Author(s): MCCARTNEY, D., IRWIN, C., BAWA, Z., PALMER, B., SAHINOVIC, A., DELANG, N., COX, G.R., DESBROW, B., LAU, N.S., MCGREGOR, I.M., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, Country: AUSTRALIA, Abstract-ID: 462

INTRODUCTION:
Exercise is known to improve health. However, it can be unpleasant, often inducing negative feelings, or ‘affect’. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating constituent of the cannabis plant, has been reported to enhance the subjective experience of exercise; specifically, in trained individuals performing fixed-intensity aerobic activity (1, 2). Here, we investigated the effects of CBD on subjective responses to exercise in recreationally active individuals performing self-paced aerobic activity.
METHODS:
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted at Griffith University (GU) between July 17 and August 28, 2023. GU students studying sports nutrition were invited to participate. Fifty-five signed informed consent and 54, all ≥18 years of age and able to perform aerobic exercise, were eligible to take part. Participants ingested placebo or 150 mg CBD in two soft-gel capsules 90 minutes before completing a self-paced 25-lap (10 km) run around a standard outdoor athletics track (400 m, synthetic). The primary outcomes were affective valence during exercise, assessed on completion of laps 6, 12, 18 and 24 using the ‘Feelings Scale’, and positive and negative affect, assessed at baseline, pre-run and post-run using the ‘Positive and Negative Affect Schedule’. Exercise enjoyment, motivation and self-efficacy, the core features of the ‘runner’s high’ (i.e., euphoria, pain, anxiety, sedation), run time, and perceived exertion were also assessed. All values are median [interquartile range] on placebo vs CBD.
RESULTS:
Fifty-two participants were randomised and 51 were included in the final sample (n=22 female; age: 21.9 [21.0–25.3] years). CBD did not alter affective valence (Lap 6: 2.0 [0.0–2.0] vs 1.0 [0.0–2.0]; Lap 12: 0.0 [-1.0–1.0] vs 0.0 [-2.0–2.0]; Lap 18: -1.0 [-2.0–1.0] vs -1.0 [-2.0–1.0]; Lap 24: -1.0 [-3.0–1.0] vs -1.0 [-2.8–1.0]), positive affect (Baseline: 23.5 [20.0–29.3] vs 25.5 [20.0–32.8]; Pre-Run: 24.0 [19.8–30.0] vs 23.0 [17.0–30.0]; Post-Run: 26.0 [21.0–29.0] vs 27.0 [22.0–30.0]) or negative affect (Baseline: 12.0 [10.0–14.3] vs 12.0 [11.0–13.0]; Pre-Run: 11.5 [10.0–13.0] vs 11.0 [10.0–13.0]; Post-Run: 10.0 [10.0–11.0] vs 10.0 [10.0–11.8]) (p’s>0.10). The secondary outcomes were likewise unchanged (p’s>0.10). Of note, despite inducing negative affect and pain, exercise, once completed, increased positive affect, and decreased negative affect and anxiety (p’s<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
CBD (150 mg) does not appear to enhance the subjective experience of self-paced aerobic exercise in recreationally active individuals. Nor, however, does it appear to compromise it (or exercise performance). These findings suggest that CBD use is unlikely to impede physical activity participation. Our study also reaffirms the powerful mood-enhancing effects of exercise. Trial Registration: ACTRN12623000593639

REFERENCES:
1) Sahinovic et al. (2022) Sports Med Open. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00417-y
2) Gibson et al. (In Press) Sports Med. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01980-4