Runner's High: How a Movement of Cannabis-Fueled Athletes Is Changing the Science of Sports

by Josiah Hesse

Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind meets Christopher McDougall's Born to Run in this immersive, investigative look at the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes (as well as weekend warriors)--and the surprising emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating "runner's high" they all seek.


Pot makes exercise fun. The link between performance enhancement and cannabis has been an open secret for many years, so much so that with the wide-sweeping national legalization of cannabis, combining weed and working out has become the hottest new wellness trend.

Why, then, is there still a skewed perception around this leafy substance that it only produces the lazy, red-eyed stoner laid out on a couch somewhere, munching on junk food? In fact, scientists have conducted extensive research that uncovers the power of the "runner's high"--the true holy grail of aerobic activity that was long believed to be caused by endorphins. In an extraordinary reversal, scientists believe marijuana may actually be the key to getting more Americans off their phones and on to their feet.

In Runner's High , seasoned investigative journalist Josiah Hesse takes readers on a journey through the secret world of stoned athletes, describing astounding, cannabis-inspired physical and mental transformations, just like he experienced. From the economics of the $20 billion CBD market to the inherent inequalities in the enforcement of marijuana prohibition; from the mind-body connection behind the "runner's high" to the best way to make your own cannabis-infused power bars; Runner's High takes this groundbreaking science out of the lab and onto the trail, court, field, and pitch, fundamentally changing the way we think about exercise, recovery, and cannabis.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Audiobook, Health, Sports, Fitness

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2021

About the author

Josiah is a freelance journalist in Denver, Colorado. He writes about politics, marijuana and evangelical culture and theology, and is a regular contributor to the Guardian and Vice. He’s also had bylines in Esquire, Politico, High Times, and The Denver Post, and is the senior editor of the Denver arts and literature magazine Suspect Press.

An Iowa native and leading authority on 90s Christian rock, Josiah released his debut novel Carnality: Dancing On Red Lake in 2015. A psychological horror about growing up in an isolated farming community fueled by pentecostal Christianity and methamphetamine, the book was hailed as “one of the finest novels to come out of Denver’s burgeoning arts scene.”

Josiah just released his second book in the Carnality series, Carnality: Sebastian Phoenix and the Dark Star, which was written in part at Owl Farm in Woody Creek, Colorado – the longtime home of Hunter S. Thompson.

Reviews

[Thomas Noonan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Born to Run this is not. The author repeatedly talks about his own hangups without much of a journey aspect incorporated, so it comes across as negative and almost polemic at points (Repeatedly stating you think weed is great makes me re-think the occasional evidence you do provide here, talking about how you're an outsider because you didn't finish school and trying that approach while also using studies and the like didn't jibe, coming off as a party-guy, I'm here for fun and not competition type also was weird with how much he derides alcohol). There's plenty of things to cut here.

Some of the things are pretty interesting though, like the section about a professional ultrarunner who talks about the subject directly and the negative effect (in terms of perception) it has had on his career, or the naturally-occurring endocannabinoid section and how it relates to runner's high.

I'm not sad I went through it, but I wouldn't recommend it either. I felt only a very rudimentary and general introduction to the topic, which is not how I want to feel after reading a full non-fiction book on a topic.

[Emma Cairnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

just a girl who likes to get stoned and run.

had been smoking and running for a while already, but really enjoyed the science behind why those runs are so much better.

[Kelsie Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, my mind is completely opened up to a new outlook on pot. Im excited to experiment with what dose is right for my running and can’t wait to see wear it leads.

[3mi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen, es verbindet einfach 2 meiner Leidenschaften (textlich, anderweitig muss man die Verbindung selber machen). Es sind interessante Storys über Läufer:innen oder andere Leute, die mit und durch Cannabis Sport machen, anfangen Sport zu treiben u.ä. Außerdem ist es ein historischer Abriss über einige Jahrzehnte us-amerikanischer Kriminalisierung- und Legalisierungsgeschichte. Lesenswert.

[Runner's High® Cannabis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew to Colorado, got high, and went running with the author to celebrate this book.

First off, full disclosure. I could not be happier that my fledgling "cann-athletic" startup, Runner's High® Cannabis, shares its namesake with Josiah Hesse's groundbreaking new book, "Runner's High". When I heard about the forthcoming release of this book, I felt compelled to reach out to Josiah to extend a warm, neighborly introduction and welcome. I was eager to read his forthcoming book and contrast his experience, discovering, investigating, and documenting the intersection of athletics and cannabis with my own.

