sativa
indica
November 26, 2025
What is Green Wednesday?
Motivation is one of the key differentiators between those who have developed regular exercise routines and those who struggle to meet their health and fitness goals. For some exercise enthusiasts, motivation comes naturally or from an internal source. However, others have begun turning to external substances to find that motivation.
Researchers are exploring the potential motivational effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive compound in cannabis, on motivation. At the same time, individuals around the world have already incorporated THC into their exercise routines and attest to its beneficial effects.
Some enthusiasts report that consuming THC before exercise increases their motivation to work out, potentially leading to longer and more intense exercise sessions. Others report that cannabis helps them enjoy exercise more, inherently increasing motivation for the next workout session.
Examining the science behind these anecdotes is important for helping consumers understand how THC might impact their own motivation and performance, allowing them to make informed decisions about including THC in their exercise regimens.
This paper examines three pressing questions: Does THC enhance exercise motivation and performance? What does existing research show, and what remains unanswered? It explores the potential benefits and disadvantages of THC on exercise motivation, addresses common misconceptions, and examines the current research.
Before examining THC's relationship with exercise, it's important to clarify common misconceptions about hemp-derived cannabinoids and their legal status. Some states have legalized recreational marijuana use, enabling adults to purchase a range of cannabis products through licensed dispensaries. Others, like Texas, mirror the legislation of the 2018 Farm Bill, which permits the distribution of hemp and hemp-derived products, but not marijuana.
While recreational marijuana is not legal in Texas, hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and products that contain them at compliant Delta-9 concentrations are.
Despite legal distinctions between “marijuana” and “hemp,” both come from the same plant species: Cannabis sativa. The difference is solely based on the delta-9 THC concentration in the plant. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp, defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, is legal to grow, sell, and possess.
This legal framework has enabled the development of hemp-derived products that contain other naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as CBD, delta-8, and THCV. These compounds don’t have a concentration limit under the Farm Bill.
However, hemp-derived delta-9 also enjoys the same federally legal status. Delta-9 is the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis. The molecules of hemp-derived and marijuana-derived Delta-9 are chemically identical and interact with the human endocannabinoid system in fundamentally similar ways.
The distinction between them is legislative, not scientific. For purposes of understanding physiological effects on exercise performance and motivation, THC functions the same regardless of source plant classification.
Cannabis contains over 100 identified cannabinoids, each with distinct properties:
Many users report synergistic effects when multiple cannabinoids are present (the “entourage effect”), though this remains an area requiring rigorous study.
This discussion focuses specifically on plant-extracted cannabinoids, not synthetic compounds. Products marketed as 'K2' or 'Spice,' which are synthetic cannabinoids with unpredictable and dangerous effects, are categorically different substances and outside the scope of this analysis.
The absence of federal regulation for hemp-derived THC products creates significant quality variability in the market. Reputable manufacturers employ third-party testing for:
Consumers and researchers should distinguish between tested, plant-derived products and unregulated or synthetic alternatives when evaluating safety and efficacy.
Before exploring how THC affects motivation, it is also important to understand the scientific processes behind motivation. Several steps happen between desiring to achieve something and actual achievement, each of which pertains to motivation.
Activation is the decision to initiate a behavior. For exercising, activation might mean putting on workout clothes or driving to the gym.
Persistence is the continual effort toward a goal despite any obstacles present. Someone with a goal of exercising regularly might need to persist through fatigue, muscle soreness, or the compulsion to prioritize more enjoyable tasks.
Intensity is the vigor and concentration required to pursue a goal. For natural athletes or those who have already incorporated exercise into their routines, working out may require minimal intensity. For someone new to exercise, greater intensity may be needed.
Many individuals face difficulties at each of these steps, despite their desire to adopt a consistent exercise routine.
Two distinct types of motivation lead individuals to pursue goals: extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation comes from an outside force, such as an exercise coach who checks in with a gymgoer weekly to hold them accountable to their goals. Intrinsic motivation is driven by someone’s personal desire to better themself.
