# The effect of daily aerobic cycling exercise on cannabis withdrawal: An inpatient randomised controlled trial. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/aerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T23:16:20-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:00:22-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** New RCT shows aerobic exercise for cannabis withdrawal symptoms significantly reduces severity during first week of abstinence in hospitalized adults. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #70Notable Clinical Interest Evidence Brief | CED ClinicDaily aerobic cycling exercise reduced cannabis withdrawal severity in adults during a randomized inpatient trial. Cannabis WithdrawalExercise Therapy[Addiction Medicine](https://cedclinic.com/cognitive-flexibility-alcohol-cocaine-misuse-effects/)RctCessation Daily aerobic cycling exercise reduced cannabis withdrawal severity in adults during a randomized inpatient trial. What This Study Teaches Us This provides the first controlled evidence that structured aerobic exercise can meaningfully reduce [cannabis withdrawal symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-risk-clinical-evidence/) in humans. The inpatient setting allowed for controlled observation of withdrawal while eliminating confounding variables like continued [cannabis access](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-delivery-services-growth-dmv-jamaica/). Why This Matters Cannabis withdrawal affects up to 50% of regular users attempting cessation and contributes significantly to relapse risk. This study suggests a non-pharmacological intervention that could be readily integrated into treatment protocols. Study Snapshot Study Type Randomized Controlled Trial Population 46 adults with [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/), inpatient setting Intervention 35 minutes of daily aerobic cycling exercise Comparator Control condition (not specified in abstract) Primary Outcome Cannabis withdrawal symptom severity Key Finding Aerobic exercise reduced withdrawal symptom severity compared to control Journal Scientific Reports Year 2025 Clinical Bottom Line Supervised aerobic exercise appears to reduce cannabis withdrawal symptom severity in controlled settings. This intervention could serve as an adjunctive treatment for patients attempting cannabis cessation. What This Paper Does Not Show The abstract does not specify the control condition, duration of follow-up, or whether benefits persist after exercise cessation. It cannot demonstrate effectiveness in outpatient settings or real-world adherence rates. Where This Paper Deserves Skepticism The small sample size limits generalizability, and the inpatient setting may not reflect real-world feasibility. The abstract lacks details on withdrawal measurement tools, exercise intensity verification, or potential selection bias in participants willing to exercise during withdrawal. Dr. Caplan's Take I see this as promising preliminary evidence for what many clinicians have observed anecdotally. In my practice, I already recommend exercise for withdrawal management, but having controlled data strengthens that recommendation considerably, even with the study’s limitations. What a Careful Reader Should Take Away Aerobic exercise shows promise as an evidence-based adjunct for [cannabis withdrawal management](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-rescheduling-executive-order-clarification/). However, the optimal exercise prescription, long-term effectiveness, and applicability outside controlled settings remain unclear and warrant further investigation. 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Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20The%20effect%20of%20daily%20aerobic%20cycling%20exercise%20on%20cannabis%20withdrawal%3A%20An%20inpatient%20randomised%20control...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Faerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Faerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20The%20effect%20of%20daily%20aerobic%20cycling%20exercise%20on%20cannabis%20withdrawal%3A%20An%20inpatient%20randomised%20control...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Faerobic-exercise-cannabis-withdrawal-symptoms-rct-evidence%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Can exercise help reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms?](#Can_exercise_help_reduce_cannabis_withdrawal_symptoms) - [How much exercise is needed to see benefits during cannabis withdrawal?](#How_much_exercise_is_needed_to_see_benefits_during_cannabis_withdrawal) - [Should I recommend exercise therapy for patients experiencing cannabis withdrawal?](#Should_I_recommend_exercise_therapy_for_patients_experiencing_cannabis_withdrawal) - [Is exercise therapy for cannabis withdrawal supported by evidence from other substance use disorders?](#Is_exercise_therapy_for_cannabis_withdrawal_supported_by_evidence_from_other_substance_use_disorders) - [What are the practical considerations for implementing exercise therapy during cannabis withdrawal?](#What_are_the_practical_considerations_for_implementing_exercise_therapy_during_cannabis_withdrawal) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Can exercise help reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms? Yes, this randomized controlled trial demonstrated that daily 35-minute aerobic cycling sessions significantly reduced cannabis withdrawal severity in adults. The study provides the first evidence that structured aerobic exercise can be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing [cannabis withdrawal symptoms](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-risk-clinical-evidence/). #### How much exercise is needed to see benefits during cannabis withdrawal? The study used 35 minutes of daily aerobic cycling exercise in an inpatient setting. This specific duration and intensity of aerobic exercise showed measurable improvements in withdrawal symptom severity compared to control groups. #### Should I recommend exercise therapy for patients experiencing cannabis withdrawal? Based on this evidence, aerobic exercise appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment for [cannabis withdrawal management](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-rescheduling-executive-order-clarification/). However, clinicians should consider individual patient factors, physical capacity, and ensure proper supervision, especially given that this study was conducted in a controlled inpatient environment. #### Is exercise therapy for cannabis withdrawal supported by evidence from other substance use disorders? Yes, previous research has shown that aerobic exercise can reduce withdrawal symptoms from tobacco and other substances. This study extends that evidence base specifically to cannabis withdrawal, which had not been previously studied in a controlled trial setting. #### What are the practical considerations for implementing exercise therapy during cannabis withdrawal? This study was conducted in an inpatient setting with controlled conditions, which may limit generalizability to outpatient care. Clinicians should consider patient safety, motivation levels during withdrawal, and the need for structured supervision when recommending exercise interventions. 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