After exchanging a few e-mails with Josiah, I decided to take him up on an invitation to attend his book signing and release party in Denver. The book was not yet released, and I hadn't read a single page, but this posed little deterrence when compared with my excitement for the spontaneous opportunity to visit a place that I will always consider a home away from home. It was on a ranch overlooking the Gore Range of the Rocky Mountains where, as a backcountry ski bum in a tiny off-grid camper, I first discovered the transcendent bliss of running while stoned.

I find it notable that Josiah and I took dramatically different life paths to arrive at this revelation. Still, one passage from the first chapter felt like it could have come directly from the pages of my own journal during my time living in that camper high in the mountains.

" At the moment, in 2015, I have no idea how wildly popular blending cannabis and exercise is across the world and has been throughout human history, employed not only by athletes looking for a competitive edge or simply to increase the natural pleasure of working out, but also by farmers, fisherman, and workers of all stripes seeking relief from the pain and boredom of physical labor.
Up until this moment, I naively believed that I invented it."

This phenomenon of personal discovery, combined with an initial lack of awareness of the broader community of cannabis athletes, will become a theme that Josiah repeatedly encounters as he guides the reader through his charmingly playful adventures researching the intersection of cannabis and sports by which he affirms his claim that:

"In nearly every sport, Cannabis is as commonly consumed as ibuprofen."

As someone who had spent a lot of time thinking about the subject and not having read Josiah's previous publications, except for a couple of his excellent pieces in Vice and The Guardian, my main concern was that this book might take too superficial of a tack. I worried that even a fulsome and honest attempt to shed light on this subject might fail to capture the vast breadth of human experience and evolution into which both the natural runner's high and cannabis use are interwoven.

My fears, it turns out, were completely unwarranted. With a capable, and at times admittedly edible inspired eloquence, Josiah blends his own story and those of the scientists, medical patients, and cannabis fueled athletes he meets with refreshingly illustrative historical, political and scientific context. He also takes care to clearly and informatively break down the misinformation of drug war propaganda and systemic race-based stigmatization that unfortunately permeate our societal understanding of cannabis and cannabis users to this day.

Just like the astounding plethora of terpene profiles and cannabinoid combinations that the plant produces, there are seemingly endless topics that Josiah could have chosen to focus on in the book. From his (stoned on a treadmill) participation in a foundational study on the effects of cannabis on exercise at CU Boulder to my personal favorite, "Canines and Cannabis", about the insights and lessons we can learn from dogs as they tap into their own "natural cannabis" Josiah expertly dances through these ideas like a blissed-out trail runner floating over impossible terrain.

Josiah brings a keen awareness to some of the most subtle yet essential facets of high running. His reflection on the importance of playfulness, how cannabis can help foster it, and its seeming incongruity with competition is one example of the intellectual and emotional rigor on display in Runner's High.

Despite years of meditating (while running) on this subject, I was surprised by the most important takeaway I found in the pages of Runner's High. The very aspects that draw me to running high, the anti-competitive, misfit friendly, confident individualism that it allows and the contented blissful feelings of clarity and peace that I derive from running with my dogs in the woods. These are the very features that have isolated me from fully appreciating how large the high running community already is.

Thank you, Josiah, for shining a bright and hopeful light on this subject for those who have been unfairly sidelined from accessing this evolutionary shortcut to a healthy, blissful, appreciative state that we all should share as a birthright. Thank you for showing those of us who already discovered this secret that our community is far more extensive and diverse than any one of us would have imagined. As I mentioned during our run, it just might be that humans were born to run and to get high together.

[Addy]

I can definitely see where this book meets some criticism; I wasn’t a huge fan of using stereotypes of other marginalized populations to set the record straight about weed and stoners. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer that pot is the safest drug one can use recreationally, but it doesn’t need to be “better than” to earn defending.

At the end of the day, I’m just a girl who likes to take edibles and go for runs. I enjoyed my time here and nerded out over the science (even though I wish there was way more of it)

[Spencer Shatto · Rating 3 out of 5]

really good research and interviews in the first half, the last bit got into his cringe journalist/weed advocate life and was boring

