How Smoking Weed Can Help Running

As we see cannabis gaining legality in countries like Canada, Uraguay, and several U.S. states, the plant is making its way over to the athletic realm to examine whether it can benefit a cardio workout. 

There’s plenty of evidence that proves how cannabis, in general, is beneficial. Like CBD salves and ointments that decrease pain and inflammation. There are also reports from athletes who attest that cannabis enhances performance and speeds up recovery. 

In 2018, Frontiers in Neurology published a review that shows how CBD oil improved mobility and reduced pain and inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis. The scientific reasoning behind this is CBD prevents the body from absorbing anandamide, a compound known to regulate pain.

It’s becoming increasingly popular amongst the athletic community to use cannabis before going for a run. It’s shown promising results in decreasing fatigue, boredom, and anxiety. In 2015, a study published by Scientific American noted some interesting facts regarding the runner’s high and how it’s surprisingly not caused by endorphins as we once collectively thought.

The study showed that the sensation of euphoria from cardio endurance workouts like running is produced by the endocannabinoid system, which controls pain while regulating appetite and fatigue. Speaking on our endocannabinoids, these are chemical messengers that tell the body when we need to sleep, eat, or when we need to stop.

Our bodies create endocannabinoids with fatty acids like Omega-3. Interestingly, hemp seeds themself are rich in omega-3s but don’t expect to get any fatty acid intake from smoking or ingesting cannabis. Instead, our bodies react to the compounds from cannabis like CBD, a relaxant, and THC, and stimulant.

That said, cannabis is both a depressant and a stimulant. It stimulates appetite, creativity, and euphoria, but it can also calm the user and make them drowsy. When looking for the right strain to work out with, we’d recommend something low in CBD with a THC percentage higher than 15%.

Funny enough, the World Anti-Doping Agency lists cannabis as a prohibited substance in sports. This is because many believe that cannabis can enhance an athlete’s performance and stimulant rushes of energy that motivate the user and keep them on track. 

Many strains are geared towards focus, which stimulates the user’s mind to limit distractions and stay focused on the goal at hand. We encourage you to put it to the test and see how cannabis can improve your stamina and frame of mind during your next run.