# The Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on Physiological and Subjective Responses to Endurance Exercise: A Dose-Ranging Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/research/cbd-for-exercise-randomized-controlled-trial/
> **Published:** 2026-10-23T09:59:17-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-10-31T05:31:35-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** This study looked at how cannabidiol (CBD), a compound from cannabis plants, affects athletes during endurance exercise.

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Background: Athletes use cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating constituent of Cannabis sativa L., to enhance recovery and manage other conditions, but whether CBD influences performance-related outcomes remains unclear. This study investigated the acute effects of a low (50 mg) and moderate (300 mg) dose of CBD on physiological and subjective responses to endurance exercise in trained runners. Results: A randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted at the University of Sydney between 24 October 2022 and 4 March 2024. Twenty-five participants (16 male; VO2max = 53.1 ± 7.5 mL·min·kg−1) received 0 (placebo), 50 or 300 mg CBD 1.5 h prior to a 60-min submaximal treadmill run followed by an incremental run to volitional exhaustion. Neither dose altered subjective responses during the submaximal run, or enjoyment, mood or anxiety after exercise (p’s > 0.05). CBD had limited effects on exercise physiology and performance: heart rate, VO2, VO2peak and time to exhaustion were unchanged (p’s > 0.05). However, 300 mg decreased respiratory exchange ratio during the submaximal run (p = 0.030) and 50 mg increased blood glucose after the incremental run (p = 0.003). No dose altered muscle damage markers (creatine, myoglobin). A Treatment × Time × Sex interaction was found for lipopolysaccharide, with higher concentrations in females after the incremental run on 50 mg (p = 0.032) but not 300 mg. Conclusions: Acute CBD (50 mg, 300 mg) does not appear to alter the subjective experience of submaximal exercise, impact endurance performance or have compelling physiological effects; use by athletes is unlikely to be ergolytic or ergogenic at low to moderate doses.

 

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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), 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 § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).