As the fitness world continues to evolve, many people are exploring different ways to enhance their exercise routines. For some, that means mixing a runner’s high with a different kind of high—smoking weed. Whether you’re a yogi, a gym regular, or someone who enjoys an early morning jog, there’s growing curiosity about the impact of using cannabis while working out. While it might seem unconventional, there are several reasons people turn to weed before or after exercising. But what actually happens to your body when you combine these two activities? Let’s break it down.

The Relationship Between Weed and Exercise

Can smoking weed improve your workout? According to experts, marijuana may not directly boost athletic performance, but it can play a surprising role in enhancing your overall exercise experience. Dr. Gary Starr, MD, medical director at FOCUS, suggests that cannabis may reduce the body’s inflammation response after intense physical activity, helping to alleviate muscle soreness. While weed might not make you run faster or lift heavier, it can make working out more enjoyable, encouraging you to exercise more consistently.

How Weed Affects Your Mind During a Workout

One of the main reasons people turn to cannabis before a workout is to shift their mindset. Let’s face it—sometimes it’s hard to get in the right headspace to hit the gym. This is where weed can help. Yoga instructor and body positivity advocate Jessamyn Stanley says that using cannabis can help you get out of your head and into the flow of your workout. For many, it’s a way to combat the mental fatigue that often comes with maintaining a regular exercise routine. Instead of focusing on the difficulty of the workout, cannabis users may find themselves more engaged and less anxious about the physical effort.

A 2017 study in Sports Medicine supported this, showing that mental fatigue can make workouts feel harder. If your brain is telling you the workout is tough, it’s easy to lose motivation. However, by incorporating weed, some people experience less mental resistance and find that they can stay in the zone for longer periods.

Cannabis Can Make Exercise More Enjoyable

Let’s talk about enjoyment—after all, that’s what keeps many of us coming back to our fitness routines. A survey published in Nature found that 70% of people who used cannabis before or after exercising said it made the workout more enjoyable. When you’re in a better mood, working out doesn’t feel like such a chore. The short-term mood-boosting effects of marijuana can make a significant difference in how much you enjoy physical activity. Whether you’re lifting weights, running, or practicing yoga, being present and savoring the experience can improve the quality of your workout.

Does Weed Help You Work Out Longer?

According to the same Nature survey, people who combined weed with exercise spent more time working out than those who didn’t. While there’s still a lot of research to be done in this area, the theory is that when you enjoy what you’re doing, you naturally want to do it more. It’s not that cannabis is giving you a physical edge, but it might be helping you stay more motivated and focused during your workout, leading to longer sessions.

However, not everyone benefits equally from this combination. Some individuals reported increased heart rates and even felt too high to continue exercising. This is a known side effect of cannabis, particularly its ability to cause tachycardia (an elevated heart rate), which could pose risks for those with underlying heart conditions. As with anything, it’s crucial to listen to your body and understand your limits.

Potential Risks: Heart Rate and Hydration Concerns

While there are potential benefits to using cannabis during workouts, it’s important to be aware of the risks. One of the most significant concerns is the effect of weed on heart rate. Cannabis can cause an increase in heart rate, which isn’t always ideal when you’re already putting your body under physical strain. Dr. Starr warns that for people with preexisting heart conditions, this could lead to complications.

Hydration is another factor to consider. Cannabis can affect your body’s ability to manage glucose metabolism, which increases the need for hydration. As Meryl Montgomery, co-founder of cannabis startup Barbari, explains, staying hydrated is critical when working out while high. Make sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can be a risk when combining cannabis with exercise.

Finding the Right Dosage for Your Body

One of the biggest keys to successfully mixing weed with exercise is figuring out the right dosage. Start small. If you’re new to using cannabis while working out, ease into it by testing how your body reacts. You might find that a smaller dose of THC helps you stay relaxed and focused without feeling too high to complete your workout. If THC tends to make you too spaced out, you could try adding some CBD to the mix. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce a high, but it can still help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm during exercise.

Kendra Freeman, president of business development at Mendi, a CBD company for athletes, suggests experimenting with different combinations to find what works best for your body. Whether it’s a low dose of THC or a mix of THC and CBD, figuring out your ideal balance will help you get the most out of your workout without overdoing it.

Is It Right for You? Listening to Your Body’s Signals

Ultimately, whether or not you should combine weed with your workout routine comes down to how your body responds. Some people love it and find that it enhances their exercise experience, while others may struggle with the side effects. If you’re interested in giving it a try, the key is to start small, stay aware of your body’s signals, and prioritize safety.

If you feel lightheaded or too high to continue, it’s a sign to stop. Pay close attention to your hydration levels and heart rate, especially during more intense wo

Conclusion: Should You Smoke Weed Before You Work Out?

So, what happens when you smoke weed and work out? While marijuana may not directly improve athletic performance, it can make exercise more enjoyable, help you stay in the moment, and reduce mental fatigue. If used responsibly, it can be a tool to help you stay motivated and engaged in your fitness routine. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential risks, like increased heart rate and dehydration, and to find the right dosage that works for your body.

Remember, the combination of weed and exercise is not for everyone, so it’s important to listen to your body and know your limits. For some, it can be a game-changer. For others, it might be best to keep the two activities separate. Either way, the most important thing is to find what helps you stay active and healthy.