CBD Altered Exercise Physiology Without Hurting Performance in Trained Runners | Research

The takeaway

In a pilot RCT of 9 endurance-trained males, 300 mg oral CBD appeared to increase oxygen consumption, feelings of pleasure during running, and VO2max without affecting time to exhaustion.

Sports scientists; athletes considering CBD; anti-doping researchers.

CBD increased pleasure during exercise and reduced post-exercise IL-6

What the researchers found

CBD appeared to increase VO2 during steady-state running, ratings of pleasure, and blood lactate. During the incremental test, CBD appeared to increase VO2max and respiratory exchange ratio. No differences in time to exhaustion, heart rate, or perceived exertion. CBD reduced post-exercise IL-6 concentrations.

Why it matters

Athletes are increasingly using CBD for recovery and performance. This is among the first controlled studies examining CBD's acute effects on exercise physiology, finding it changes metabolic responses without impairing performance.

The numbers in context

9 participants, VO2max 57.4 mL/min/kg. CBD dose: 300 mg oral. VO2 increased during steady-state running. Pleasure ratings increased. VO2max appeared higher (+119 mL/min). RERmax increased. IL-6 reduced post-exercise. No differences in time to exhaustion or heart rate.

How the study worked

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study. 9 endurance-trained males (mean VO2max 57.4 mL/min/kg) completed two sessions: 60 min at 70% VO2max followed by an incremental test to exhaustion. 300 mg oral CBD or placebo given 1.5 hours before exercise.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample (9 males). Pilot study with wide confidence intervals. Effects assessed using effect sizes rather than traditional significance testing. Only one CBD dose tested. Acute dosing may not reflect chronic use patterns.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: randomized crossover design but only 9 participants in a pilot study.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The increased pleasure during exercise and reduced inflammatory markers align with CBD's known anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. If confirmed in larger studies, CBD could be relevant for exercise adherence (via enjoyment) and recovery (via inflammation reduction).

Questions still open

Would chronic CBD use produce different exercise effects than acute dosing? Does CBD benefit recreational exercisers differently than trained athletes? Is the increased VO2 reflecting a metabolic shift or reduced exercise efficiency?

Common questions

Does CBD improve athletic performance?

This pilot study found CBD did not improve endurance (time to exhaustion was unchanged) but appeared to increase oxygen consumption and exercise enjoyment. It also reduced a marker of post-exercise inflammation. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Is CBD banned in sports?

CBD was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list in 2018. However, many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which remains prohibited. Athletes should verify product purity.

Read the original research

Effects of Cannabidiol on Exercise Physiology and Bioenergetics: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial.

Sports medicine - open, 8(1), 27

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Sahinovic, Ayshe; Irwin, Christopher; Doohan, Peter T; Kevin, Richard C; Cox, Amanda J; Lau, Namson S; Desbrow, Ben; Johnson, Nathan A; Sabag, Angelo; Hislop, Matthew; Haber, Paul S; McGregor, Iain S; McCartney, Danielle. (2022). Effects of Cannabidiol on Exercise Physiology and Bioenergetics: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial.. Sports medicine - open, 8(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00417-y