Runner's High

Does cannabis improve fitness? The question of many people who exercise, cannabis scientists, down to elite athletes and their trainers have been trying to figure out more recently. More specifically, does it help runners, run longer or faster? The New York Times reported that more ultra marathon runners have been partaking in cannabis consumption because of the benefits. Is cannabis creating a runner’s high? So far, research is lacking, but there are some other interesting points to consider about cannabis use among runners.

A surprising benefit that has been reported by runners, is that cannabis can actually help them breathe better. Cannabis users and researchers are reporting that cannabis can be a bronchodilator. A bronchodilator is a type of medication that makes breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways (bronchi).

A bronchodilator is a type of medication that makes breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways (bronchi). However, there is a caveat, because smoke (of any kind), can also be an airway irritant that can trigger inflammation causing increased coughing and wheezing, therefore making breathing more difficult. Appears that cannabis users and researchers are leaning towards 1-3 puffs of cannabis that can give bronchodilation benefits without causing a coughing fit. Very few studies have attempted to measure this, with nothing conclusive, but this could be mostly due to research limitations and poor design of the scientific methods and testing.

Is it the effects of cannabis or the release of endorphins that allude to the feeling of a runner’s high? The endorphins are molecules released when your body feels pain or stress and released during pleasurable activities like exercise, massages, eating, and sex.

They help to relieve pain, reduce stress and improve their sense of well-being, which are all things that cannabis users would report that cannabis does for them as well. Some scientists believe that cannabis and the cannabinoids that our bodies make (endocannabinoids), like anandamide, can stimulate opioid receptors, giving that relaxing feeling. An alternative hypothesis from a small study speculated that anandamide is elevated after running which creates the runner’s high and is not due to endorphin release. The researchers of this study also suggested that using cannabis before running (or any exercise) can “jumpstart” the endorphin release.

They help to relieve pain, reduce stress and improve their sense of well-being, which are all things that cannabis users would report that cannabis does for them as well. Some scientists believe that cannabis and the cannabinoids that our bodies make (endocannabinoids), like anandamide, can stimulate opioid receptors, giving that relaxing feeling. An alternative hypothesis from a small study speculated that anandamide is elevated after running which creates the runner’s high and is not due to endorphin release. The researchers of this study also suggested that using cannabis before running (or any exercise) can “jumpstart” the endorphin release.