Marijuana may enhance your running experience by amplifying the runner’s high and reducing pain, but it also requires careful, informed use due to potential risks.
If you think marijuana and running don’t mix, you might be surprised by a new study that suggests precisely the opposite. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, found that marijuana is linked to an enhanced ‘runner’s high’ and lower pain during exercise.
The researchers surveyed 49 runners who regularly used cannabis, asking them to rate various aspects of their runs after consuming cannabis and without using it. The runners reported that they felt more positive, tranquil, and enjoyable emotions, as well as more symptoms of a runner’s high, such as euphoria and relaxation, when they ran under the influence of cannabis compared to when they ran sober.
They also reported that they felt less pain after their cannabis runs than after their non-cannabis runs. However, they did run a bit slower when they used cannabis, with an average of 31 seconds slower per mile, but this difference was not statistically significant.
The study, published last week in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, suggests that acute cannabis use may be associated with a more positive exercise experience among regular cannabis users. However, the researchers caution that more research is needed to establish the long-term harms and benefits of this behavior, as well as its generalizability to other populations and settings.
The findings of this study are consistent with other studies that have shown that cannabis users tend to be more physically active and healthier than non-users. For example, a 2019 study found that people who used cannabis to elevate their workout tended to get more exercise than those who didn’t. Another study from 2020 found that older people who consumed cannabis were more likely to engage in physical activity than those who didn’t. And a recent study from 2021 found that frequent cannabis users were actually more physically active than their non-using counterparts.
Moreover, the use of medical marijuana has been shown to improve the quality of life for people with chronic pain and insomnia, among other conditions. A study published this year by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that these improvements were largely sustained over time.
So, how does marijuana affect exercise? One possible explanation is that marijuana activates the endocannabinoid system, which is a network of receptors and molecules that regulate many bodily functions, such as mood, pain, appetite, and memory. The endocannabinoid system is also involved in producing a runner’s high, which is a state of euphoria and reduced pain that some people experience after intense exercise.
When you exercise, your body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which are similar to the cannabinoids found in marijuana. These endocannabinoids bind to the receptors in your brain and body, creating a feeling of well-being and relief. Marijuana may enhance this effect by providing additional cannabinoids that interact with the same receptors.
Another possible explanation is that marijuana reduces anxiety and stress, which can interfere with exercise performance and enjoyment. Marijuana may also increase motivation and focus, which can help you overcome mental barriers and achieve your fitness goals. Additionally, marijuana may reduce inflammation and muscle soreness, which can speed up recovery and prevent injury.
However, marijuana is not a magic bullet for exercise. There are also some potential risks and challenges associated with combining cannabis and exercise. For instance, marijuana can impair your coordination, balance, reaction time, and judgment, which can increase the risk of injury or accidents during certain types of exercise, such as weightlifting or cycling. Marijuana can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for people with cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure.
Therefore, if you are considering using marijuana for exercise, you should be careful and informed. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your cannabis workouts:
- Always consult your doctor before starting any new exercise routine or adding cannabis to your workouts.
- Never consume cannabis and operate heavy machinery or drive a car.
- Avoid any workouts that require high levels of skill or precision when you are using cannabis.
- Start with low doses of cannabis and see how you feel during and after exercise. If you don’t notice much difference or experience negative effects, you may want to adjust your dose or avoid using cannabis altogether.
- Choose a strain of cannabis that suits your needs and preferences. For example, sativa strains tend to be more energizing and uplifting, while indica strains tend to be more relaxing and sedating.
- Experiment with different methods of consumption, such as smoking, vaping, edibles, or topicals. Each method has its own onset time, duration, and intensity of effects.
- Stay hydrated and eat healthy snacks before and after exercise.
- Listen to your body and respect your limits.
Marijuana can potentially enhance your exercise experience by making it more fun and less painful. However, it can also have some drawbacks and dangers, depending on how you use it and what kind of exercise you do. Therefore, it is important to be responsible and informed when combining cannabis and exercise.
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