CBD at 50mg or 300mg Did Not Improve or Impair Running Performance in Trained Athletes

What the researchers found

In 25 trained runners, neither 50 mg nor 300 mg CBD taken 90 minutes before exercise altered affective valence, enjoyment, perceived exertion, pain, heart rate, VO2, VO2peak, or time to exhaustion compared to placebo. 300 mg CBD did decrease the respiratory exchange ratio during submaximal running, and 50 mg CBD increased post-exercise blood glucose. No effect on muscle damage markers.

Why it matters

Athletes increasingly use CBD for recovery and other health purposes. This rigorous trial provides reassurance that acute CBD use at common doses does not impair performance, while also finding no performance enhancement.

The numbers in context

25 participants, 16 male. VO2max: 53.1 mL/min/kg. Doses: 0, 50, 300 mg CBD. No effect on TTE, HR, VO2, RPE, pain, enjoyment, mood, or anxiety (all p>0.05). 300 mg decreased respiratory exchange ratio (p=0.030). 50 mg increased post-exercise glucose (p=0.003).

How the study worked

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. 25 trained runners (16 male, VO2max=53.1 mL/min/kg) received placebo, 50 mg, or 300 mg CBD 90 minutes before a 60-min submaximal treadmill run followed by an incremental run to exhaustion. Registered clinical trial (ACTRN12622000717752).

What this study cannot tell us

Acute single-dose design; chronic CBD use effects not assessed. Sample of trained runners may not generalize to other athletes or recreational exercisers. Three conditions in crossover design may not fully washout. The RER and glucose findings need replication.

How to read the evidence

Strong: well-designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with trained athletes and registered protocol.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, with trial conducted 2022-2024.

The bigger picture

This is one of the most rigorous studies on CBD and exercise performance to date. The null findings for performance and subjective experience are important: athletes can use CBD for other reasons (sleep, anxiety, recovery) without concerns about acute performance impairment.

Questions still open

• Does chronic CBD use affect exercise performance differently than acute use?
• What does the decreased respiratory exchange ratio mean physiologically?
• Could CBD's recovery benefits appear in days following exercise rather than during it?

Common questions

Read the original research

The Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on Physiological and Subjective Responses to Endurance Exercise: A Dose-Ranging Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial.

Sports medicine - open, 11(1), 96

Citation

Sahinovic, Ayshe; Lau, Namson S; Sabag, Angelo; Gordon, Rebecca; Cox, Amanda J; Walker, Katie; Irwin, Christopher; Desbrow, Ben; Johnson, Nathan; Austin, Paul J; Haber, Paul; McGregor, Iain S; McCartney, Danielle. (2025). The Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on Physiological and Subjective Responses to Endurance Exercise: A Dose-Ranging Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial.. Sports medicine - open, 11(1), 96. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00895-w

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