A review found that while caffeine enhances exercise performance, THC is generally ergolytic (performance-impairing) despite being on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, with only theoretical performance benefits under specific circumstances.
Read this if you are an athlete or fitness enthusiast who uses cannabis and wants to understand its effects on performance.
THC impaired reaction time, motor coordination, strength, and cardiovascular response to exercise
What the researchers found
The review compared four commonly used drugs' effects on exercise performance. Caffeine had strong evidence as an ergogenic (performance-enhancing) aid. Nicotine had preliminary ergogenic evidence. Alcohol and THC were generally ergolytic (performance-impairing) but could theoretically enhance performance under specific circumstances.
THC was on the WADA prohibited list, yet the evidence suggested it impairs most performance measures: reduced reaction time, impaired motor coordination, decreased strength, and altered cardiovascular response to exercise. The theoretical ergogenic circumstances were limited to potential anti-anxiety effects that might benefit sports requiring calmness, and its role in recovery through pain and inflammation reduction.
Why it matters
The discrepancy between THC's prohibition by WADA and its actual performance-impairing effects raises questions about the rationale for its prohibition. If THC is ergolytic, athletes who use it are disadvantaging themselves, challenging the fairness-based argument for prohibition.
The numbers in context
Caffeine: ergogenic (strong evidence). Nicotine: potentially ergogenic (preliminary). THC: generally ergolytic, on WADA prohibited list. Alcohol: generally ergolytic. THC impairs: reaction time, motor coordination, strength, cardiovascular response.
How the study worked
Narrative review evaluating ergogenic and ergolytic evidence for caffeine, nicotine, ethanol, and THC. Examined mechanisms of action, physiological effects, and impact on recreational and elite sports performance.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review may not capture all relevant studies. THC effects vary by dose, timing, tolerance, and individual sensitivity. Most exercise-THC studies were conducted in non-athletes. The specific circumstances where THC might be ergogenic are theoretical rather than demonstrated. Chronic versus acute use may have different effects.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review of exercise physiology studies; moderate evidence for ergolytic effects of THC.
When this study was published
Published in 2013. WADA has since raised the THC testing threshold but kept it on the prohibited list.
The bigger picture
This review contributed to the ongoing debate about THC's place on the WADA prohibited list. The evidence suggests its prohibition is based more on social/legal considerations than on performance-enhancing potential, which is inconsistent with the stated purpose of anti-doping regulations.
Questions still open
- Should THC be removed from the WADA prohibited list? Could cannabinoids play a legitimate role in athletic recovery? Do elite athletes who use cannabis perform worse than those who do not? How does chronic cannabis use affect long-term athletic capacity?
Common questions
Does cannabis help or hurt athletic performance?
Why is THC on the anti-doping prohibited list if it hurts performance?
Read the original research
The effects of caffeine, nicotine, ethanol, and tetrahydrocannabinol on exercise performance.
Nutrition & metabolism, 10(1), 71
Citation
Pesta, Dominik H; Angadi, Siddhartha S; Burtscher, Martin; Roberts, Christian K. (2013). The effects of caffeine, nicotine, ethanol, and tetrahydrocannabinol on exercise performance.. Nutrition & metabolism, 10(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-10-71
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