As wellness culture accelerates, a new cohort of runners, hikers, lifters, and yes—yogis—are openly pairing cannabis with their practice. Far from the “couch-lock” stereotype, research shows many adults now co-use cannabis and exercise to boost enjoyment, ease aches, and make recovery feel gentler. In states with legal markets, roughly eight in ten cannabis consumers report using it shortly before or after workouts, citing motivation and pleasure as major benefits.

Yoga sits at the center of this shift. The slow, breath-led pacing of asana can complement low-dose THC or CBD by lowering perceived stress and sharpening interoception—the sense of what the body is feeling. More than a decade ago, teacher Dee Dussault helped normalize the pairing with “Ganja Yoga,” framing cannabis as a mindful accent rather than a shortcut to flexibility; that concept now echoes across community classes and at-home flows.

What does the science actually say? Evidence is evolving, but several threads are consistent. In a 2024 University of Colorado Boulder experiment, participants reported more enjoyment and less pain during exercise after using cannabis, yet objective performance did not improve. Earlier work from the same research group linked co-use with more weekly minutes of physical activity, challenging old assumptions about inactivity among cannabis users. Meanwhile, systematic reviews and sports-science summaries note that THC can raise heart rate and alter cardiovascular responses at submaximal intensities—useful context for anyone planning a strenuous flow or long run.

Motivations are practical, too. Many active adults choose CBD-dominant products for post-class soreness, sleep quality, or joint comfort, mirroring the broader boom in the wellness economy, which reached an estimated $6.3 trillion in 2023. Still, the performance picture is mixed: recreational runners have reported slower paces after THC even when workouts feel more fun, underscoring the difference between enjoyment and speed.

Risks and cautions deserve equal airtime. Cardiologists and public-health researchers warn that smoking or vaping high-THC products can acutely elevate heart rate and blood pressure; observational data associate daily use with higher odds of heart attack and stroke, particularly among people with existing risk factors. These studies don’t prove causation, but the signal is meaningful—another reason to favor noncombustion formats and conservative dosing.

Best practices are emerging from studios, coaches, and early research. Start low and go slow, reserving stronger doses for recovery hours rather than pre-class. Prefer edibles with predictable milligram amounts or fast-acting sublinguals over smoke before breathwork. Aim for CBD-forward ratios when mobility, inflammation, or anxiety reduction is the goal; save higher-THC products for mellow yin sessions, not inversion workshops or tempo runs. Always skip driving to class or training while impaired, and follow local laws.

The bottom line: cannabis is unlikely to turn a vinyasa into a personal record, but for some adults it can help them show up, feel present, and enjoy the process—and that alone is a win for long-term adherence. As legalization broadens and studies accumulate, expect more nuanced guidance on dose, timing, and delivery for specific activities. Until then, listen closely to the body, keep safety first, and treat cannabis as a mindful, optional tool within an already intentional lifestyle.