663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?

The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug. Even the N.F.L. is starting to agree. (Part two of a two-part series .) SOURCES: Angela Bryan , professor, associate chair for faculty development in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Ricky Williams , former N.F.L. running back, founder of Highsman. RESOURCES: " Using A Lab On Wheels To Study Weed From Dispensaries ," by Science Friday (2024). " Exercise-induced euphoria and anxiolysis do not depend on endogenous opioids in humans ," by Michael Siebers, Sarah Biedermann, Laura Bindila, Beat Lutz, and Johannes Fuss ( Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2021). " Endocannabinoids mediate runner’s high ," by Sudhakaran Prabakaran (Science Signaling, 2015). " Cannabis and Exercise Science: A Commentary on Existing Studies and Suggestions for Future Directions ," by Angela Bryan, Arielle Gilman, and Kent Hutchison (Sports Medicine, 2015). Run Ricky Run , documentary (2010). EXTRAS: " Is America Switching from Booze to Weed? " series by Freakonomics Radio (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug? is an episode from Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher.

This episode is 00:50:52 long.

This episode was published on Feb 13, 2026.

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