Apr 08th 2025

Cannabis and Athletic Performance: A Game-Changer for Athletes?

Athletes are always looking for any competitive edge they can get. From shaving legs to reduce drag to training in high altitudes to improve oxygen efficiency, any potential advantage could be a game-changer. As research continues, results are showing that cannabinoids may offer some benefits. Many athletes have discovered that cannabis and athletic performance are positively linked.

While cannabis products have long been associated with relaxation and pain relief, emerging research suggests that certain cannabinoids may also contribute to athletic performance. If you’re an athlete or simply hoping to get into better shape, here is some important information you should be aware of concerning medical marijuana and athletic performance.

What the Science Says About Cannabis and Athletic Performance

A lot of people believe that cannabis makes people lazy. That’s a myth. Elite athletes have been using it for years, and the results show that it’s simply not true. Fortunately, it’s not just anecdotal evidence or stories from individual sports stars that support this claim. What we already know about medical marijuana proves the benefits for athletes:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): THC is the psychoactive component of medical marijuana, and studies have shown that it can relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve focus. However, doses that are larger than recommended can cause drowsiness.
• Cannabidiol (CBD): CBD is non-psychoactive. Science shows that it has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which makes it ideal for athletes who want to recover faster without the “high” typically associated with THC.

The beneficial links between cannabis and athletic performance are not hypothetical. The science is sound. But since everyone’s physiology is unique, there’s just no “one-size-fits-all” approach to using cannabis for athletic benefits. Most of the time, people have to experiment with the various products available and evaluate dosing carefully. A little more or a little less can make a big difference.

What Are the Overall Benefits of Cannabis and Athletic Performance?

Looking at the science behind cannabis use is a great way to understand the established benefits. However, it doesn’t cover all the potential advantages. For example, one benefit of cannabis is improved sleep. That’s probably not something you think about when considering athletic benefits. But better sleep can improve almost anything you do.

Here are just a few of the ways medical marijuana can improve athletic performance:

• Pain management and muscle recovery: Overcoming muscle soreness and pain can help athletes persevere without using traditional painkillers.
• Improved sleep and recovery: Quality sleep is critical for athletic performance. CBN offers sleep enhancement without psychoactive effects, and the combination of THC and CBD can improve sleep for faster recovery.
• Stress and anxiety reduction: Medical marijuana can help regulate cortisol levels to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It could be helpful to reduce stress and worry before competitions.
• Enhanced focus and mind-muscle connection: Anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis helps athletes get into a “flow state” that deepens focus and improves the mind-body connection.

Enhancing athletic performance with medical marijuana doesn’t mean athletes experience a sudden burst of energy and stamina or an ability to break world records. It’s far more subtle since various mechanisms are involved and affect each individual differently. Just remember that, despite similarities, everyone’s body works differently. That’s the key to using medical marijuana safely and effectively.

How to Safely Use Medical Marijuana to Improve Athletic Performance

If you’re looking to enhance athletic performance with medical marijuana, you’ll discover tons of benefits. However, it’s essential to understand that risks exist. High doses can impair your motor skills and reaction times, and smoking cannabis can irritate your lungs and reduce cardiovascular endurance.

Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure you’re using cannabis in a way that improves your athletic ability while reducing potential side effects:

• Choose the correct ratio: CBD-dominant products can reduce inflammation and stress without psychoactive effects, and low-dose THC can offer pain relief and relaxation without impairing performance.
• Choose the best consumption method: Avoid smoking marijuana. Edibles and tinctures offer long-lasting effects for recovery, topicals provide localized relief, and oils allow for quick absorption without lung irritation.
• Usage based on time: Low-dose THC or CBD is best for focus and relaxation before a workout. Higher doses are good for muscle recovery and sleep after working out.

A point about timing: Consider avoiding cannabis immediately before competition. It can impair performance and, depending on the length of time since taking it, result in failed drug tests. With this in mind, enhancing athletic performance with medical marijuana isn’t about cheating; it’s about improving your health overall. The link between cannabis and athletic performance might be what changes everything for you.

Best yet, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. At Compassionate Clinics of America, our healthcare professionals can provide guidance on choosing the right product and the appropriate use of cannabis. Contact us today to speak with a qualified healthcare physician who can help you on your quest for improved health and athletic performance.