The New Runner's High: Why More Athletes Are Turning to Weed

It’s a typical Wednesday evening. After a long run, Andrew*, who works in digital media in New York City, is following his standard post-run routine. Like most runners, he’ll quickly cool down, stretch, drink water, and maybe grab a post-workout snack. Unlike most runners, he’ll also smoke pot.

The avid runner and cyclist, whose racing résumé includes the Umstead 100 Ultra, typically lights up immediately before his athletic activities and usually within an hour or two post-sweat session.

Andrew isn’t alone in his habit of combining cannabis and sport—in fact, it's become an underground trend in distance-running culture. Ultra runners like Avery Collins and Jen Shelton have admitted to running under the influence of marijuana. And former professional runner Chris Barnicle, a cannabis advocate living in Los Angeles, calls himself the “world’s fastest stoner” on Twitter. Pro-cannabis running groups, like Run on Grass in Denver, are dedicated to staying fit and educating others about cannabis, while online communities like Cannafit and NORML Athletics also promote cannabis' association with healthy living.

Your Brain on Mary Jane

Andrew didn't used to toke up before a workout. “But as I started getting into longer distances like marathons, I noticed my mindset was very similar when I’m running and when I’m high,“ he says. “If I don’t smoke before a run, I’m constantly thinking about the miles and how much further I have to go, rather than just enjoying the experience.”

Science backs up this sensation. A quick refresher course on how weed works: When you ingest marijuana—whether via smoke, vape, or edibles—its chemical compounds, or cannabinoids, combine with your brain and body’s receptors that regulate pain, emotions, appetite, and memory. One compound, cannabidiol (CBD), is non-psychoactive and brings about that calm and relaxed feeling. The other main compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive chemical that generates feelings of euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, lack of focus, and sometimes drowsiness.

While weed may not sound like an ideal substance to ingest before lacing up your sneakers, it turns out our bodies naturally produce similar compounds after exercise. Research has shown high levels of anandamide, a cannabinoid naturally produced in the body, in the bloodstream of individuals after running and cycling¹ .

So, ingesting cannabis mimics the very natural process of increasing exercise-induced endocannabinoids, explains Gregory Gerdeman, an assistant professor of biology at Eckerd College. “That runner’s joy—whether natural or marijuana-induced—can minimize distraction and help exercise be not just a means to an end, but an enjoyment.”

The Perks of Pot

In a competitive world, it's not unusual for runners to go beyond the basics to enhance their performance, whether it’s wearing compression gear, plunging into ice baths, or downing pickle juice before a race. But can using cannabis really give them an edge?

Studies on the effects of cannabis on athletes are very limited—and the studies that are available tend to focus on the negative effects² . But plenty of pro-cannabis advocates, as well as some studies, point out potential benefits of pairing pot and running.

These positive effects are mostly indirectly related to the sport itself, like decreasing anxiety, explains Amanda Feilding, director of The Beckley Foundation, a non-profit in the U.K. devoted to psychedelic science and drug policy reform. Athletes seem motivated to use cannabis due to its effects on relaxation, well-being, and its promotion of better sleep before a race, research finds³ . This same relaxing effect may make it easier for muscles to recover as well, Feilding says.

Another perk for athletes: Cannabis can increase impulsive responses, leading to more risk-taking behavior—without affecting decision-making—which can be beneficial in competitions⁴ . Studies also suggest that cannabis can increase oxygenation of tissues, improve vision and concentration, help athletes forget previous traumatic experiences related to the activity (like falls or injuries), reduce muscle spasms, and aid in pain relief³ .

Still, researchers say much more scientific research is needed to determine the performance-enhancing effects. (Translation: Don't try this at home, kids.) Plus, inhaling smoke is not exactly an ideal delivery method, explains Dustin Sulak, a licensed osteopathic physician and advocate of integrative medicine. Instead, runners can turn to edibles, vaporizers, and oral medicine. These alternatives won't harm your lungs or expose you to toxic substances that are in smoke—"vaping" in particular has been touted as the healthiest way to ingest cannabis—but they can also hit your system harder and last longer (up to 10 hours!) than smoked THC. So, you should use caution and talk to a medical professional before consuming.