Intrinsic motivation often is not strong enough to maintain activation, persistence, and the required intensity to achieve the task. This is why many turn to natural ingredients, such as THC, to increase their sense of motivation.
How THC enhances motivation for many enthusiasts
For some cannabis enthusiasts, THC has become an important tool for boosting workout motivation. Many individuals report that consuming cannabis before exercise provides the motivational trigger they need to transition from intention to action, transforming the desire to work out into an actual workout session.
THC interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, energy, and motivation. When cannabis enthusiasts consume THC, many experience a sense of euphoria and well-being that can translate into increased motivation for physical activity. This natural boost helps bridge the gap between wanting to exercise and actually starting.
Cannabis connoisseurs frequently share that THC helps them approach exercise with a more positive mindset. The sense of calm and contentedness that many people experience can make the prospect of working out feel less daunting and more enjoyable. For those who typically struggle with exercise motivation, this psychological shift can be transformational.
Every person's endocannabinoid system is unique, which means cannabis affects individuals differently. While many enthusiasts report enhanced motivation and focus, others may experience different effects. Some find that cannabis helps them feel more relaxed and contemplative, which might be perfect for yoga or light stretching but less ideal for high-intensity workouts.
The method of consumption, timing, and amount of THC all influence how someone experiences its effects on motivation. Many enthusiasts find that starting with a small amount allows them to assess how cannabis impacts their personal exercise experience and adjust accordingly.
Historically, theories about a potential link between long-term cannabis use and decreased motivation circulated. New research has sought to understand whether these theories are factual or largely founded on preconceived biases about cannabis use.
A 2019 systematic review published in the Psychology of Addictive Behavior analyzed 22 studies examining the non-acute effects of cannabis use on motivation, effort, apathy, and reward sensitivity. The researchers found only partial support for a causal link between cannabis use and reduced motivation.
Other research has explored whether long-term cannabis use affects motivation, though findings remain inconclusive and often contradictory. While certain studies suggest potential changes in motivation with extended use, others show no effect or even increased motivation among regular users.
According to anecdotal evidence and user reports, many long-term cannabis enthusiasts report sustained or enhanced motivation for their fitness routines. A study conducted by Imperial College London examined reduced dopamine levels in cannabis users, though its findings represent just one perspective in an ongoing scientific debate. Notably, contrasting research and real-world observations suggest that many long-term users maintain or even enhance their motivation levels, particularly when cannabis is incorporated thoughtfully into a wellness routine.
Still, the data is mixed. One 2024 study surveyed frequent cannabis users, or those who use cannabis five times per day over seven days. Very frequent users reported higher levels of motivation than less frequent users, though they also reported less self-control and willpower.
Based on extensive observations and feedback from countless enthusiasts, the relationship between long-term THC use and motivation appears highly individual and context-dependent. Many dedicated fitness enthusiasts in the cannabis community have been incorporating it into their routines for years while maintaining exceptional motivation and achieving their fitness goals.
The key seems to be mindful consumption, understanding one’s personal response, and using cannabis as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, intrinsic motivation.
Significant research has sought to analyze the link between THC and a user’s motivation levels. In April 2019, researchers asked cannabis users directly about how the plant impacted various aspects of their exercise behavior.
Researchers from the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience and the Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder surveyed 600 adult cannabis users living in states with full legal access. The results showed that approximately 81.7% of participants supported enjoying cannabis concurrently with exercise.
Specifically, these individuals reported consumption within an hour of starting to exercise or within four hours of ending a workout. Post-exercise use was slightly more common than pre-workout THC use.
The users who endorsed concurrent use of cannabis and exercise reported two important sentiments: they engaged in more minutes of exercise per week than those who did not co-use; specifically, 2.5 hours per week compared to less than two hours. They also reported that co-use enhanced their enjoyment of and recovery from exercise.
