Runner's high: Research claims that smoking weed before exercise can increase motivation – and make it more fun

About 80 percent of cannabis users have combined weed with exercise — and a new study has revealed there could be a method to what some call madness.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder conducted “a unique study” that found smoking weed before hitting the gym increases motivation and enjoyment.

Participants hopped on treadmills for 30 minutes after taking the drug and found that not only did time seem to pass, but the workout felt harder than when they ran fasted.

The team suspected that the 'runner's high' stemmed from the fact that the drug tapped into naturally produced brain chemicals that made individuals feel euphoric and alert.

The “runner's high” is likely caused by chemicals in the brain called endogenous cannabinoids, which occur after longer workouts.

“The reality is that some people will never experience the runner's high,” says first author and research fellow at CU Change Laurel Gibson.

The study included 42 participants who were already running while using cannabis.

Individuals were divided into two groups: one using a designated floral strain containing primarily cannabidiol (CBD), and the other a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-dominant strain.

THC and CBD are active ingredients in cannabis, with THC being known to be more intoxicating.

The first part of the study had participants walk at a moderate pace on a treadmill for 30 minutes.

The study included 42 participants who were already running while using cannabis. Researchers asked everyone why they mixed cannabis with exercise

They were periodically asked questions to assess how motivated they felt, how much they enjoyed themselves, how hard the workout felt, how quickly time seemed to pass, and their pain level.

Then everyone repeated the experiment while under the influence of cannabis.

'“Across the board, participants reported greater pleasure and more intense euphoria, or 'runner's high,' when exercising after using cannabis,” the team shared in a press release.

'Surprisingly, this elevated mood was even greater in the CBD group than in the THC group, suggesting that athletes may be able to experience some of the mood benefits without the impairments that can come with THC.

Participants run at a moderate pace on a treadmill for 30 minutes after smoking marijuana

“The overall finding is that pre-exercise cannabis appears to increase positive mood and enjoyment during exercise, whether you use THC or CBD,” says Gibson.

'But THC products in particular can make exercise feel harder.'

The University of Colorado previously conducted a study that showed how many people smoke weed before going to the gym.

The 2021 study found that while running at the same speed and intensity as the CBD group, the THC participants reported it was much more difficult than fasting running.

The results showed that “it's pretty clear… cannabis is not a performance-enhancing drug,” said Angela Bryan, senior author of the study and professor of psychology and neuroscience and co-director of CU Change.

There is still a need for additional studies to determine whether cannabis can help people who generally have difficulty exercising because they do not enjoy the activity or are not motivated.

“We're facing an epidemic of sedentary lifestyles in this country, and we need new tools to try to get people moving their bodies in enjoyable ways,” Bryan said.

“If cannabis is one of those tools, we should explore it, keeping both the harms and benefits in mind.”