How (and Why) to Exercise When You’re High, According to Reddit

There are a few classic activities that pair well with weed: watching funny movies, listening to music, raiding the kitchen. But let’s not forget that it’s also possible to run or stretch at heights, as long as you do it responsibly.

Why You Should (Maybe) Try Exercising While High

As one Reddit user wrote in a thread about running high on food, “It made my music sound better, made me feel more connected to nature, added miles and got rid of pain. Horrible. Now I can’t help but eat before running.”

Other runners joined in, agreeing that cannabis makes long runs less boring, less pain, and more enjoyable for the sights and sounds of running, especially trail running. One added: “It’s great when you’re on the trails just connecting with nature or running the streets at night in December checking the Christmas lights.”

It was once believed that the legendary “runner’s high” (not a real high, just a good feeling during or shortly after a run) comes from the endorphins released during exercise. More recent research, however, points to endocannabinoids , homemade versions of the chemicals found in marijuana. If this is true, cannabis simply enhances the feeling that many of us get from running in one way or another.

The herb is also popular among yogis, although one recent discussion has been divided between those who felt that the high helped them meditate and relax, and those who felt it prevented them from truly getting in touch with their body. However, if you enjoy doing yoga while high, there are “ganja yoga” classes designed specifically for that.

Lifting weights at height doesn’t seem to be as popular as a rhythmic or meditative activity, but there are definitely people who swear that cannabis helps the brain-muscle connection in bodybuilding-style workouts (where you do a lot of reps with dumbbells, for example).

How to train high if you want to try

For safety reasons, it’s important to think things through before you start. Definitely don’t drive to (or out of) the gym high. If you will be walking, choose a route that you can run without getting lost or wandering into an unsafe area. And consider working out with a friend who is n’t high. With these safety tips out of the way, let’s discuss some of the ins and outs of an enjoyable workout.

Start exercising and then get up

The biggest hurdle many of us face when exercising while high is that when you’re high, often the last thing you want to do is get off the couch and expend some energy. Reddit runners have a simple solution to this problem: time your consumption so that the effects take effect after you start your workout. If you’re planning on a long run where you’ll be out for a few hours, you can eat edibles, then get dressed and maybe have a pre-workout meal, and by the time you’ve hit your second or third mile, you’ll start to feel a high coming on. Or use the vape pen when warming up for your next session on a stationary bike or yoga mat. You get the idea.

Try at home first

Another important point emphasized by redditors in many different topics is to make sure that everything is familiar from the first time. Don’t plan on chewing marijuana at the start of a marathon if you’ve never been high before.

Use a method or product you’ve used before and stay in a familiar environment (like your home), especially if you’re prone to anxiety. Once you know how you react and how you enjoy the experience, you can become more adventurous.

Use a lighter dosage

Many of the cannabis-loving runners have noted that they use less grass for exercise than if they were just walking. Half the dose seems like a good rule of thumb. So if you usually take 5mg gum, try 2.5 for your next run.

Traditionally, Sativa strains are considered better for activity. But the sativa to indica ratio isn’t always a reliable indicator of how you’ll feel. Some Reddit users recommend using something with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD . Your experience may also vary from one product to another; food supplies are known to be changeable. In general, use something familiar.

Plan ahead for snacks and dry mouth

Especially if you’re going for a run, you need to make sure you can get water if your mouth gets dry. (It’s also even more important to plan ahead if it’s going to be hot or if the weather is otherwise potentially dangerous; for example, you might not notice signs of dehydration.)

If you’re exercising for health reasons and you’re afraid you’ll eat a big bag of Cheetos and lose your diet, you’ll be pleased to know that fruit can be a heavenly treat when you’re high. . Make sure you have a ripe mango ready. Or, to quote another Reddit user: “Have you ever eaten a super ripe tangerine while high? Juicy, sweet, tangy perfection. Bring you strawberries. Dip a few cherry tomatoes in balsamic vinegar and salt. So good.”

Why you might not want to train while high

While many Reddit users approved of the experience, some tried to train while high and discouraged it.

One common complaint was that changing your perception of time is a double-edged sword. While many people find that the miles fly by, others feel like they’ve been running for hours when only a few minutes have passed. If you are doing a workout where exactly what pace you go at or what technique you use is important, cannabis can interfere with that as well. Some runners said they enjoyed being high when running easy or long distances, but they weren’t focused enough to run their best run.

And just like cannabis can help you connect with your body, some people felt like they were too aware of their bodies and their surroundings, which is frustrating.

Even if you’re having fun exercising while high, another potential problem is that you can get so used to it that you can’t (or don’t want to) train without it. Judging by the number of people who said they always get high when they exercise, this seems like a legitimate concern.

If you are competing in a banned sport, this is another reason why you should be wary of strenuous exercise. The World Anti-Doping Agency says THC is legal out of competition (so it’s okay to get high in your free time), but athletes get busted when they use the weed so close to a competition that it still shows up in doping controls.

Finally, you may want to know about the impact that being in a cocktail can have on other people. One Reddit user complained that their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu partners were so stoned they couldn’t fully participate. So if you’re going to train while high, remember to be considerate of others.