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Get lit and get fit.” Experience the “spiritual, mental, and physical charms of running while stoned.”
“For me, it’s like a spiritual experience. Everything is perfect, everything is pure bliss. I’m in the moment, fully tapped into the trail, my body, and am loving every second of it.”
“Fitness can be a beautiful, euphoric form of communing with one’s own body if you can just stop comparing your own pace, reps, and waistline to everyone else’s and move your consciousness inward for a bit. Which is exactly what cannabis is best at (as long as you don’t take too much).”
What are the benefits of running high? Focus, relaxation, and a hard to describe but very real “runners’ high.” Distance running can be boring. Weed makes everything more interesting. It lets you focus on the rhythm of your stride and make tiny adjustments to your form. But really the combination of getting buzzed and running at good pace just feels amazing (with bonus points if the you’re listening to a good soundtrack or running in a pack.)
For both weed and exercise on their own, people often do way too much or too little. They don’t understand how combining them could ever make sense. The book calls this the biphasic nature of weed - a little gives you energy, too much makes you lethargic. It can be hard to find the right balance especially in a non-legalized state where you can’t always find edibles with correct dosages or flower with accurate THC percentages.
Is weed a performance enhancer? A lot of the claims for medicinal benefits of cannabis are hard to take seriously. The government makes it almost impossible to do real studies on a Schedule 1 controlled substance, the benefits claimed are so broad that they don’t seem realistic, and there is a growing industry with money to promote every positive study no matter how small. There’s also just a huge cultural overlap between weed and the magical thinking, “do your own research” crowd who aren’t known for their rigorous double blind studies.
People say that the biggest advantage of the super shoes isn’t the extra bounce they give you on race day, but that the thicker cushioning allows you to train harder and longer without getting injured so you’re in better shape when race day comes. There is probably a similar argument for weed. I’m skeptical there is anything about the mix of CBD, THC, and terpenes in weed that directly increases speed or endurance. But it makes training more fun and motivates you to run more miles, which is going to make you faster over time.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to support this book by writing a good review because I can see the reporting trying to be done in it. The issue I’ve encountered is that, in my opinion, the choice of tone goes beyond entertaining writing and trickles over into obliviously insensitive. The part where the author describes how Sabrina is a victim of sexism and treated differently due to being a female athlete is, itself, sexist in my opinion. Then there’s sentences like this one: “As a Jewish immigrant who had narrowly escaped a trip to Auschwitz (his father wasn’t so lucky)” which just leave me wondering how any editor felt like this was an appropriate phrasing choice to leave in. I think with a decent editor who had an eye for basic things that should and shouldn’t be said, and an attention to calling out the author on biases that shouldn’t be printed, this book could’ve been a lot better. It just fails on most pages for me. It’s a shame because I wanted to like it, and I do think the author has potential. He definitely needs a new editor, though, one who won’t let these phrasing and style choices — and the few grammar issues I saw (I almost never critique a book on its grammar, but some parts within this one just felt disappointingly lax, like not putting “whom” properly and other low-hanging fruit) — go unchecked. Overall disappointing. I had to force myself to keep reading after the insensitive Auschwitz description. (In case the author reads this, you could’ve edited your colloquial and lax first instinct to something more fitting to be printed in perpetuity, like this: “As a Jewish immigrant who had narrowly escaped a trip to Auschwitz (his father was unfortunately sent there).” Simple things like this would have fixed your book dramatically and made it accessible to more people than just a standard middle-aged Christian white man.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runner's High is a book by author Josiah Hesse. He discusses the rise of running while under the influence of THC. Although I say it is the rise of running while high, it's more like legalization has made it acceptable. Even then, it depends on where you are from.

All that I know about cannabis comes from movies and television. I saw Reefer Madness for a lark. I am too square to smoke anything, even cigarettes. So when I saw this book titled Runner's High, I didn't realize the whole implication of the title, even with the little marijuana plant silhouettes.

Hesse explores the effect of cannabis on athletic ability and examines its role in various sports. Cannabis is a natural analgesic and has many beneficial effects. I am woefully ignorant on this subject, so that was eye-opening in more ways than one. I watched Up In Smoke and several other marijuana-related movies, but I never got into the subject of legalization. Along the way, Hesse examines the reason for cannabis bans in the first place.

As I mentioned before, I am too square to smoke or take any kind of substance like cannabis. Initially, it was the illegal nature of the product that prevented me, but now without that excuse, I don't know why I don't. It's probably a force of habit by now.

Now Hesse comes from Colorado, a state where lawmakers spearheaded cannabis legalization, and I come from Wisconsin, a state where marijuana of any amount is illegal and subject to prosecution. Given all of this, I don't think I will be trying it any time soon. I am out of the loop, so I had to look up laws about Dispensaries.

Hesse ends the book on a hopeful note. The book is interesting, but marijuana in any form is not my cup of tea.

Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked this book, but some things I would have edited. Let's start with the negatives, first I get it that he's not that into competition, but it took up way too much of the book. Secondly, yes we all know cannabis is "better" than alcohol in many way just man was it drilled home in many chapters. I also really wish the section on advice to "run stoned" was better, it felt safe and lawyer-y. Argh.

