Exploring the Link Between Cannabis and Physical Activity
A significant new study has revealed that adults who use cannabis tend to engage in more physical activity, particularly light activities, than those who don’t use the substance. Surprisingly, the study found no evidence that cannabis use leads to increased sedentary behavior when compared to non-users.
This research is part of a growing body of evidence that contradicts the stereotype of cannabis users being lazy. In fact, the study found that individuals who use cannabis daily are 4% more likely to engage in light physical activities.
Published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (Xue, 2024), this study is the most comprehensive of its kind, involving 4,666 adults aged 18 to 59. Participants wore wrist-worn devices, similar to FitBits, that monitored their physical activity levels continuously. The study also incorporated self-reported data on cannabis use over the previous 30 days.
By analyzing these data points, researchers were able to determine whether cannabis use was associated with changes in sedentary behavior, light physical activity, or moderate to vigorous activity. The study also accounted for other variables that might influence the results, such as the use of other substances like alcohol, and various socioeconomic and medical factors.
Cannabis Use Associated with Higher Activity Levels
The findings are clear: cannabis use does not lead to an increase in sedentary behavior. On the contrary, cannabis users were more likely to participate in light physical activities than those who do not use the substance.
The study found no significant differences in sleep duration or in moderate to vigorous physical activity levels between cannabis users and non-users. However, when the researchers broke down the data by age groups (18-39 years old and 40-59 years old), some intriguing patterns emerged.
Younger cannabis users (18-39 years old) were more likely to be physically active, while the older group (40-59 years old) showed no significant differences in physical activity or sedentary behavior when compared to non-users. These results suggest that cannabis might encourage light physical activity in younger adults without affecting the activity levels of those in middle age.
Frequent Cannabis Users Are More Active
The study also looked into how the frequency of cannabis use impacted physical activity levels. The results were unexpected—frequent cannabis users were more physically active than those who used cannabis occasionally. In fact, frequent users were more likely to engage in activities like hiking than their occasional-user counterparts.
This finding contradicts the persistent stereotype that cannabis users are lazy. The researchers propose that frequent users might have developed a higher tolerance and integrated cannabis into their daily routines in a way that supports, rather than hinders, their physical activity.
Understanding the Motivations Behind Cannabis Use
While these findings are promising, the study did have some limitations. For instance, it relied on self-reported cannabis use, which could introduce biases. Additionally, the study didn’t explore the reasons behind cannabis use. People use cannabis for a variety of purposes—some use it to manage conditions that limit physical activity, while others use it as a way to enhance their exercise routine.
Many customers at Herb Approach report that consuming cannabis motivates them to stretch, garden, or simply move around more. And why not? It’s clear that cannabis doesn’t have to be associated with laziness.
Dispelling the Myth of Cannabis-Induced Laziness
The myth that cannabis use leads to laziness has been perpetuated for decades, largely driven by anti-drug campaigns that portrayed cannabis users as unmotivated and sluggish. Remember those old DARE ads where cannabis supposedly turned a girl into a couch potato? It’s time to leave that outdated image behind.
This new research helps to create a more accurate understanding of how cannabis use impacts physical activity levels. While a sedentary lifestyle is linked to a variety of negative health outcomes, including cancer, diabetes, and obesity, the evidence suggests that cannabis use does not necessarily contribute to these risks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study shows that cannabis use is associated with increased light physical activity, particularly among younger adults. Whether you’re a daily user or someone who enjoys cannabis occasionally, there’s no evidence to suggest that it will leave you stuck on the couch.
At Herb Approach, we’re committed to helping you find the right strains and products to fit your lifestyle. So why not explore our selection and discover how cannabis can enhance your activity levels? Let’s break the stereotype and prove that cannabis users are anything but lazy.
