High Performance, Athletically Speaking

By Dianne Armitage

A 2020 study published in PubMed, Cannabis Use and Sport: A Systematic Review, concluded that approximately one in four athletes report using cannabis. The study also mentioned that much more scientific evidence is needed to draw meaningful conclusions regarding efficacy, safety, best delivery systems, and long-term use.

This use appears to appeal to athletes across all manner of physical pursuits—with Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan, professional Motocross star Travis Pastrana, and professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez among its proponents.

The University of Colorado in Boulder is conducting several studies on cannabis. Laurel Gibson, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, is the principal investigator for The SPACE study (Study on Physical Activity and Cannabis Effects).

She finds it intriguing that some studies suggest it is not endorphins that are responsible for the famous “runner’s high” but rather endogenous cannabinoids, naturally produced cannabinoid-like brain chemicals that kick in after a period of exercise, binding to receptors in the brain to make us euphoric and alert.

Gibson says, “It is possible that exogenous cannabinoids like THC or CBD might activate the endocannabinoid system in a way that mimics the runner’s high.”

In 2022, the NIH published a study conducted by the Journal of Cannabis Research exploring how and why adults use cannabis during physical activity. Essentially, this research further indicates that more study is needed, but the researchers felt they had provided directions to further explore the risks and benefits of combining cannabis with physical activity.

Interestingly, they point out early on that “Cannabis is one of the most widely used ‘illicit’ drugs ranking second highest in reported drug consumption among athletes. While research investigating the impacts of cannabis use on exercise performance began over 50 years ago, (Maksud and Baron 1980; et al.), the legal status of cannabis has made this research difficult to perform (Piomelli et al. 2019).

In a recent conversation with Morgan English, founder of STONED + TONED, she shared how she began her cannabis journey saying “Growing up, I never had a good relationship with movement or even my own body image. Being a child from the ’90s, we were told to work out to lose weight and be skinny. That your value was based on your body size. Exercise was a punishment when, in reality, the ability to move our bodies is and should be a celebration of what we can do.

Morgan English, Owner, Stoned+Toned

“Fast forward to college and when I discovered cannabis, for the first time in my life I felt a natural pull to go workout. I smoked a bowl on my fire escape and went to my college gym, and as I rode a bike, I felt joy with movement for the first time.

“There was no voice inside my head telling me I wasn’t good enough, strong enough, or able enough. The anxiety of being in public working out washed away. The connection between my mind and my body was strengthened.”

When asked how she counters the kneejerk reaction some people have when even considering the safety of using cannabis for workouts and injuries, Morgan quickly points out “When I get asked about this I always ask back, do we, as a society, think twice about someone stopping for a happy hour beer and then driving home? We don’t. With our workouts at STONED + TONED, we lean into micro-dosing. We recommend a few hits to start and then follow it with a 45-minute workout. We don’t encourage overconsumption. We provide a great breakdown on our website for anyone hoping to learn more: Weed + Workouts 101 | Stoned+Toned (www.stonedandtoned.com).”

Ventura, California-based, Sarah Colesanti, owner of For Your Well-Being, has been an athlete her entire life and has been using cannabis products for 27 years. She has found that before high-performance exertion activities, using cannabis decreases pain, muscle soreness, and inflammation. Additionally, her recovery time is cut in half, her joints feel better, and her adrenals are not working overtime.

Sarah Colesanti, Owner, For Your Well-Being

“I use cannabis in my wellness office and have quite a few athletes that regularly get work done. I am able to work deeper and more efficiently when I use my Therapeutic Relief Oil topically on my clients.”

As an Exercise Physiologist, Colesanti recommends starting out slow, saying, “Going too fast may deter you from feeling the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Perhaps two hits of a joint, or a gummy that is a balance of THC and CBD, or a topical solution would be more suitable for first-timers. Every body is different and we metabolize at different rates, so finding that niche that works for you is important.” Learn more about Sarah’s practice Exercise, Massage, Yoga, Reiki, Wellness | For Your Well-Being | Ventura at (www.foryourwell-being.com).

The Fine Print

Before trying any new exercise or health regimen, it’s always good to check with your doctor.

Start low and slow with the movement and the cannabis.

Remember to dose liberally with TLC. Self-care is the best gift for yourself and your loved ones.