Belgian Researchers: Cannabis Not Associated With Sedentary Lifestyle

Historically, one of the most common stereotypes perpetuated by cannabis opponents, mainstream media, and films is that cannabis consumers are lazy and unmotivated. However, the results of a recent study conducted in Belgium directly contradict that portrayal.

Researchers affiliated with various health and academic institutions based in Belgium conducted a study examining cannabis use and levels of physical activity. The study’s findings were published in the academic publication Journal of Cannabis Research.

“Several studies have suggested a positive effect of occasional cannabis consumption on the frequency of leisure-time physical activity, possibly due to more motivation before, more enjoyment during, and better recovery after engaging in leisure-time physical exercise. While such an effect would contradict the stereotypical image of lower physical activity levels in cannabis users as compared to non-users, evidence has been mixed at best. The current study investigated this proposed association in a representative sample of the Belgian population.” the researchers stated about the focus of their investigation.

“Data from four waves of the Belgian Health Interview Survey (HIS; repeated cross-sectional survey; 2001 – 2018) were used in a regression and propensity matching analysis to examine the association between past-month cannabis use and physical activity levels, while controlling for potentially confounding variables.” the researchers stated about their study’s methodology. “A total of n = 19,936 individuals (48.9% female) aged 15-64 years were included in the analysis. We modelled physical activity in function of past-month cannabis use while adjusting for potential confounders.”

In my discussions with skeptics and cannabis opponents over the years, I often point out that a long list of successful professional athletes have admitted to cannabis use. I previously partnered with 18-year NBA veteran and All-Star Clifford ‘Uncle Cliffy’ Robinson and appeared alongside him in the Netflix film Grass is Greener prior to his tragic passing in 2020. He is a glowing example of someone who consumed cannabis throughout his life and was also very physically active.

One thing that Clifford always said was, “cannabis can absolutely be a part of an active lifestyle,” as evidenced by his lived experience. This recent study in Belgium goes to the heart of Clifford’s claim.

“Both the regression analysis and the propensity-matching analysis revealed no evidence in favor of a positive effect of past-month cannabis use on physical activity level (estimated OR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.74, 1.28] and estimated RR = 0.90, 95% CI = [0.70; 1.16] respectively). Descriptive analyses of baseline characteristics suggested some clear differences between users and non-users that were in line with previous studies.” the researchers stated about their study’s findings.

“There was no evidence suggesting that past-month cannabis users have better or worse physical activity levels compared to non-users in the Belgian population aged 15-64 years.” the researchers concluded.

Whether someone is physically active or not is dependent on several factors. However, just because someone consumes cannabis does not automatically equate to them being lazy or physically unmotivated.

The results of this Belgian study build on numerous other peer-reviewed studies that have arrived at the same conclusion, in addition to a laundry list of real-world examples of athletes in elite physical shape who have also consumed cannabis during their successful careers.