Ok, the good stuff! I've read quite a few books on the cannabis industry and I appreciated Josiah's approach to the science, learned a ton about endocannabinoids (and especially the naturally occurring anandamide which causes the runner's high) as well as the role the Endocannabinoid system has across soooo much of our body. Man I wish there was more here. Also, he had an amazing opportunity to lean into the terpenes, like Humulene which is found in ginseng and certain cannabis strains, which has long been used in folk medicine for energizing effects. I more than anything learned a lot about the body and the affect cannabis can have (whether binge watching tv or running a marathon). Definitely recommend giving it a read.

[Amanda E.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Hesse's fiction work (Carnality I & II), I enjoyed his use of a narrative plot to drive forward the story in Runner's High, taking readers along on his journey of discovering that athletic competition and play can go hand in hand. Each chapter introduces new intriguing characters with stories of overcoming debilitating physical and mental setbacks that would deflate the average person. But through these characters, we see how a substance (cannabis) that's normally stereotyped as creating couch potatoes out of its consumers, instead transforms countless formerly inert folks into playful adventurers and high-achieving endurance athletes. As a cannabis user who imbibes to "enhance" my own physical activity, I'm excited that Runner's High exists to combat the old stereotypes and inspire readers to get up, get out, and move their bodies, and to remember that exercise is fun.

[Maggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josiah Hesse has a unique way of emotionally engaging with the reader through expressive, intelligent word choice. While he is transparent about his observations, interviews, and advice not being prescriptive, there is a healthy balance of objective and subjective information provided on the topic. He encourages readers who are interested in the topic to seek out other sources, even sources that are in opposition. You can tell, while being wildly progressive in his views, that he values education and non-partisan information. As an athlete and artist this was an eye opening read.

[Brian Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half Michael Pollan, half Chuck Klosterman, Runner's High is an expose on the effects of cannabis on exercise. The book's author, Josiah Hesse, debunks myths (such as the "lazy stoner"), interviews experts, and chronicles his own experiences with THC and running. You will learn a great deal about the science of stoned exercise and you may even be inspired to do some experimenting yourself. Highly recommended!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would listen/read this book to help open people's eyes regarding drugs/addition/legalization/stereotypes... There's a ton of great information in this book. He does a good job of telling facts in a story like fashion. I found his take on drugs very sensible. "Just because a substance stimulates the reward system of the brain, doesn't mean it can't be navigated responsibly." Amen to that!

[Jessika Affissio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I am proud to add it to my collection. Some content was already known to me and it was extremely validating to know how wide spread cannabis infused running really is. I learned some fascinating facts and really enjoyed the stories the author shared from his personal experiences.

[Megan Koblegarde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice and reporting. Loved how much I learned from it and was surprised by how much I already knew. The first time I learned about of anandamide it kinda blew my mind because endorphins was pushed into running culture. I think anyone who’s a runner or anyone who smokes should read this, to learn more about the science of running and of weed.

[Mandy Kass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt the author did a great job balancing his personal experience (positive and negative), research, professional’s experience and regulations. This is definitely a book sharing mostly positive ideas about cannabis but the author also shares cautions regarding overuse or misuse.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! Wasn't always antsy to pick it up but the info it provides is very interesting and well researched! This has changed my perspective on exercising and weed and I will be trying this out a lot more in 2024

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesse writes about sports and science the way Hunter S. Thompson wrote about politics. He employees his own experiences as the lens through which to explore the subject, and in the process arrives at a deeper understanding for his readers than they could have without the autobiography.

[Cora Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

another audio book slay. Very interesting discussion of the long history of cannabis use in athletic activity!! mixture of interviews and personal experience, both from the author and those he interviews. Plus abunch of sick research! i hate running! But maybe ill try running high

[Cole Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Interesting and fun. It is science-adjacent rather than scientific (the author really needs to separate anecdotes from evidence better) but still good. I did find the perpetual labeling of runners as jocks humorous. Still, fun and interesting.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would HIGHLY (see what I did there) recommend this book to anyone who may want to incorporate something new into their workout routine. This book had a lot of good information.

[Tiago Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting work about athletes (particularly long distance runners) and how they use cannabis for recovery and training.

[Peter Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, learned some stuff. Pretty readable. The topic is pretty cool, though it’s a classic case of a book that could be 125 pages being stretched out into 300.

[marlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m about to be soooo annoying when i move to boulder!! i’ve missed nonfiction i have so many lil facts now

[Henry Arndt · Rating 3 out of 5]

All stuff I already knew: being high while running is awesome.

[Zeryck Russon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discovered a few things about the trail running community that I didn’t know before. Inspired me a little to do some experimenting.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated the science and history bits.

[Mallory Zuech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and the whole concept. Agreed 100%.