Fitter Adults With Depression Have Lower Endocannabinoid Levels in Their Blood
In 80 adults with diagnosed depression, higher cardiorespiratory fitness and jump performance were associated with lower plasma levels of endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 80 adults with mild-to-moderate depression, better cardiorespiratory fitness and jump performance were inversely associated with plasma levels of both main endocannabinoids: anandamide and 2-AG. These relationships persisted after adjusting for lean mass.
Key Numbers
80 adults with depression. CRF and AEA: beta -0.302 to -0.237. CRF and 2-AG: beta -0.308 to -0.326. Jump and AEA: beta -0.315 to -0.370. All p<0.05.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 80 adults ages 25-65 with mild-to-moderate depression (ICD-10). Physical fitness assessed via 6-Minute Walk Test, handgrip, arm curl, chair stand, and standing long jump. Fasting plasma endocannabinoids measured by LC-MS/MS.
Why This Research Matters
Exercise is known to help depression, and the endocannabinoid system has been proposed as a key mediator. This study provides direct data on the relationship between fitness and endocannabinoid levels in people with depression.
The Bigger Picture
Lower resting endocannabinoid levels in fitter people may reflect a more efficient or better-regulated endocannabinoid system, similar to how fitter people have lower resting heart rates.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional; cannot determine causation. Plasma levels may not reflect brain activity. Small sample. No comparison group without depression.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do fitter people have more efficient endocannabinoid systems?
- ?Would exercise interventions change endocannabinoid levels in depression?
- ?Are endocannabinoid levels a mediator or marker of fitness-related mood improvement?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Higher fitness = lower resting endocannabinoid levels in depression
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: small cross-sectional study with novel findings, cannot determine causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness with plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues in adults with diagnosed depression: SONRIE study.
- Published In:
- European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience (2025)
- Authors:
- Ruiz-Muñoz, Manuel, Ortega-Gómez, Sonia, Espinosa-Nogales, Maria Del Mar, de Lara, Eulalio Valmisa-Gómez, Rosety-Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel, España-Romero, Vanesa
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07530
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does exercise affect the endocannabinoid system in people with depression?
This study found fitter adults with depression had lower resting endocannabinoid levels, which may reflect a more efficiently regulated system.
Is the runner's high related to endocannabinoids?
The endocannabinoid system is believed to contribute to exercise-induced mood improvements. This study shows long-term fitness is associated with lower resting endocannabinoid levels, possibly reflecting a more responsive system.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07530APA
Ruiz-Muñoz, Manuel; Ortega-Gómez, Sonia; Espinosa-Nogales, Maria Del Mar; de Lara, Eulalio Valmisa-Gómez; Rosety-Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel; España-Romero, Vanesa. (2025). Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness with plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues in adults with diagnosed depression: SONRIE study.. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-025-02032-w
MLA
Ruiz-Muñoz, Manuel, et al. "Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness with plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues in adults with diagnosed depression: SONRIE study.." European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-025-02032-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitne..." RTHC-07530. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ruiz-munoz-2025-associations-of-cardiorespiratory-fitness
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.