Study shows how marijuana can motivate you to exercise

Stoner stereotypes found across mainstream media and popular culture paint tend to paint cannabis users as lazy sloths ever only thinking about their next hit or round of munchies. We’ve long fought against these stereotypes despite their prevalence, showcasing ways cannabis can help you in the gym or types of marijuana that can suppress your appetite.

Using marijuana before working out actually “increases motivation” or “enhances recovery from exercise,” according to a new study from researchers at the University of Colorado. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health and focused on how those in legal states used cannabis in relation to exercise.

Researchers interviewed more than 600 cannabis consumers and found that nearly 500 participants endorsed using cannabis either an hour before their workout or four hours afterwards as recovery. Perhaps most surprising though was that when compared to non-users, cannabis consumers worked out 43 minutes longer while engaging in aerobic exercises and 30 minutes longer when doing anaerobic exercises.

Using marijuana before working out actually “increases motivation” or “enhances recovery from exercise,” according to a new study from researchers at the University of Colorado.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to survey attitudes and behavior regarding the use of cannabis before and after exercise, and to examine differences between cannabis users who engage in co-use, compared to those who do not,” wrote the study authors, according to Marijuana Moment. “Given both the spreading legalization of cannabis and the low rates of physical activity in the US, it behooves public health officials to understand the potential effects—both beneficial and harmful—of cannabis use on exercise behaviors.”

Among those who participated in the study, 70 percent agreed or strong agreed that “cannabis increases enjoyment of exercise.” In addition, more than 50 percent believe marijuana “increases motivation” while 78 percent said it “enhances recovery from exercise.”

These findings correspond with previous research that marijuana doesn’t make you lazy at all and reports that states with legalized cannabis tend to be the healthiest in the nation. So if you’re someone that believes marijuana is just for lazy stoners, you’re playing more into the stereotype than the available science.