Training with Cannabinoids (Part I): A Mindful Runner’s Edge

Marathon and triathlon training demand more than determination. They require balance between effort and ease, strength and endurance, recovery and restoration. As athletes prepare for the New York Marathon, many—including Team Dragon Hemp athletes—are exploring new ways to push performance further while accelerating recovery.

Among these emerging tools are cannabinoids—plant-derived compounds from cannabis and hemp that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help regulate pain, inflammation, mood, and energy. Once confined to the margins of wellness culture, cannabinoids are now gaining recognition within athletic and scientific communities for their potential to support endurance, recovery, and overall physical resilience.

First, we’ll explore how cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, and THCV may support the body before exertion, sustain it through performance, and restore it afterward. Drawing from current research and practical insight, we’ll examine how these compounds interact with the body to influence energy metabolism, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery—key elements in the build-up to a major endurance event like the New York Marathon.

In Part II: Recovery & Restoration, we’ll look deeper into the post-race phase and how cannabinoids can aid in muscle repair, reduce soreness, and support the body’s transition from exertion to recovery.

By understanding the physiology behind cannabinoids and their relationship to training, athletes seeking natural performance enhancers can make informed, intentional choices about how to integrate them into a broader performance and recovery framework—one that values balance, restoration, and long-term well-being.

The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a vital role in regulating performance-related functions, including energy metabolism, inflammation, pain modulation, and stress response. Training places these systems under immense pressure, and cannabinoids help recalibrate them.

By supporting homeostasis—the body’s internal balance—cannabinoids can make workouts feel more fluid, recovery more efficient, and endurance more sustainable.

Understanding how cannabinoids support homeostasis sets the stage for how each compound contributes uniquely to endurance, recovery, and resilience.

Each cannabinoid interacts uniquely with the body’s endocannabinoid system to influence energy, focus, pain response, and recovery. In the following sections, we’ll explore how these individual compounds—THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, and THCV—work in harmony with your physiology to enhance performance, sustain endurance, and accelerate healing.

Recent findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) highlight the intriguing role of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in physical performance. This cannabinoid interacts with pain-perception pathways, helping modulate fatigue and potentially extend endurance during prolonged exertion.

By influencing how the body utilizes energy, THC may improve metabolic efficiency, allowing athletes to perform longer before fatigue sets in. Its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects can also help moderate discomfort during exertion, enabling athletes to push through physical strain with greater control and composure. Beyond the workout itself, these same properties support faster recovery, helping runners return to training with less soreness and renewed stability.

Equally important are THC’s mental benefits. Low to moderate doses can foster focus, motivation, and mood stability while easing pre-race tension or anxiety. By engaging with the same neural pathways as endorphins, THC may enhance or complement the natural “runner’s high”—that euphoric state where effort feels effortless and movement becomes meditative. When paired with CBD, it encourages a state of calm concentration, the flow that many endurance athletes describe as the perfect balance between intensity and ease.

Incorporate with:

• Leisure Gummies — 5 mg hemp-derived THC balanced by CBD, CBC, and CBG delivers smooth, full-spectrum support for focus, endurance, and recovery.

At a Glance: Perfect before, during, and after demanding training sessions, THC can help improve stamina, reduce perceived exertion, heighten focus, and support recovery post-workout.

CBD (Cannabidiol) plays a particularly important role in training and recovery. Non-intoxicating and anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce muscle soreness, improve joint mobility, and enhance sleep quality—key pillars of long-term performance. It also pairs naturally with THC, balancing its more stimulating effects and creating a steadier, more grounded recovery experience.

Beyond its physical benefits, CBD calms the nervous system, easing mental tension and helping the mind recover alongside the body. Many athletes use it to unwind after training, quiet the mental chatter that follows competition, and support deep, restorative rest. For those seeking gentle, non-intoxicating support, CBD alone offers an effective path to recovery and overall balance.

