Studies of whole cannabis and THC show no performance benefits for strength or aerobic exercise, but CBD shows potential for aiding recovery through effects on sleep, pain, and mild traumatic brain injury.
Athletes considering cannabis products, sports medicine physicians, coaches, sports governing bodies
No evidence that cannabis enhances athletic performance
What the researchers found
Whole cannabis and THC generally show null or detrimental effects on exercise performance. THC can disrupt cardiovascular homeostasis, which may affect performance. CBD has been studied for recovery benefits, with promising findings for sleep quality, pain management, and mild traumatic brain injury.
Why it matters
With widespread athlete interest in cannabis products, especially CBD for recovery, this review provides an evidence-based framework for understanding what cannabinoids can and cannot do for athletic performance.
The numbers in context
THC and CBD are the two most abundant cannabis constituents; cardiovascular perturbation from THC may affect performance across exercise modalities
How the study worked
Critical review of literature on whole cannabis, THC, and CBD effects on athletic performance and recovery, covering strength, aerobic, and recovery-related outcomes.
What this study cannot tell us
Very few studies have examined cannabinoids specifically in athletic populations. Most performance data comes from non-athlete studies. CBD recovery research is in early stages. Optimal dosing for athletes is unknown.
How to read the evidence
Critical review limited by very few studies conducted specifically in athletic populations
When this study was published
Published in 2021. Research on cannabinoids in sports medicine is rapidly expanding.
The bigger picture
The distinction between THC (potentially detrimental to performance) and CBD (potentially helpful for recovery) is important for athletes and sports organizations navigating policies around cannabinoid use.
Questions still open
- Does CBD actually accelerate recovery or just improve perceived recovery? Could THC impair next-day athletic performance? Should sports anti-doping policies differentiate between THC and CBD?
Common questions
Does cannabis help or hurt athletic performance?
Can CBD help athletes recover?
Read the original research
Cannabis and Athletic Performance.
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 51(Suppl 1), 75-87
Citation
Burr, Jamie F; Cheung, Christian P; Kasper, Andreas M; Gillham, Scott H; Close, Graeme L. (2021). Cannabis and Athletic Performance.. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 51(Suppl 1), 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01505-x
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