds in the past year. In particular, she said it “helped to alleviate my gym anxiety, a factor that was previously a significant hindrance to my consistency.”

Similarly, an adventure-seeking biker and ultramarathon competitor named Jonathan, who declined to provide his last name, began using cannabis as a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals prescribed to reduce his stress and anxiety. Despite the occasional dry mouth, cannabis enhances his physical activity. “It allows me to get into a flow state where I can just focus on moving freely and enjoying the exact moment that I am in,” Jonathan said.

Not all athletes find cannabinoids like THC helpful for training. Keri Jones, a CrossFit athlete and certified sports medicine acupuncturist, says THC causes her mind to wander so she doesn’t use cannabis for her workouts. Instead, she uses topical CBD products to soothe her sore muscles after intense workouts and long days of treating patients and CBN-infused gummies to help her sleep better and reduce overall stress. “Because I sleep through the whole night, I feel very rested, energized and focused when I wake up,” Jones said. As a result, her energy levels are more consistent throughout the day.

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From reducing pain and anxiety to enhancing focus and enjoyment during workouts, improving sleep, and supporting consistent routines, competitive athletes have good reasons to use cannabis for their day-to-day routines and athletic pursuits. However, these benefits may also help individuals who aren’t as physically active, such as those seeking small changes to improve their overall health and well-being. Products like MariMed’s Vibations line could play a pivotal role for those individuals as well as athletes.

O’Malley says the company will continue to innovate in response to consumer demand, whether that means developing products with new flavors, effects, or delivery methods. “Cannabis is just in its infancy as a true consumer product, so we have a long way to go,” he said.

While the current research is promising, ongoing dialogue and research is vital to deepen our understanding and unlock the full potential cannabis may have in revolutionizing how individuals approach fitness and wellness. To advance these discoveries, remaining informed and contributing to this evolving conversation is encouraged, especially for athletes and those seeking the health benefits of cannabis.