Relating back to motivation, approximately half of the users who combine cannabis with exercise reported that it increases their motivation to exercise.
When evaluating any sort of trend data, it is important to consider correlational effects that may explain trends instead of causation. At the time this survey was conducted, marijuana was only legal in five states: Colorado, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington. These states are also some of the most physically active states in the U.S. The results of the survey may be different in 2025, when recreational cannabis use is legal in 24 states.
A different survey of 42 adult cannabis users who are also runners, published in December 2023 in the journal “Sports Medicine,” led to similar findings. Participants reported more enjoyment, a more positive affect, and more noticeable “runner’s high” symptoms during cannabis exercise appointments, compared to non-cannabis exercise. They also reported more exertion.
Aside from official surveys and reports, cannabis users around the world have taken to social media to share the benefits they have seen from using THC before or after exercise. A recent Instagram discussion about THC and workouts generated insights from various fitness enthusiasts who shared their experiences. Followers commented with their own insights:
Reddit users have also shared their experiences using THC while working out:
While anecdotal, these comments represent a shared sentiment among enthusiasts that combining cannabinoids and exercise may have positive effects on motivation, performance, and other aspects of working out.
Still, it is important to note that not everyone has the same experience. For some, THC puts them in a state of Zen, where they want to relax instead of working out. The method of consumption chosen, the amount consumed, and unique physiology all have an impact on one’s experience.
Research suggests that the benefits of cannabis for exercise may extend far beyond motivation. THC consumption has become a pre-workout ritual for many; as noted by several social media users in the previous section, microdosing or enjoying a moderate serving of THC has become integral to their every workout.
Research over the past few decades has sought to understand the multifaceted impact of cannabinoids on sports performance. In many cases, results across the board are inconclusive. But certain findings suggest that THC may improve how users feel before, during, and after exercise, along with the level of intensity and focus they maintain during a workout session.
One of the potential applications of cannabis that has received considerable interest among the medical community is for general relief. Many people enjoy THC for relief, though individual experiences vary in cases where opioids are not recommended. (Still, modern prescribing practices are complex due to legal restrictions.)
According to Harvard Health Publishing, the use of cannabis among those aged 65 and older has increased by 8 times in recent years, and as many as 80% of these individuals use it to manage and treat pain.
Exercise is one of many activities that can cause pain in one’s daily life. The buildup of lactic acid during intense activity can lead to an immediate “burning” sensation. The process of building muscle requires microscopic tears to form in the muscles, often leading to both immediate and delayed soreness. Meanwhile, cardiovascular exercise can lead to sharp lung pain.
Pain is therefore one of the major reasons individuals lack motivation to exercise. The same article from Harvard Health Publishing suggests that THC may bind to specific receptors on the brain and nerve cells, slowing pain impulses.
For athletes, this may mean that using THC before working out helps them exercise with greater intensity or for longer periods while experiencing less pain. Or it may help increase motivation prior to working out, grounded in the belief that the workout will be less painful due to the THC consumption.
While plenty of anecdotal evidence points to a connection between THC use and pain relief, more research is needed to prove this causal link.
Many cannabis users have also reported pre-workout benefits pertaining to the mind-muscle connection. This is the conscious awareness and control an athlete has over a specific muscle group, allowing them to engage and contract that group more effectively. Intentionally focusing on a targeted muscle group could allow athletes to activate more muscle fibers during exercise, though achieving this effect is generally described as challenging.
For some, THC consumption prior to working out helps promote a “flow state,” allowing for heightened mindfulness or feeling more “in tune” with one’s body. This “flow state” has been studied by psychologists as a state of optimal focus, productivity, and complete absorption in a task.
Athletes seek to enter a flow state when exercising specific muscle groups, and THC may help one achieve that flow state. One study, published in the journal “Consciousness and Cognition,” examined the effects of delta-9 THC on consciousness. Researchers surveyed 25 healthy, infrequent cannabis users, finding that THC increased ratings of insightfulness and mindfulness.
