Running has the same effects as cannabis

Published

11 years ago

October 26, 2015 - Updated on February 7, 2020

An American study has revealed an interesting new fact: running provides the same benefits as running. effects of cannabis.

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This is particularly true of the’runner's intoxication that has been studied, a feeling that regular riders are well known: a feeling of intense euphoria that is triggered during or after a sports session.

For a long time, scientists believed that this feeling was triggered by the release of endorphins in the body. It now seems that endocannabinoid system comes into play. The study, This study, carried out on mice, shows that physical activity, in this case running in a wheel, increases endocannabinoids and reduces both anxiety and pain sensation.

Cannabinoid receptor ablation inhibits race-induced anxiolytics (the substances responsible for anxiety reduction), and pharmacological blockade of central and peripheral cannabinoids inhibits analgesic effects, linked to pain reduction.

Cannabinoid receptors are therefore the main mechanism behind the runner's intoxication, which can of course be transposed to many other sports.

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Some (sporty) people might ask why smoke cannabis if running has the same effects. But others (less sporty) might wonder why running if smoking provides the same effects!

It's worth noting that exercise has physical benefits that cannabis does not 😉

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Aurélien BERNARD

Aurélien founded Newsweed in 2015. Particularly interested in international regulations and the various cannabis markets, he also has an extensive knowledge of the plant and its uses.