If you’ve ever wondered whether cannabis has a place in your workout routine, you’re not alone. It’s a question we hear often at Lit Dispensary, especially from Denver locals who love staying active in this fitness-friendly city. Between hiking trails, gym culture, and year-round outdoor activities, Colorado practically invites the question: can cannabis and fitness actually work together?

The short answer? It depends. The longer answer involves understanding how different cannabinoids affect your body, what the research actually says, and how to approach the combination responsibly. Whether you’re a recreational user curious about post-workout recovery or a medical patient managing chronic pain, there’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s dig in.

How Cannabis Affects the Body During Exercise

Before mixing cannabis with your fitness routine, it helps to understand what’s actually happening in your body when you consume THC or CBD before physical activity.

THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, has some notable effects on your cardiovascular system. Research shows it elevates heart rate during submaximal exercise (think moderate-intensity workouts where you’re not pushing to your absolute limit). It also reduces ventilatory efficiency, which basically means your body has to work harder to breathe. In sustained efforts like a 20-minute cycling session, THC has been shown to lower power output regardless of whether you smoked or vaped.

At higher intensities, your maximal heart rate and VO2 max tend to converge whether you’ve consumed cannabis or not. But here’s the catch: time to exhaustion decreases slightly when THC is in your system. You might feel fine, but your body taps out a bit sooner.

CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have these performance-impairing effects. Studies show it has minimal impact on exercise physiology, and some research even suggests it might slightly improve submaximal efficiency. More on that comparison later.

The Endocannabinoid System and Physical Activity

You’ve probably heard of the “runner’s high,” that euphoric feeling after a good workout. For years, scientists thought endorphins were solely responsible. But newer research points to the endocannabinoid system as a major player.

Your body naturally produces cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids) that interact with the same receptors that THC binds to. Exercise triggers the release of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that contributes to mood elevation, pain reduction, and that overall sense of wellbeing after a workout.

The connection between external cannabinoids (like those in cannabis) and exercise is less clear. THC alters cardiorespiratory responses, possibly through its psychotropic effects on pacing and perceived effort. You might feel more relaxed, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to better performance. The direct link between consuming cannabis and enhancing endocannabinoid function during exercise remains an area that needs more research.

Potential Benefits of Combining Cannabis and Workouts

Even though the performance concerns, there are reasons some athletes and fitness enthusiasts incorporate cannabis into their routines. Here’s where the potential upsides come in.

Pain Management and Recovery

This is probably the most commonly cited reason for using cannabis around workouts. Many people, particularly those dealing with chronic pain or recovering from injuries, find that cannabis helps manage discomfort that might otherwise keep them from exercising at all.

The evidence here is largely anecdotal. We don’t have strong clinical data showing that cannabis improves athletic recovery or performance. But, cross-sectional studies comparing cannabis users to non-users have found no significant differences in VO2 max, suggesting that regular use doesn’t seem to hurt long-term fitness markers.

For medical patients managing conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or old injuries, cannabis fitness benefits might be less about performance enhancement and more about simply being able to move without significant pain. That’s a meaningful benefit even if it doesn’t show up in lab tests.

Motivation and Enjoyment

Let’s be honest: sometimes the hardest part of working out is wanting to do it in the first place. Some people report that cannabis makes exercise more enjoyable, whether that’s a long hike, a yoga session, or a low-intensity bike ride.

The psychological effects of THC, particularly at lower doses, may enhance the perceived enjoyment of physical activity. You might feel more present, more tuned into your body, or simply more content during a workout.

That said, this is subjective territory. There aren’t athlete-specific trials backing up these claims with hard data. What works for one person might leave another feeling sluggish or anxious. If motivation is your main struggle, experimenting carefully with low-dose products might be worth exploring, but go in with realistic expectations.

Risks and Drawbacks to Consider

We’d be doing you a disservice if we only talked about the upsides. There are real risks to combining cannabis, especially THC, with exercise.

Reduced power output is one of the most consistent findings in research. If you’re trying to hit PRs or push your limits, THC works against you. Your body simply doesn’t perform at its peak.

Increased fatigue shows up in studies as well. Even if you feel relaxed, you’ll likely tire faster than you would sober.

Impaired motor skills and coordination can last up to 24 hours after consumption. This is a bigger deal than many people realize. Activities requiring balance, quick reflexes, or precise movements carry more risk when your coordination is compromised.

Cardiovascular strain is another concern. THC increases your heart rate and the rate-pressure product (a measure of how hard your heart is working). For most healthy adults, this isn’t dangerous during moderate activity. But if you have underlying heart conditions, it’s something to discuss with your doctor.

Worsened performance in aerobic and anaerobic tests rounds out the list. Whether you’re doing HIIT, distance running, or weightlifting, THC tends to drag down your results.

The bottom line: if peak performance matters for your workout, THC isn’t your friend before or during exercise.

