Freakonomics Radio

663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?

February 13, 2026

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  • Research suggests that cannabis users exercise more and have better health metrics (lower BMI, lower rates of Type 2 diabetes) than non-users, contradicting the stereotype of the sedentary stoner. 
  • Cannabis may not enhance athletic performance directly (e.g., power or speed), but it can enhance the emotional experience of exercise, making it more enjoyable and thus increasing motivation for future activity. 
  • Former NFL star Ricky Williams views cannabis as a 'healing drug' that helped him manage anxiety and trauma, leading him to prioritize his character over his public reputation, which ultimately led to his retirement from football. 

Segments

Cannabis and Exercise Research
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The endocannabinoid system, not endogenous opioids, is now believed to mediate the runner’s high.
  • Summary: The endocannabinoid system releases cannabinoids during physical activity, which interact with receptors in the central nervous system and dopamine system, explaining the euphoria associated with exercise. Epidemiological data suggests cannabis users exercise more and have better body composition metrics than non-users, contradicting the ‘stoner’ stereotype. While cannabis users feel better while running, studies show they may run slower and perceive the exertion as harder.
Researcher’s Personal Cannabis Use
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(00:05:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Research informed the professor’s successful use of cannabis for pain control during breast cancer treatment, avoiding opiates.
  • Summary: The researcher used edibles for pain management during cancer treatment because their slow onset and long duration were suitable for chronic pain control. Edibles are popular among older adults and cancer patients seeking sustained relief, whereas smoked or vaporized forms are better for acute pain. The endocannabinoid system has receptors throughout the body, and fewer receptors in older adults might explain their different responsiveness to cannabinoids.
Cannabis Research Hurdles
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(00:14:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Legal restrictions prevent researchers from conducting ideal double-blind placebo-controlled trials for cannabis studies.
  • Summary: The researcher utilizes a mobile pharmacology lab (the Canavan) to test products in participants’ homes, though they cannot provide the product due to regulations. Researchers use various methods like ecological momentary assessment via apps to gather data on cannabis use and effects. Changing cannabis’s federal status from Schedule I to Schedule III is unlikely to significantly open research opportunities until full federal legalization occurs.
Ricky Williams’ Early Cannabis Use
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(00:23:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Ricky Williams first used cannabis during a period of intense emotional distress in his senior year, leading to improved athletic performance.
  • Summary: Williams initially associated cannabis with the party culture and avoided it until a breakup and injury caused him to seek relief from obsessive thoughts. His first positive experience involved using cannabis to ‘chill’ and shift focus, immediately followed by two record-breaking 300-yard rushing games. He views his relationship with cannabis as primarily ‘healing’ rather than recreational, contrasting with the public perception of it as a party drug.
NFL Drug Policy Conflict
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(00:27:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Williams’s success in the NFL coincided with his use of cannabis, which led to failed drug tests and subsequent mandatory enrollment in the substance abuse program.
  • Summary: Williams failed his first drug test after being traded to Miami because the testing schedule shifted to the offseason, leading to mandatory counseling and frequent testing. He successfully gamed the system for nearly two years using a detox drink called ‘Extra Clean’ before failing a third test, which triggered severe penalties. Failing the third test prompted Williams to retire at age 27, feeling liberated from a life where his beneficial self-care was treated as criminal behavior.
Healing, Trauma, and Return to Football
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(00:40:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Williams returned to the NFL after a spiritual awakening because he believed aligning his character with his public reputation was necessary to share his healing message effectively.
  • Summary: Williams found immense personal growth and discovered his sensitivity was valued while traveling and studying alternative medicine, contrasting with the judgment he faced in football. He realized that the structure of football allowed his aggressive drive to be rewarded, but he needed to develop other parts of himself once that drive was fulfilled. He returned to the NFL believing he could play while being more authentically himself, thus validating his message that staying true to oneself works.
Post-Career Perspective and NFL Shift
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(00:50:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Williams believes his willingness to be a rebel opened doors for current athletes, estimating 70-75% of NFL players now use cannabis to manage stress and pain.
  • Summary: Williams sees his career as a testament to staying true to oneself, evidenced by the University of Texas honoring him despite his past controversies. He suggests that players who don’t manage the stress and pain of professional football using some means, including cannabis, will not succeed. The NFL has significantly relaxed its cannabis policies, even funding research into cannabinoids for pain management, reflecting a broader shift in major sports leagues.