New study links cannabis use and increased physical activity

A recent study shows that medical cannabis «promotes greater physical activity» in people with chronic illnesses, and that «legal recreational cannabis promotes (even more) greater physical activity in people without chronic illnesses».

Cannabis and physical activity

The study of’Brigham Young University in Utah, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, analyzed data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2016 and 2022, covering adults aged 18 and over.

The researchers observed that U.S. states and territories that have legalized cannabis, In contrast, regions where cannabis remains illegal did not show the same positive correlation between use and physical activity. In contrast, regions where cannabis remains illegal did not show the same positive correlation between consumption and physical exercise.

As the report states, «the association between current cannabis use and physical activity is not significant in regions where cannabis is illegal».

In particular, the medical cannabis users suffering from chronic diseases reported higher activity levels than those who did not use cannabis.

This finding suggests that cannabis could help manage symptoms such as pain and inflammation, which could enable individuals to engage in more physical activity.

The study authors note: «It appears that cannabis use has some benefits for people with chronic illnesses, allowing them to be more physically active, perhaps because cannabis helps control pain and inflammation.»

The impact of recreational cannabis use on physical activity

The study's other finding is the link between the recreational use of cannabis and increased physical activity.

Recreational cannabis users in states where it is legal reported even higher levels of physical activity than medical cannabis users.

This may be because the recreational aspect of cannabis increases pleasure and concentration during exercise.

«When cannabis has been used to enhance the experience of physical activity, it may be to improve concentration and enjoyment, or to strengthen the mind-body connection and improve recovery by improving sleep quality and reducing pain,» says the study.

The authors add that while medical cannabis users did not report physical activity as the main reason for their cannabis use, «reduced physical activity in people with chronic diseases may be ameliorated in some cases by cannabis use».

The study is not the first to break the stereotype of the lazy cannabis consumer. Previous research, including a 2019 study by the’University of Colorado Boulder, revealed that more than 80% of those surveyed liked to combine cannabis use with their exercise routines. In 2021, two other studies also demonstrated a positive relationship between cannabis consumption and physical activity, further debunking the myths surrounding the use of cannabis. the myth of the lazy stoner.

Instead of encouraging sedentary behavior, cannabis - particularly in areas where it's legal - seems to encourage a more active lifestyle, which could improve public health outcomes in unexpected ways.