CBD vs. THC: Which Is Better for Fitness?

This is where the conversation gets more nuanced. CBD and THC affect your body very differently, and that distinction matters for fitness.

THC consistently impairs exercise performance in research. It affects your cardiovascular response, reduces power output, and can make sustained efforts harder. The psychoactive effects might make a casual activity feel more enjoyable, but they come with measurable downsides.

CBD, by contrast, doesn’t appear to hurt performance at all. Studies show no significant impact on exercise physiology, and some research suggests it might even improve efficiency during submaximal exercise. CBD also lacks the psychoactive effects of THC, so you won’t feel “high” or experience impaired coordination.

For athletes and fitness-focused individuals, CBD is generally the safer choice if you want to incorporate cannabis into your routine. It won’t give you a performance boost, but it won’t hold you back either. Some people use CBD products for pain relief before or after workouts without worrying about the downsides associated with THC.

At Lit Dispensary, we carry a range of CBD products specifically for customers interested in this kind of targeted use. Our staff at both the Federal and Broadway locations in downtown Denver can walk you through options that fit your goals.

Best Practices for Using Cannabis With Your Fitness Routine

If you’re going to combine cannabis and exercise, here are some practical guidelines based on what the research tells us:

• Avoid THC before vigorous exercise. Save it for after your workout if you want to use it at all. The performance impairments are real, and the cardiovascular strain isn’t worth it during intense activity.
• Consider CBD if you want something pre-workout. It won’t hurt your performance and may help with discomfort or anxiety around exercise.
• Start low and go slow. This is good advice for cannabis in general, but especially true when you’re planning to be physically active. A small dose lets you gauge how your body responds without committing to a full experience.
• Limit THC to post-workout recovery. Some people find that cannabis helps them relax and recover after exercise. The evidence here is preliminary, but if you’re using it for muscle soreness or sleep, after your workout is the time.
• Know your activity. A gentle yoga session or a scenic hike is very different from a CrossFit class or a competitive basketball game. Match your cannabis use (if any) to the demands of what you’re doing.
• Listen to your body. If cannabis makes you feel sluggish, anxious, or uncoordinated, that’s valuable information. Not everyone responds the same way.
• Talk to your doctor if you’re a medical patient. Especially if you’re using cannabis for pain management or another condition, your healthcare provider can help you balance your fitness goals with your treatment plan.

More research is needed on long-term effects and athlete-specific applications. We’re still in early days when it comes to understanding exactly how cannabis fits into an active lifestyle.

Conclusion

So, can cannabis and fitness go together? They can, but it requires some thought and intention.

THC before or during exercise isn’t a great idea if performance matters to you. The research is pretty clear on that. But CBD offers a more neutral option, and there’s a reasonable case for using cannabis post-workout for relaxation and recovery.

The key is knowing what you’re putting in your body and why. Understanding the difference between THC and CBD, being honest about your goals, and paying attention to how you feel are all part of responsible cannabis use in Colorado.

If you’re curious about finding the right products for your lifestyle, whether that’s CBD for recovery, low-dose edibles, or something else entirely, stop by Lit Dispensary. We have two convenient downtown Denver locations off Federal and Broadway, and our team is always happy to help you find what works for you. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, we’re here to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Stay active, stay informed, and enjoy Colorado responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cannabis and fitness actually work together?

Yes, cannabis and fitness can work together, but it depends on your goals and the cannabinoid you use. THC impairs performance during exercise, while CBD has minimal impact. Many fitness enthusiasts use CBD pre-workout and reserve THC for post-workout recovery and relaxation.

How does THC affect exercise performance?

THC elevates heart rate, reduces ventilatory efficiency, and lowers power output during moderate-intensity workouts. Research shows it decreases time to exhaustion and can impair motor skills and coordination for up to 24 hours. For peak performance, avoid THC before or during exercise.

Is CBD better than THC for working out?

Yes, CBD is generally the better choice for fitness. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t impair exercise performance, affect cardiovascular response, or cause coordination issues. Some research suggests CBD may slightly improve submaximal exercise efficiency, making it a safer option for pre-workout use.

What is the runner’s high and does cannabis affect it?

Runner’s high is the euphoric feeling after exercise, largely driven by your body’s endocannabinoid system releasing anandamide. While THC binds to the same receptors, research hasn’t proven that consuming cannabis enhances this natural effect during physical activity.

When is the best time to use cannabis around workouts?

The best approach is using CBD before exercise if needed for discomfort or anxiety, and reserving THC for post-workout recovery. THC may help with relaxation, muscle soreness, and sleep after training, but should be avoided during vigorous physical activity.

Does regular cannabis use affect long-term fitness levels?

Cross-sectional studies comparing cannabis users to non-users show no significant differences in VO2 max, suggesting regular use doesn’t negatively impact long-term fitness markers. However, more research is needed on athlete-specific applications and chronic use effects.