Adults with a history of cannabis use report exercising at rates equal to or higher than those with no history of marijuana consumption, according to data published in the journal Preventive Medicine

Investigators affiliated with the University of Miami and the Brookings Institution assessed the relationship between cannabis consumption and exercise frequency in a nationally representative cohort of over 12,000 subjects. Researchers identified a positive association between those who reported having used cannabis within the last 30 days and heightened physical activity. 

“Marijuana users are equal to or more likely to exercise than non-users,” authors reported. They further acknowledged that “the commonly held perception that marijuana users are largely sedentary is not supported by these data on young and middle-aged adults.”

Authors concluded, “As additional states legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, perhaps its impact on exercise, one of the leading social determinants of health, is not necessarily a primary concern.”

Prior studies assessing marijuana use and exercise frequency have reported similar results, including in older populations. Observational data has similarly identified an association between cannabis use frequency and reduced BMI and lower rates of obesity.

Contributed by NORML.

You may also like

There is something wrong with Feed URL