Though the verdict is still out on the benefits of weed for runners, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence from pro-ganja athletes. Tyler Hurst, a writer, runner, and cannabis enthusiast in Phoenix, has been using cannabis regularly for about five years. He typically ingests a Squib, a small, easily-stashable edible, before long weekend runs.

“It’s pretty great to run through a field, across a bridge, in a forest, or up a mountain while being hyper-aware of your environment,” Hurst says. “I’ve recovered faster in the past year than I ever have before, all while running longer and eating the same.” He says cannabis helps relax his muscles once they become fatigued, making it easier to foam roll and stretch post-run.

The Cons of Cannabis

But is it safe? Not exactly. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of cannabis on running and everyday life in general, so for starters, there’s the risk of the unknown, Feilding says. Cannabis also increases the heart rate, so runners might reach their limits more quickly after smoking or ingesting cannabis, she explains.

Then, there's what we’ll call “the stuff our parents warned us about.” Studies show that consistent cannabis use can impair short-term memory, decrease alertness, lower reaction time, accelerate muscle fatigue (leading to a shorter exercise sesh), or even cause cardiovascular disease⁵ . It's also been associated with a declining IQ. Plus, some people experience paranoia or extreme anxiety while high—not exactly a recipe for crushing your PR⁶ .

Finally, we’re all familiar with the fact that smoking can damage your lungs. Although smoking pot has lower risks of lung disease compared to tobacco, marijuana smoke does contain a number of carcinogens and has been associated with an increased likelihood of chronic bronchitis⁷ .

Oh, and there’s that little issue that it's likely against the law. Medical marijuana is only legal in 23 states (and Washington, D.C.) so far, and only four states (Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska) allow legal use today. Cannabis is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for all individuals competing in professional sports.

The Debate Continues

Some athletes disagree with that classification. “I don’t think cannabis should be considered a performance-enhancing drug,” Gerdeman says. “There are aspects of cannabis that improve athlete's focus during training, but it’s not the same as injecting hormones that increase your blood cells or stimulate muscle growth. Good nutrition is performance enhancing, but it’s natural—cannabis falls more closer to that end of the spectrum.”

Unfortunately, the strict laws around cannabis make it difficult to conduct research to learn more, Feilding says. And the cannabis that is available isn't regulated or consistent. "It has varying amounts of CBD and THC, the product’s two major chemicals, which can have different effects on individuals," she explais.

Gerdeman and Feilding believe more research is vital to understanding the pros and cons of cannabis. “Biomedical research points to a lot of potential benefits that are really too premature to go out broadcasting, but the medical marijuana industry, which is still federally illegal, is so highly unregulated that advocates cherry pick positive stories,” Gerdeman says. “We're just at the cusp of learning a lot more about it.”

Barnicle, the speedy stoner from L.A., just asks that everyone keep an open mind. The former track athlete kept his habit under wraps along with other teammates while competing for the University of Arkansas, but wishes more big-time athletes would announce their love for cannabis to help worldwide acceptance grow. He’s now developing a cannabis energy bar for athletes. “Unfortunately, athletes themselves seem to be really in a secret society about it,” Barnicle says. “The whole system just needs to be changed.”

*Last name has been withheld as cannabis is currently illegal in New York.

Works Cited

1. Exercise activates the endocannabinoid system. Sparling PB, Giuffrida A, Piomelli D. Neuroreport, 2004, May.;14(17):0959-4965.
2. Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review. Ashton CH. The British Journal of Psychiatry: The Journal of Mental Science, 2001, May.;178():0007-1250.
3. Cannabis in Sport. Marilyn A. Huestis, Irene Mazzoni, and Olivier Rabin. Sports Medicine. 2011 Nov 1; 41(11); 949-966.
4. Effects of THC on behavioral measures of impulsivity in humans. McDonald J, Schleifer L, Richards JB. Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2003, Apr.;28(7):0893-133X.
5. Cognitive and subjective dose-response effects of acute oral Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in infrequent cannabis users. Curran HV, Brignell C, Fletcher S. Psychopharmacology, 2002, Jul.;164(1):0033-3158.
   Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review. Ashton CH. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 2001, May.;178():0007-1250.
6. Marijuana sensitivity and panic anxiety. Szuster RR, Pontius EB, Campos PE. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 1988, Dec.;49(11):0160-6689.
7. Effects of marijuana smoking on the lung. Tashkin DP. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 2014, Feb.;10(3):2325-6621.

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