Research Suggests CBD Can Reduce Anxiety and Perceived Exertion for Runners

Have you ever heard of runners high? Some athletes claim that after a solid run or intense workout, they are overwhelmed by a sense of deep euphoria. While only a small subsection of athletes claim to experience runner’s high, there is a new way athletes can make the most of their workout while riding a different kind of “high.”

A new study suggests that runners and other athletes may benefit from a dose of cannabis before their workout routine. The chemical compounds in marijuana may help competitive athletes by reducing anxiety and perceived exertion. The results are significant because, once again, they push back against the “lazy and unmotivated” stoner stereotype and demonstrate that some of the compounds in cannabis may help elevate performance.

Does Getting High Give You Runners High?

New research set to be published in the coming month suggests that serious athletes may get a boost from the chemical compounds in cannabis, specifically CBD. CBD is one of the primary chemical compounds in cannabis plants. Unlike its counterpart, THC, it does not produce a psychoactive reaction or euphoric “high.”

The small-scale research project focused on 12 adults. These adults consumed 300 milligrams of CBD or a grapeseed oil placebo two hours before completing an intense workout of running two miles on a treadmill as fast as possible. During the testing, researchers gathered data on the participants’ vital signs and asked them to fill out surveys. The surveys gathered information on the athlete’s state of mind and other subjective experiences to help the researchers measure anxiety and other emotional states.

The study’s results show that participants who consumed CBD reported feeling less anxious and instead experiencing feelings of calm and relaxation. They also reported that the CBD group showed about an 8 percent reduction in the average rate of perceived exertion halfway through the two-mile run.

Does CBD Affect a Runner’s Rate of Perceived Exertion?

Rate of Perceived Exertion, or RPE, is a scale that trainers and athletes use to measure how hard they think a person is working or pushing themselves during a workout. The RPE scale helps athletes manage their exercise intensity, improving cardio training and endurance in many cases. RPE can vary depending on a person’s athletic prowess. However, a “one” rating on the RPE scale could describe a casual walk, while a “ten” may represent a no-holds-barred sprint.

In addition to feeling more relaxed and experiencing a lower RPE than non-cannabis runners, the adults who consumed CBD before running also completed the two-mile haul slightly faster than those who did not take CBD. The team indicates that additional findings will be included in their full report when it is officially published and released in September.

Are CBD Users Couch Potatoes?

The new study joins a growing body of research that bucks the stereotype that those who consume cannabis have little energy or motivation to put down the munchies and get off the couch. A similar study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that compounds in cannabis may make exercise more fun, boosting motivation and making exercise more enjoyable.

One study author says, “We have an epidemic of sedentary lifestyle in this country, and we need new tools to try to get people to move their bodies in ways that are enjoyable. If cannabis is one of those tools, we need to explore it, keeping in mind both the harms and the benefits.”

Researchers suggest that cannabinoids, which bind to specific receptors in the brain, may allow athletes to tap into that elusive “runners’ high” while engaging in shorter and less intense workouts. Previous studies indicate that true runners’ high is a rare occurrence, and a majority of athletes never experience the intense sensation.

The University of Boulder study suggests that while cannabis may make exercise more pleasurable and fun, it should not be considered a performance-enhancing drug. That fact, combined with the popularity of legal marijuana, may be why many athletic organizations are removing marijuana from their lists of banned substances.

How Does CBD Benefit Athletes?

Many exercise publications are picking up on the CBD trend, offering serious athletes and casual gym-goers information on how cannabis may help improve their workouts. These publications suggest that CBD’s pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce muscle and joint pain, easing the aches and pain associated with an intense workout session.

The chemical compounds in cannabis may also boost mental clarity, offering runners more focused and increased energy with less stress and anxiety. You stay calm for the entire workout and can focus on the mood-boosting effects of CBD and dopamine. Elite athletes may be particularly susceptible to stress and anxiety, especially when they are expected to perform on a global stage or in stadiums filled with cheering and jeering people. The pressure to perform to a specific standard can be mentally crippling, leading to poor physical performance.

CBD and Sleep

Another potential benefit of CBD for athletes and runners is the regulation of sleep cycles. Undoubtedly, a good night’s rest can stave off the effects of numerous detrimental physical and mental health conditions. Pain, stress, anxiety, and conditions like insomnia can lead to sleep deprivation and poor physical performance. Some studies indicate cannabis may be an effective treatment for insomnia and other health conditions, offering gym-goers and athletes potential benefits the next day. Another bonus is that, unlike other insomnia treatments, CBD does not seem to produce the same “morning-after” side effects like drowsiness, sluggishness, and mental fog.

Use CBD with Care in Your Workouts

Before you run out to grab CBD and add it to your existing workout routine, consult with your primary care physician to ensure it is safe for you to use and won’t interact with other drugs or supplements you may be taking. Then, pump up the jam and enjoy your next workout.

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