Incorporate with:

• Recovery Tincture — Full-Spectrum CBD paired with traditional Chinese herbs such as Corydalis, Turmeric, Frankincense, and Myrrh provides targeted relief, reduces inflammation, and supports physical restoration.
  
  
• Calming Gummies — Full-Spectrum CBD offers clear, non-intoxicating calm that helps steady nerves before activity, maintain composure during effort, and support relaxation afterward.

At a Glance: Ideal before or after training, CBD helps calm the nervous system, reduce inflammation, ease tension, and promote clear recovery without intoxication.

Often called the “mother cannabinoid,” CBG (Cannabigerol) has demonstrated both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. For runners, it can help reduce muscle fatigue, support gut health, and promote sustained focus during long or technical training sessions.

CBG’s mental benefits are equally valuable: it may help improve alertness without overstimulation, supporting decision-making and body awareness — crucial for pacing, form, and maintaining rhythm over distance.

Incorporate with:

Leisure Gummies — CBG paired with THC, CBD, and CBC promotes physical ease, calm balance, and recovery after exertion.

At a Glance: CBG strengthens both mental precision and physical endurance, helping athletes stay composed and efficient when fatigue sets in.

CBC (Cannabichromene) enhances the benefits of other cannabinoids by binding to pain and inflammation receptors in the body. It works synergistically with other cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and THCV to create a balanced physiological response—reducing discomfort without dulling performance or awareness.

In addition to its physical effects, CBC has been linked to elevated mood and emotional equilibrium, helping athletes remain steady and positive through the mental fluctuations of intense training cycles. Its presence in Energy Gummies, alongside THCV and Lion’s Mane, supports both mental clarity and sustained energy, making it an ideal complement to physically demanding efforts.

Incorporate with:

Leisure Gummies — CBC paired with THC, CBD, and CBG promotes physical ease, calm balance, and recovery after exertion.

Energy Gummies — CBC combined with THCV, Lion’s Mane, and Yerba Mate supports clear-headed focus, steady energy, and resilience during performance.

At a Glance: CBC is the quiet harmonizer, optimizing the body’s systems while helping stabilize the focus and emotional composure needed for long, sustained efforts.

Known as the “energy cannabinoid,” THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) helps regulate blood sugar levels and energy metabolism, making it ideal for pre-run preparation or use during training.

Physically, it promotes a clean, steady source of fuel while helping prevent energy crashes. By supporting more efficient glucose utilization and fat metabolism, THCV may help the body shift between energy sources with greater ease—an advantage during endurance efforts where glycogen stores deplete over time. It’s also been shown to help reduce appetite spikes and improve insulin sensitivity, contributing to smoother energy output and sustained performance throughout longer runs or high-intensity intervals.

Mentally, THCV is associated with clarity, alertness, mood enhancement and motivation, making it especially beneficial for early-morning runs or competitive efforts that demand sustained concentration. It can help sharpen focus while curbing distraction and fatigue.

Incorporate with:

Energy Gummies — THCV and CBC are complemented by Lion’s Mane and Yerba Mate to support metabolic efficiency with mental clarity and drive without overstimulation.

At a Glance: THCV supports the full rhythm of performance, fueling both muscle and mind for the long haul.

A proper warmup starts from within. Runners can prepare their bodies not just through stretching but through biochemical balance—optimizing focus, energy, and mobility.

Energy Gummies, with THCV, CBC, Lion’s Mane, and Yerba Mate, activate smooth, sustained energy that complements the runner’s natural adrenaline response. Taken before training, they can help regulate blood sugar, sharpen focus, and enhance stamina.

For those seeking a more grounded state, Leisure Gummies offer a calmer start, pairing THC and CBD to ease pre-run tension and open circulation without lethargy.

Long-distance running tests not only stamina but also the body’s relationship with pain, fatigue, and rhythm. Here, cannabinoids like THC and CBG can help modulate the perception of exertion, allowing runners to maintain effort longer and move more comfortably.

