# 40 Runners Smoked Cannabis Before Treadmill Test: Exercise Impact > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/acute-cannabis-exercise-effects-40-runners-treadmill-study/ > **Published:** 2026-04-09T13:33:25-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:26:35-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore acute cannabis exercise effects in 40 runners using treadmill tests to assess cardiovascular and performance impacts of smoked cannabis. --- ✦ New CED Clinical Relevance #72 Notable Clinical Interest Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. ResearchTHCSafety Clinical Summary This small experimental study examined the acute effects of cannabis smoking on exercise performance in 40 runners using treadmill testing as a controlled measure. The research appears to assess physiological and performance outcomes immediately following [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/), providing data on how smoked cannabis affects cardiovascular and metabolic responses during aerobic exercise. Such findings are clinically relevant for patients who use cannabis and engage in regular exercise, as well as for athletes in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal, who may want to understand performance implications. The study contributes to the limited evidence base on cannabis-exercise interactions, an area where many patients lack reliable information from their providers. Clinicians should be aware that cannabis use before exercise may impact performance metrics and cardiovascular stress responses, which could be particularly important when counseling patients with cardiac or metabolic conditions. Practitioners can use emerging evidence like this to provide more informed guidance to active patients who disclose concurrent cannabis use. Clinical Perspective While acute cannabis use impairs exercise performance through effects on cardiovascular response and motor coordination, the small sample size and lack of standardized dosing or strain specification in this experiment limit generalizability to clinical populations. The study design does not account for tolerance development, individual variation in cannabinoid metabolism, or the distinction between inhaled and other routes of administration, all of which substantially influence physiological outcomes. Notably, the summary’s reference to metformin appears disconnected from the cannabis-exercise question and suggests potential data quality issues with the source material. For clinicians counseling patients on exercise capacity or cardiovascular health, current evidence warrants advising against cannabis use before physical activity, particularly in those with underlying cardiac conditions, though individual risk assessment should consider frequency of use and route of administration. A straightforward clinical approach remains discussing these limitations transparently with patients who use cannabis regularly and asking about acute use timing before exercise to contextualize reported dyspnea πŸ’¬ Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan β†’](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion β†’](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-related-research/) Have thoughts on this? 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Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New research suggests cannabinoids like CBD and CBG may help improve fatty liver disease.](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-fatty-liver-clinical-relevance/) Explore emerging evidence on cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG and their potential benefits for [fatty liver disease](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-receptor-type-1-antagonist-obesity-steatohepatitis/) management. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-fatty-liver-clinical-relevance/) [What New Research Says About Cannabis And Testosterone](https://cedclinic.com/what-new-research-says-about-cannabis-and-testosterone/) Review recent studies examining the relationship between cannabis use and testosterone levels in clinical contexts. [Read Article](https://cedclinic.com/what-new-research-says-about-cannabis-and-testosterone/) [Cannabis could treat obesity and diabetes, study finds – leafie](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-could-treat-obesity-and-diabetes-study-finds-leafie/) Discover research findings on cannabis potential therapeutic roles in obesity and diabetes treatment. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-could-treat-obesity-and-diabetes-study-finds-leafie/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR Β§ 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR Β§ 46.104(d)(4).