Forget the outdated image of a stoner glued to the couch, barely able to lift a remote. New research is challenging this harmful stereotype, showing that cannabis use is actually linked to increased light physical activity. Whether it’s yoga, hacky-sack, disc golf, or even some bedtime activities, the data is clear… Weed users are more active than ever before.
Cannabis and Physical Activity: The Science
A large, new study has found that cannabis use in adults correlates with increases in certain types of physical activity. Even more interesting, no amount of cannabis use was found to increase sedentary behavior compared to a control group.
This research builds on previous studies debunking the old myth that weed users are lazy couch potatoes. In fact, researchers found that daily users had a 4% increased chance of engaging in light physical activity.
The recent study, published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (Xue, 2024), is the largest of its kind to date. It included data from 4,666 adults aged 18 to 59, collected from wrist-worn devices similar to FitBits that track physical activity levels 24/7. The study also incorporated self-reported cannabis use data from the past 30 days.
By comparing these two data points, researchers were able to determine whether cannabis use correlates with increases or decreases in sedentary behavior, light physical activity, or moderate to vigorous activity. The study also controlled for other factors that could influence the results, such as the use of other substances like alcohol, as well as socioeconomic and medical factors.
Weed Use Linked to Being More Active, Not Less
The results are clear: recent cannabis use did not lead to an increase in sedentary behavior. In fact, the opposite was true—weed users were more likely to engage in light physical activity than their non-using counterparts.
The study found no significant differences in sleep time or moderate to vigorous daily activity between weed users and non-users. However, when the data was broken down by age groups: 18-39 year-olds and 40-59 year-olds, some interesting patterns emerged.
Younger weed users (18-39 years old) were more likely to be active, while the older group (40-59 years old) showed no significant differences in physical activity or sedentary behavior compared to non-users. These findings suggest that cannabis may increase light physical activity in younger adults without impacting the activity levels of those in mid-life.
Frequent Weed Users Move More
The study also examined how the frequency of cannabis use affected physical activity levels. The results were surprising—frequent Weed users were more active than occasional users. In fact, the frequent smokers went on more hikes than those who only used cannabis occasionally.
This finding contradicts the long-standing stereotype that weed users are lazy. The researchers suggest that frequent users may have better tolerance and have incorporated cannabis use into their daily routines in a way that doesn’t hinder their activity levels.
What’s Your Motivation?
While these results are encouraging, the study did have some limitations. For one, it relied on self-reported cannabis use, which can introduce biases. Additionally, the study didn’t account for the motivations behind cannabis use. People use cannabis for a variety of reasons—some use it to treat conditions that limit physical activity, while others use it as an aid to enhance exercise.
At Herb Approach, we’ve heard from countless customers who describe smoking a bowl and then feeling motivated to stretch, garden, or get moving. And good for them! It’s clear that cannabis doesn’t have to be synonymous with laziness.
Debunking the Reefer Laziness Myth
The myth that cannabis use leads to laziness has been around for decades, fueled by anti-drug campaigns that depicted stoners as unmotivated and sluggish. Remember those old DARE ads where weed flattened a girl into a couch? Well, it’s time to leave that image in the past.
This new study is helping to paint a more accurate picture of how cannabis use affects activity levels. While being sedentary is linked to a host of negative health outcomes. Which, includes cancer, diabetes, and obesity, the evidence here suggests that cannabis use doesn’t necessarily contribute to these risks.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, this research shows that cannabis use is linked to increased light physical activity, particularly among younger adults. Are you a daily user or someone who enjoys cannabis occasionally? There’s no evidence to suggest that it will leave you stuck to your couch.
At Herb Approach, we’re all about helping you find the right strains and products to fit your lifestyle. So why not explore our selection and see how cannabis can enhance your activity levels? Let’s break the stereotype and show the world that weed users are anything but lazy.