Cannabis and exercise: what to know
Some athletes swear by it, others avoid it. How cannabis interacts with working out.
Cannabis and fitness is a surprisingly common pairing, some people use it before a run or yoga, others for recovery after. This guide weighs what the research shows.
Why some people use it
- Recovery and relaxation: many use it after training to unwind and manage soreness.
- Mind-body focus: some find low doses help them get “in the zone” for activities like yoga, hiking, or running.
- Enjoyment: it can make repetitive cardio feel less tedious.
The caveats
- Impairment and coordination: THC affects balance, reaction time, and judgment. That’s a real risk for anything requiring focus or where a fall could hurt.
- Heart rate: cannabis raises heart rate, which stacks on top of exercise. Be cautious if you have any cardiovascular concerns.
- It’s not a performance enhancer: evidence doesn’t support cannabis making you stronger or faster.
A sensible approach
- If you use it around exercise, keep the dose low and favour low-risk activities.
- Avoid it before anything dangerous: weights, climbing, cycling in traffic.
- Hydrate: and listen to your body.
- For recovery, topicals are popular for localized soreness without any high. See our topicals guide.
Sources
- Health Canada, Cannabis health effects
Frequently asked questions
Can you work out on cannabis?
Some people use it before or after exercise, but THC raises heart rate and impairs coordination, so be cautious with anything that needs balance or quick reactions.
Does cannabis help with workout recovery?
Many report it helps them relax and manage soreness, though the evidence is mostly anecdotal. CBD is a common choice for this.
Is it safe to do cardio while high?
Cannabis raises heart rate, so intense cardio while high is not ideal. Lighter, lower-risk activity is safer if you choose to combine them.
THC or CBD for exercise?
CBD is non-intoxicating and will not impair coordination, so many people prefer it around workouts. THC is better kept for afterwards, if at all.
Know your local rules
Legal age, where to buy, and where you can use it all change by province.
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