An acute dose of CBD (300 mg) taken 2 h before a 2-mile run may potentially benefit runners in shorter distance competitions by increasing calm and relaxed feelings and reducing perceived effort at the halfway point without impairing performance or increasing gastrointestinal upset.
CBD treatment increased self-reported feelings of calm compared to placebo.
CBD treatment increased self-reported feelings of relaxation compared to placebo.
CBD treatment reduced rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the halfway point of the 2-mile run.
CBD treatment did not significantly affect 2-mile time trial run performance compared to placebo.
CBD treatment did not significantly affect gastrointestinal symptoms, blood pressure, or heart rate variability compared to placebo.
The study used a randomized, cross-over design administering 300 mg CBD or placebo capsules 2 hours before testing.
This research suggests that taking a 300 mg dose of cannabidiol (CBD) about two hours before a 2-mile run may make runners feel calmer and more relaxed, and may reduce how hard the run feels at the halfway point, without slowing them down or causing stomach problems. The study involved 12 recreational runners who completed the same test twice — once with CBD capsules and once with a placebo — allowing researchers to compare the effects directly within the same individuals. Participants reported feeling about 21% calmer and 22% more relaxed after taking CBD compared to placebo, and they rated their perceived effort about 8% lower at the one-mile mark during the CBD trial. Importantly, this research suggests that CBD did not hurt running performance, as finishing times were similar between the CBD and placebo conditions. It also did not cause significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate variability, or gastrointestinal discomfort — a common concern for runners. These findings are relevant given that CBD use among athletes is growing, particularly since it was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list. However, this was a small pilot study with only 12 participants, so the results should be interpreted cautiously. The authors themselves describe it as exploratory, and larger, more rigorous studies would be needed to confirm these findings and better understand how CBD might affect athletes across different distances, intensities, and populations.
Bell E, Elias B, Gutierrez S, Stewart L. (2026). The Effects of an Acute Dose of Cannabidiol on Health and Two-Mile Time Trial Performance-A Pilot Study.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010029