Cannabis and trail: Between science, experiments and controversy

The relationship between the Cannabis and sports have long been marked by contradictions.

On the one hand, international organizations such as the’World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) continue to classify THC, the main psychoactive substance in cannabis, among the prohibited substances, citing a potential improvement in performance and a violation of «sportsmanship».

On the other hand, various studies and a growing number of testimonials from’athletes suggest that cannabis may not improve performance in the conventional sense, but that it could transform the subjective experience of exertion.

Scientific Research: No Physiological Benefits, but a Change in Perception

A recent study by Christian Cheung, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, highlighted the effect of cannabis on endurance performance. Fourteen amateur athletes were tested in time-trial conditions under various scenarios: on an empty stomach, after consuming THC-dominant cannabis, or after consuming CBD-dominant cannabis.

The results were clear: THC slowed the participants down, with a 5.1 % decline in performance when smoked and a 7.5 % decline when vaporized. The CBD, on the other hand, had no measurable impact on performance.

«During the submaximal warm-up, THC (but not CBD) increased heart rate by 14 to 18 beats per minute,» Cheung explained. «.”.

Interestingly, other research conducted at the’University of Colorado at Boulder revealed that athletes reported feeling a stronger sense of’euphoria, ease, and relaxation – the famous « runner's high » – after consuming cannabis, even CBD-dominant strains. This paradox—in which CBD (considered non-psychoactive) appears to amplify the psychological experience of exercise—continues to baffle researchers.

The Culture of Stoned Athletes

While controlled studies remain rare, there is no shortage of real-life experiences. The author from Denver Josiah Hesse described this underground culture in his book Runner's High, where he investigates the widespread—though rarely reported—practice of exercising while under the influence of cannabis.

Hesse himself took up running in his late twenties, though he initially struggled to enjoy it. That changed when he tried some THC gummies before a workout: «Instead of suffering and frustration, I felt free. It felt like I weighed only 25 kilos when I was running uphill,», he told the Colorado Sun.

From that point on, running while under the influence of cannabis became a daily routine, helping him transition from a sedentary lifestyle to ultra-marathon distances. Beyond his own story, Hesse interviewed numerous athletes, from the ultra-marathoner Avery Collins, who openly supports cannabis, to war veterans who use it to manage their post-traumatic stress disorder during their training.

These accounts are consistent with a 2019 study conducted by the University of Colorado, which shows that 81.7% of cannabis users in states where it is legal reported associating cannabis with exercise physical, with most claiming that it increased their enjoyment.

Managing Pain, Recovery, and Anxiety

For many endurance athletes, cannabis is not used to push the limits of human capability, but rather to coping with the inevitable pain and stress related to extreme physical exertion. Ultra-trail runners such as Jenn Shelton and Avery Collins have publicly admitted to using cannabis to reduce stomach discomfort, manage pain during races longer than 100 kilometers, and help with post-workout recovery.

As Shelton explained to the Wall Street Journal : «The person who will win an ultra-trail is the one who can manage their pain, avoid vomiting, and stay calm. And a joint meets all three of those conditions.»

Collins, who competes in races of up to 300 kilometers, also uses the cannabis after the race to help me fall asleep and reduce competition-related stress. This aspect of’self-medication gained popularity at a time when the alternatives to opioids are increasingly sought after for pain management.

For example, American ultrarunner Matt Johnson films himself during his recovery sessions.

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Even traditionally conservative sports organizations such as the NFL began funding research on cannabis for recovery.

Between Counterculture and Mainstream Debate

The presence of the cannabis in sports endurance also reflects the countercultural roots ultramarathon.

Unlike traditional track and field, where strict training regimens are the norm, the ultra-marathon community often embraces alternative lifestyles. Cannabis and trail running are not inherently incompatible. Given the risk of serious injury, dehydration, and discomfort associated with these extraordinary feats, it is understandable that these athletes would do everything in their power to avoid pain.

This practice remains controversial, even when it comes to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, the use of which is increasingly criticized among elite trail runners. The anti-doping tests are also rare in ultra-trail competitions, particularly those that aren't in the spotlight of the global athletics scene. While some athletes, like Shelton, refuse to use cannabis While some refrain from performing at official events for ethical reasons, others see no conflict between performing and personal well-being.

A legal and ethical gray area

The issue of cannabis in sports cannot be separated from its legal status. In the United States, the evolution of the The regulation has reignited the debate over the need for WADA to reconsider its position. The case of Sha'Carri Richardson, suspended after testing positive during the 2021 Olympic trials, remains emblematic of this tension.

In France, where recreational cannabis remains illegal, the debate is still at a standstill despite ongoing experiments with medical cannabis and the legality of CBD. In January 2023, the French Economic, Social, and Environmental Council He even called for the regulation of cannabis sales, acknowledging the paradox of strict laws coexisting with some of the highest consumption rates in Europe.

For now, the Cannabis remains a banned substance in sports competitive, even though studies show little evidence of a direct effect on performance improvement. This makes it increasingly difficult to justify suspending athletes like sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson for doing something that has not no apparent effect on their performance.

The Science of the «Runner’s High»

One of the most intriguing scientific debates concerns the «runner’s high» itself. Long attributed to endorphins, recent research suggests that the neurotransmitter « anandamide », nicknamed the «happiness molecule,» plays a central role. Activated by physical exercise, it binds to the same receptors as the THC, which explains the striking overlap between natural euphoria and cannabis-induced euphoria.

As Hesse explains: «Research shows that the more enjoyable exercise is, the more likely you are to do it on your own. Cannabis promotes a connection between the body and mind and helps you disconnect from the rest of the world so you can focus on what’s going on inside you.»

This could explain why many Amateur athletes are turning to cannabis not to win races, but to rediscover the the joy of sports, thereby transforming physical exercise from a chore into a form of meditation.

Risks, Limitations, and Next Steps

Despite its growing popularity, the Cannabis is not without risks for athletes. From High doses of THC can cause anxiety, paranoia, vomiting, dry mouth, or lethargy, which can be dangerous in a high-performance setting. The variability of individual reactions also complicates the picture: what works for one runner may be harmful to another.

The scientific consensus is far from established. As Hesse pointed out: «It is unfortunate that the people who argue that we cannot legalize until we have more scientific data are the same people who argue that we cannot obtain more scientific data until we have legalized.»

Until then, cannabis will remain in a gray area between performance, recovery, and personal experience—at once banned, celebrated by some, and studied by others.