Anecdotal reports underscore the idea that cannabis may help strengthen the perceived mind-muscle connection and state of flow. Whether or not performance is enhanced, this heightened psychological state adds to one’s intrinsic motivation.
Many individuals dislike exercise, which contributes to the lack of motivation to work out. But some individuals experience greater enjoyment when they microdose cannabis before workouts. This is partially due to the effects of THC on dopamine receptors; using cannabis may lead to a dopamine rush that feels pleasurable.
Cannabis is commonly associated with feelings of euphoria, or an intense sense of happiness, elation, and overall well-being. These feelings are primarily due to the interactions of THC on the body’s endocannabinoid system. It has long been understood that psychoactive cannabinoids produce euphoria in humans. A 2021 neuroimaging study suggests that this effect occurs because the THC in cannabis turns off the continuous inhibition of dopamine neurons.
It can be assumed that those who experience euphoria after consuming cannabis would also feel more positive emotions when working out or completing virtually any other task while experiencing cannabis effects. Some users view THC as a motivational aid to accomplish tasks that they would otherwise find boring or unenjoyable, especially exercise.
While some enthusiasts enjoy cannabis before working out to motivate them or pursue performance-enhancing benefits, a 2019 study indicates that post-exercise consumption may be even more common. One reason athletes might use THC after a workout is to improve exercise recovery.
Exercise recovery is the process of returning the body to a rested, normal state after strenuous activity. It involves tissue repair, fluid replenishment, and an overall restoration of homeostasis throughout bodily systems. Recovery is a key component of maintaining a regular exercise schedule.
A 2023 survey of 111 regular cannabis users found that 93% of participants felt that CBD assisted their exercise recovery, while 87% of participants felt the same regarding THC. While surveys can highlight actual experiences surrounding THC use, it is also important to examine the science behind why THC users may feel a certain way.
The same survey explains that cannabis may enhance recovery from aerobic and resistance exercise due to the anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects of cannabinoids like CBD. According to another study, various cannabinoids influence the body’s cytokine response, which is an integral component of the immune system. Decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines may reduce overall inflammation in the body.
Excessive or prolonged inflammation can increase discomfort, hinder tissue repair, and prolong muscle weakness, which is why decreasing inflammation is crucial during exercise recovery. Sleep is another critical process for recovery. It allows the body to repair muscle tissue, regulate hormones, and restore energy levels. Deep sleep releases growth hormone, which is important for muscle growth and repair. Adequate sleep also helps to replenish glycogen stores, which are the energy source the body uses during intense exercise.
Many individuals enjoy cannabis as a sleep aid, though evidence of its effectiveness for sleep is mixed. Research indicates that THC helps users fall asleep faster, but further evidence is necessary to determine how it impacts sleep quality.
Runners often report experiencing a “runner’s high” sensation during and after exercise. This has been described as a feeling of calm, euphoria, and reduced pain sensitivity. While researchers once attributed the “runner’s high” to a release of endorphins, new research suggests that it is actually the release of endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring lipid molecules that are part of the endocannabinoid system. They help maintain homeostasis by regulating bodily functions like mood, sleep, appetite, inflammation, and pain sensations.
THC directly affects the endocannabinoid system by binding to the CB1 cannabinoid receptors, found throughout the brain and body. This interaction disrupts the endocannabinoid system’s natural signaling, which is one of the primary ways THC produces its effects on mood, pain, appetite, and other functions.
Not everyone naturally experiences the runner’s high, and its effects can vary throughout periods of long exercise. As a result, some athletes have begun using THC as a way to incite that feeling of euphoria to push through long or arduous workouts.
A PhD student in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder sought to understand this trend. She interviewed ultramarathon runner Heather Mashhoodi about her relationship with cannabis and running habits.
