CBD trial found calmer feelings but no statistically significant running-time difference
A small crossover experiment tested subjective feelings, physiological measures and treadmill performance after cannabidiol. Feeling calmer did not translate into a demonstrated improvement in completion time.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Runners reported feeling calmer and more relaxed after CBD than after placebo, and perceived effort was lower at the halfway point. However, completion time did not differ statistically significantly. The trial found subjective changes without demonstrating faster running, and its brief testing period leaves repeated use and longer-distance performance unresolved.
Only 12 runners were studied, and the experiment tested an acute dose. The abstract does not report the interval between crossover visits or uncertainty around the running-time difference.
What researchers found
2-mile treadmill completion time
CBD versus placebo in an acute dosing experiment; time differences and confidence intervals are not reported.
Feelings and timed performance
Feeling calmer and perceiving less effort are different outcomes from finishing faster. The reported perceived-effort reduction concerned the halfway measurement, and the abstract does not provide evidence of a statistically significant improvement in completion time.
Other measured outcomes
No treatment differences were reported in gastrointestinal symptom severity, resting blood pressure or heart rate variability. These results concern the specific measurements and acute testing conditions; they do not establish equal effects or overall safety.
The original publication
The Effects of an Acute Dose of Cannabidiol on Health and Two-Mile Time Trial Performance-A Pilot Study.
Bell ER, Elias B, Gutierrez SM et al.
Nutrients · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41515147
- Record checked
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