Scientists Offer $100 to Run While High
Researchers in the United States are looking to study how different levels of THC and CBD affect runners’ enjoyment, motivation, and pain. To do this, they are offering men and women the chance to run on a treadmill while under the influence—for which participants will be paid $100.
Study Details and Requirements
Scientists from the University of Colorado are recruiting men and women for a new research project. The main requirements for candidates are to live in Boulder and have experience using cannabis in combination with physical exercise. Men applying should be between 21 and 40 years old, while women should be between 21 and 50.
Researchers promise to pay $100 to everyone who completes all three stages of the study. During the first visit, participants will undergo a basic health screening and take a short run on a treadmill. The second and third visits will involve 30-minute runs. Throughout the study, participants will fill out questionnaires about their well-being and provide blood samples for analysis. During one of the longer runs, participants will be asked to consume cannabis (the form is not specified).
Purpose of the Research
“An increasing number of Americans are using cannabis in combination with physical exercise, but there is little scientific evidence about the potential risks and benefits of this behavior,” university staff explain. “We want to understand how different levels of cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), may affect factors related to regular physical activity, such as enjoyment, motivation, and pain.”
Context: Cannabis in Sports
Notably, three months ago, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) raised the question of removing cannabis from the list of banned substances in sports. This was prompted by the controversial suspension of runner Sha’Carri Richardson from the Olympics after THC metabolites were found during qualifying events.
WADA announced that in 2022 it would review research on cannabis use in sports and, based on the findings, either keep or remove cannabis from the list of prohibited substances. It appears that the University of Colorado’s research will be among the studies considered by WADA.