Balanced microdosing with cannabinoids supports focus, coordination, and body awareness. By calming the nervous system, reducing the mental and physical friction that can disrupt flow, and enhancing communication between mind and muscle, cannabinoids can improve neuromuscular efficiency—the body’s ability to activate muscles in sync, conserve energy, and sustain optimal movement patterns. This integration helps athletes tap into established muscle memory for smoother pacing, steadier breath, and a stronger ability to maintain form under fatigue. The result is a more connected running experience and greater consistency from one training session to the next.

Recovery is the continuation of training, not the end of it. Post-run, CBD and THC help reduce inflammation, calm muscle spasms, and promote repair. Recovery Tincture, featuring Full-Spectrum CBD and time-honored herbs like Corydalis, Turmeric, and Myrrh, aids circulation and speeds muscle recovery. The tincture’s dual heritage—part modern science, part traditional Chinese medicine—reflects Dragon Hemp’s philosophy of healing through harmony. Follow with Calming Gummies in the evening to deepen rest, replenish energy, and prepare for the next day’s miles.

We'll dig deeper in to post-run recovery in Part II.

For decades, cannabinoids were overlooked by endurance athletes because the only way to consume them was through smoking—an obvious nonstarter for anyone who depends on their lungs. Now, with smoke-free forms like gummies and tinctures, athletes can access the full benefits of cannabinoids without compromising respiratory health.

Equally important, these formats are precisely dosed and easily adjustable. Gummies provide a consistent, measurable experience—each serving delivers predictable effects and longer-lasting support to help maintain focus, reduce soreness, and promote recovery. Tinctures offer the same precision with added flexibility, allowing you to fine-tune your dose before, during, or after training for faster absorption and targeted results.

Whether you’re gearing up for speed work, heading out for a long run, or winding down after, gummies and tinctures make it easy to integrate cannabinoids into your training with confidence, consistency, and control—no smoke required.

While cannabinoids can offer meaningful benefits for endurance, recovery, and balance, athletes should approach their use thoughtfully—just as they would when adding any new supplement to their training regimen. Products containing THC can temporarily elevate heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks for individuals with underlying cardiovascular conditions during intense activity. Anyone considering cannabinoid use for performance should be aware of these potential effects and monitor how their body responds, particularly during high-effort sessions.

In addition, many sports organizations still classify THC as a prohibited substance, and testing positive can result in penalties, suspension, or loss of sponsorships. Before incorporating cannabinoids into your training, consult a medical professional and review the anti-doping regulations specific to your sport to ensure safety and compliance.

Training isn’t just about output. It’s about recovery, adaptability, and longevity—the true markers of sustainable wellness. Cannabinoids engage these systems from the inside out, helping runners build endurance, ease pain, and sustain progress without burnout.

As research evolves, the evidence becomes increasingly clear: cannabinoids, and THC in particular, can extend endurance, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery by working in harmony with the body’s natural healing mechanisms. They also support mental balance and body awareness, helping athletes tap into muscle memory and reduce the mental fatigue that can disrupt performance. In this way, cannabinoids don’t just restore the body—they refine its rhythm, allowing the mind and muscles to work together more efficiently.

And because quality sleep is where recovery and performance truly begin, cannabinoids play a vital role in improving sleep quality and duration, giving the body time to repair tissue, replenish energy, and consolidate gains from training.

In Part II: Recovery & Restoration, we’ll look deeper into this critical post-race phase and how cannabinoids can aid in muscle repair, reduce soreness, and support the body’s transition from exertion to recovery.

Every race leaves its imprint—not only on muscles and joints but also within the body’s regulatory systems that manage energy, stress, and inflammation. The post-race window is when true adaptation happens: where the work of training transforms into strength, endurance, and resilience.

In this next installment, we’ll explore how cannabinoids can accelerate that process. From easing muscle soreness and reducing inflammation to promoting restorative sleep and resetting the nervous system, these compounds help the body transition gracefully from exertion back to equilibrium. We’ll also look at how integrating cannabinoids with traditional recovery tools—nutrition, movement, and mindfulness—can create a complete, modern approach to healing for endurance athletes.

