THC cannabis impaired cycling performance regardless of whether it was smoked or vaped
Inhaling THC-containing cannabis reduced 20-minute cycling time trial power output whether smoked or vaporized, while CBD-only cannabis had no effect on exercise performance.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both smoked THC and vaporized THC significantly reduced mean power output during a 20-minute cycling time trial compared to control and CBD conditions. Heart rate was elevated during submaximal exercise with THC but not CBD. VO2 and perceived exertion were similar across all conditions during maximal exercise. CBD-dominant cannabis had no effect on any measure.
Key Numbers
14 participants (9 male, 5 female). THC cannabis: 15-30% total THC. Smoked and vaporized THC both reduced time trial power output vs. control and CBD. Heart rate elevated with THC during submaximal cycling. No effect from CBD on any exercise measure.
How They Did This
Semi-randomized crossover study with 14 participants (9 male, 5 female) aged 25-45. Four conditions: smoked THC, vaporized THC, vaporized CBD, and control. Exercise included submaximal cycling at 100W followed by a 20-minute all-out time trial on a cycle ergometer.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis becomes legal in more places, athletes and recreational exercisers increasingly ask whether it affects performance. This is one of the few controlled studies directly measuring exercise output after cannabis use, and it clearly shows THC impairs performance.
The Bigger Picture
The "cannabis and exercise" trend has gained popularity, with some athletes claiming cannabis improves their workouts. This study provides objective evidence that THC impairs maximal exercise performance, while CBD does not affect it positively or negatively.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size (n=14). Self-supplied cannabis with variable potency. Only cycling tested; other exercise types might differ. Acute effects only; chronic cannabis users might respond differently. No blood THC levels reported.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does THC impair performance in endurance sports differently than strength or power sports?
- ?Would regular cannabis-using athletes show less performance impairment due to tolerance?
- ?Is the elevated heart rate with THC a concern for cardiovascular safety during exercise?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- THC impaired performance regardless of smoking vs. vaping method
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-controlled crossover experiment with four conditions and objective performance measures. Limited by small sample size and self-supplied cannabis.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024 in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis containing THC impairs 20-min cycling time trial performance irrespective of the method of inhalation.
- Published In:
- Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 136(3), 583-591 (2024)
- Authors:
- Cheung, Christian P(4), Baker, Ryleigh E(2), Coates, Alexandra M(2), Burr, Jamie F
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05202
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis make you perform worse during exercise?
THC-containing cannabis reduced cycling power output in this study, whether smoked or vaporized. CBD-only cannabis had no effect on performance. The impairment was seen in maximal effort, not just submaximal exercise.
Does it matter if you smoke or vape cannabis before exercise?
No. Both smoking and vaporizing THC-containing cannabis produced similar reductions in cycling performance, suggesting the method of inhalation does not matter for the performance-impairing effects.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05202APA
Cheung, Christian P; Baker, Ryleigh E; Coates, Alexandra M; Burr, Jamie F. (2024). Cannabis containing THC impairs 20-min cycling time trial performance irrespective of the method of inhalation.. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 136(3), 583-591. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00757.2023
MLA
Cheung, Christian P, et al. "Cannabis containing THC impairs 20-min cycling time trial performance irrespective of the method of inhalation.." Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00757.2023
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis containing THC impairs 20-min cycling time trial pe..." RTHC-05202. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/cheung-2024-cannabis-containing-thc-impairs
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.