CBD and Exercise: How They May Work Together to Support Brain Health

In recent years, there’s been growing excitement around two powerful tools for wellbeing - CBD and exercise. One comes from nature; the other from movement. Both have captured attention for their potential to support physical and mental health, and now, science is beginning to reveal just how deeply they might be connected.

A 2025 review published in the journal Sports explored what happens when cannabinoids (like CBD) and exercise meet inside the brain. Researchers from the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan examined how both influence key processes such as inflammation, blood flow, and neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to adapt and grow. Their conclusion was clear: while we still have much to learn, CBD and exercise may work through overlapping pathways to promote a healthier, more balanced brain.

This article breaks down that research into simple terms - to help you understand what’s happening inside your body when you move, recover, and perhaps use CBD as part of your wellness routine.

The Body’s Hidden Network: How the Endocannabinoid System Keeps Us in Balance

Deep within your body lies a complex network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s not something you can see or feel directly, but it quietly works to keep everything in balance - from your mood and energy to your sleep, appetite, and even brain function.

The ECS is made up of tiny receptors found in the brain, nerves, and immune cells. These receptors interact with naturally produced compounds called endocannabinoids. You might have heard of one of them: anandamide - sometimes nicknamed the “bliss molecule” because it contributes to feelings of calm and wellbeing.

CBD, a non-intoxicating compound derived from the hemp plant, interacts gently with this same system. Instead of directly binding to the receptors, it influences how they respond - helping the body use its own endocannabinoids more effectively. In other words, CBD doesn’t “override” your system; it helps it work as it’s meant to.

Interestingly, exercise also activates this very system. That familiar post-workout high or wave of calm after a run? Scientists now believe the ECS plays a major role. When you exercise, your body naturally releases endocannabinoids, which help regulate mood, reduce stress, and create that satisfying sense of mental clarity that often follows physical activity.

Inflammation and Brain Health: A Shared Pathway

Inflammation is the body’s built-in defence mechanism. It’s what helps us heal after injury or fight off illness. But when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can do more harm than good - especially in the brain, where too much immune activity can interfere with focus, mood, and recovery.

The 2025 review found that both cannabinoids and exercise appear to influence inflammation in ways that could support brain health. While the mechanisms are complex, the basic idea is that both can help the body restore balance after stress or strain.

During exercise, muscle contractions release myokines - small proteins that signal the body to adapt and grow stronger. Some of these myokines have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to counteract the stress caused by training. Meanwhile, CBD has been shown in animal studies to influence certain immune cells and signalling molecules, potentially helping to calm excessive inflammatory responses.

When these two effects are combined - the body’s own anti-inflammatory response to movement, plus the regulatory potential of CBD - the result could be a more balanced environment for recovery, both physically and mentally. This is particularly interesting for athletes and active individuals, who often face cycles of stress, strain, and repair.

Supporting Blood Flow: Why Circulation Matters for the Brain

A healthy brain depends on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, carried through an intricate network of blood vessels. When circulation is smooth, the brain performs at its best - processing information efficiently, regulating mood, and maintaining energy levels.

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve vascular health. Regular movement strengthens the heart, widens blood vessels, and enhances the body’s ability to deliver oxygen where it’s needed most - including the brain. But the 2025 review also highlighted how the endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoids like CBD, play a role in vascular function.

Certain cannabinoid receptors are found in the lining of blood vessels, where they help regulate contraction and relaxation. CBD’s interaction with these receptors has been shown in some studies to promote vasorelaxation - a fancy term for helping blood vessels stay open and flexible.

Together, these processes - better blood flow from exercise and potential vascular support from CBD - could mean improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. That’s not just important for athletic performance; it also matters for focus, mood, and long-term brain health.

Neuroplasticity: How the Brain Learns and Adapts

If the brain were a muscle, neuroplasticity would be its way of getting stronger. It’s the process by which our brains create and reorganise connections in response to new experiences, learning, and challenges. Neuroplasticity underpins everything from memory to recovery after stress or injury.

Exercise has long been known to promote neuroplasticity. Physical activity increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron growth and communication. Think of BDNF as fertiliser for brain cells - it helps them grow, connect, and stay resilient.

The research review also noted that cannabinoids, particularly CBD, may influence similar pathways. In animal studies, CBD has been linked to increased BDNF expression and improved communication between neurons in certain brain regions. It also appears to modulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and glutamate, which play key roles in mood and cognitive function.

This overlap between the effects of exercise and cannabinoids is what makes the findings so intriguing. Both appear to activate complementary systems that help the brain adapt, recover, and maintain balance. While more research is needed in humans, it’s possible that combining regular physical activity with plant-based compounds like CBD could provide a natural way to nurture brain resilience.

Real-Life Implications: Should you Use CBD?

So, what does all this mean outside the lab? While scientific terms like endocannabinoid signalling or neurotrophic factors can sound complex, the takeaway is surprisingly simple: both CBD and exercise support the body’s own ability to maintain balance.

For active people, this could mean using CBD as part of a recovery routine - whether to unwind after a workout, ease muscle tension, or simply support a sense of calm. For those just starting their fitness journey, it could mean that even moderate exercise helps activate the same internal systems that CBD gently supports.

Of course, everyone’s body is different, and the effects of CBD can vary depending on factors such as dosage, timing, and individual physiology. But as research continues to evolve, it’s becoming clear that movement and mindful supplementation may work hand in hand to support not only physical performance but also brain health and emotional balance.

The Science around CBD Products is Still Unfolding

The 2025 review also explored where the science might go next - from studying cannabinoids in concussion recovery to understanding their potential role in stress management and pain perception among athletes.

One area of growing interest is how CBD and exercise together might influence the endocannabinoid tone - essentially, how active the ECS is in maintaining balance throughout the body. Regular exercise naturally boosts this tone, and some researchers believe that CBD may help sustain it during periods of physical or emotional stress.

However, much of the current evidence comes from early-stage or animal research. Human studies are still limited, and scientists continue to call for more data on long-term effects, ideal dosages, and how individual factors - like age, gender, or training intensity - might shape outcomes.

What’s clear, though, is that we’re entering a new era of understanding how natural tools like CBD and exercise interact with one of the body’s most intricate systems.

CBD and Exercise: Moving Towards Balance

The story of CBD and exercise is, at its heart, a story about balance. Both work through the body’s natural systems - not to override them, but to support them. The endocannabinoid system acts as a bridge between body and mind, helping to regulate mood, inflammation, and brain function. Exercise activates it; CBD supports it.

While science continues to explore the finer details, the message is already compelling: staying active and supporting your body’s internal balance may be one of the most natural ways to nurture brain health.

At Harmony, we believe that wellness shouldn’t rely on extremes. It’s about everyday choices that help you feel grounded, focused, and well - whether that means a brisk walk, a yoga class, or a few drops of plant-based CBD oil.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Rajaei AY, Neary JP, Thompson ES, Singh J, Mang CS. Considering the Effects of Cannabinoids and Exercise on the Brain: A Narrative Review. Sports (Basel). 2025 Sep 11;13(9):320.