Read: Part II: Recovery & Restoration.

Dragon Hemp is the practitioner-founded apothecary that produces plant-based therapeutics formulated with a proprietary blend of next-generation botanicals and time honored herbal remedies.

For people seeking treatments that give relief & address the root cause.

Our herbal remedies are innovative and user-friendly, with wellness benefits that are effective & accessible to everyone.

So you can feel like yourself again.

Kevin Menard, LAc., is the leading practitioner in Sports Medicine Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine on the East End of Long Island, with clientele ranging from business executives and fitness professionals to wellness gurus and weekend warriors.

As he cultivated his practice, Kevin began integrating CBD & other cannabinoids, native botanicals, and herbs into his treatments, addressing conditions like pain, musculoskeletal injuries, insomnia, overall wellness, and so much more. 

Following the promising results from his herbal and CBD-infused treatments, Kevin expanded his work, introducing Dragon Hemp to support patient wellness beyond his clinic's walls.

Our Apothecary in Sag Harbor, New York was conceived as a beacon of rejuvenation and wellness in the Hamptons. Much more than a dispensary, at the core of the Dragon Hemp Apothecary is a commitment to education and understanding the benefits of time-honored herbal remedies synthesized with today’s advancements in cannabinoid research. 

Offering an array of products designed to align with the wellness needs of the Hamptons community, the store seeks to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern applications, making herbal medicine more compatible with our lifestyles today. Our unique apothecary in Sag Harbor not only represents a physical space but also embodies Dragon Hemp's ethos of premium, all-natural, effective wellness solutions, drawing from the rich heritage of the Hamptons and the innovative spirit of New York.

Not your conventional dispensary, our first-of-its-kind retail location, harmoniously balances tradition and innovation with an emphasis on experience and education. We invite you to step inside and let our herbal experts guide you on an exploration of the rejuvenating power of cannabinoids and traditional herbs in a setting that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Designed in collaboration with renowned Alfredo Paredes Studio, the apothecary embodies a sophisticated fusion of old-world tradition and contemporary application. Known for his 33-year tenure as Ralph Lauren Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Alfredo Paredes, a master of crafting memorable retail experiences, helped transform the space into a shining gem of Sag Harbor. Reflecting the premium, natural, and therapeutic essence of Dragon Hemp, every aspect of the store, including the unique furniture pieces from Paredes' line, contributes to an ambiance of refined tranquility and wellness. The design echoes a classic herbal pharmacy blended with a modern aesthetic, mirroring our brand ethos of contemporizing ancient herbal medicine for today’s applications. Read more about our Apothecary design in Forbes.

Standing out on Main Street in Sag Harbor with the glow of our distinctive neon sign, our unique retail store has become a design destination of its own -- beyond just wellness -- in one of the Hamptons’ most popular villages. Whether you’re looking for potent natural therapeutics to tackle pain & inflammation or legal THC products to enhance mood or improve sleep, our apothecary is your safe haven at 108 Main Street.

Our products are formulated to serve the four crucial daily needs most often seen in Kevin’s practice—Essential Wellbeing for comprehensive health, Rest & Restoration to foster rejuvenation, Aches & Pains for relief from discomfort, and Liniments for body care that enhances both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Available in four versatile forms—swift-absorbing tinctures, targeted balms, discreet gummies, and moisturizers—we ensure a suitable choice for every lifestyle and wellness routine.

We carefully select our organically grown ingredients, emphasizing sustainability to protect Earth's biodiversity. 

We believe in transparency in all our processes, from ingredient selection to the methods used by our CBD farmers, who lead the sustainable agriculture charge and concentrate on ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.

We're not just about products but about nurturing an understanding of traditional herbal practices and helping people make healthy decisions. 

With respect, we introduce newcomers to the benefits of age old herbal wisdom. 

Our aim is a future where well-being stems from nature, combining timeless knowledge with today's research.

Discover the distinctive characteristics of each herb in our Ingredient Index.