Heather reported that when her enthusiasm begins to wane mid-run, she takes half of an infused gummy. She stated, “When I run for a really long time, this thing naturally kicks in and it makes the colors brighter and makes my thoughts clearer and makes me more emotionally in tune. When I use cannabis and run, I get to feel that at a little less intense mileage.”
Further research is needed to determine whether Heather’s routine represents a more widespread phenomenon among runners and athletes of similar endurance levels. But one shared sentiment appears to be that THC can help some athletes push through difficult periods of workouts.
The potential benefits of microdosing THC for performance, motivation, and recovery are widespread, leading many gymgoers to incorporate the plant into their routines. The ever-shifting perception of cannabis has also contributed to this change.
In the past, athletes were often wary of using THC before a workout due to unforeseen effects on their performance. They also feared being viewed differently by the athletic community or penalized for using what was once classified as a “performance enhancer.”
Today, cannabis consumption has become much more accepted among the athletic community. More and more fitness enthusiasts have begun integrating it into their routines and sharing their experiences on social media and forums.
The intersection of cannabis and gym culture has even developed a nickname: “Cannafit.” While this term has several applications, it generally points to the use of cannabis within a healthy lifestyle.
Over the past decade, cannabis gyms have also been introduced in legal states throughout the U.S. The first gym of its kind opened in California in 2017, giving clients the option to bring their own cannabis or order edibles while working out at the facility. The owner emphasized that the facility isn’t a “stoner gym,” but instead keeps the focus on fitness.
Times have changed since 2017, and today, fitness enthusiasts do not need to go to cannabis gyms to enjoy a workout experience while high. It isn’t uncommon for gymgoers in any of the legal states to take an edible in the locker room before starting their workout. Whether athletes are taking THC for muscle recovery or using cannabis as an energy boost before a workout, THC is slowly becoming a normal and accepted element of gym culture.
Mixing THC with exercise has been beneficial for some athletes, but for others, it isn’t effective. Athletes and everyday people should consider the potential disadvantages of THC on exercise before deciding whether to incorporate it into their fitness routines. Individual experiences can vary, and it may take some trial and error to determine whether cannabis is beneficial for their exercise (and if so, what consumption method and dosage).
THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which controls many bodily processes. Everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique, however. While some people may notice better focus and motivation when consuming THC before exercise, others experience impaired balance and coordination that impacts their ability to exercise safely.
The CB1 receptors THC interacts with are highly concentrated within the brain, so the compound may affect regions responsible for motor control and perception. Some users may experience an increased risk of falling, changes in gait, clumsiness, and a short-term reduction in coordination.
The amount of THC a person consumes will affect how severely their coordination and balance are impacted. For those interested in assessing the effects of THC on their exercise experiences, starting with a low dose may be recommended.
THC may also impact the cardiovascular system, which is activated during certain forms of exercise. Research suggests that THC causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, though the effects are acute and dependent on dosage. Exercise also temporarily raises heart rate and blood pressure. With both factors impacting the body simultaneously, the cardiovascular response could be elevated to a potentially unsafe level for some people.
The risk of adverse cardiovascular effects from THC use and exercise may be higher for those with pre-existing heart conditions. Speaking with a medical professional before trying THC may be preferable.
Participants in organized sports should be mindful not to violate the terms and requirements of their sports. Many sports, particularly at the international level, prohibit athletes from having THC in their system while competing. For casual gymgoers, this should not be an issue.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some individuals have seen positive effects when combining THC with exercise, with benefits pertaining to motivation, exercise recovery, and more. These user reports, combined with preliminary research, form a basis for a phenomenon that warrants further scientific investigation to verify.
Research institutions, sports medicine organizations, and funding bodies must prioritize controlled studies that investigate the effects of THC on exercise. Future research should examine objective performance measures, the mechanisms underlying reported exercise benefits, and long-term effects rather than basing guidance on anecdotal evidence alone.
Until then, individuals considering THC for exercise may wish to consult their healthcare providers before proceeding, start with low doses, and only use products with verified third-party testing and published COAs.
