Freakonomics Radio Episode 663 — Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?
Air Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Stephen J. Dubner

This episode investigates the provocative question: Is cannabis a performance-enhancing drug? Stephen Dubner explores both the science and the personal stories behind cannabis use among athletes, most notably featuring legendary NFL running back Ricky Williams and psychologist Angela Bryan. The discussion transitions from the stigma of “the stoner” to emerging evidence about cannabis’ effects on health, fitness, and healing—raising questions about what "enhancement" really means.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Preconceptions vs. Reality of Cannabis and Athleticism

• Stoner Stereotype: Cannabis is typically associated with lethargy, munchies, and disengagement rather than athletic prowess.
  • Angela Bryan: “You’re imagining someone with a bong sitting on a couch eating Doritos. You’re not thinking of someone eating healthy and exercising.” (02:38)
• Emerging Evidence: Research suggests some cannabis users might actually be more active and healthier on certain metrics.

Timestamps:

• [02:38] Introduction of the cannabis-athlete stereotype
• [11:32] Bryan describes surprising health markers among cannabis users

2. Angela Bryan: The Science of Cannabis and Exercise (04:33–19:04; 53:00–53:40)

• Who: Angela Bryan, Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience at University of Colorado Boulder.
• Her Backstory: Cannabis helped her manage pain during breast cancer treatment, avoiding opiates. (06:35–06:54)
  • "With some trial and error...I managed to make it through the entirety of my cancer treatment without ever taking an opiate." (06:37)
• Physiology:
  • The endocannabinoid system exists throughout the body and influences exercise.
  • Runner’s high is likely a result of internally produced cannabinoids, not endorphins/opioids. (09:11–10:40)
    • "When we're physically active, we release a bunch of these endogenous cannabinoids...There's a lot more evidence now that it's the cannabinoid system that's responsible for the runner's high." (09:11–10:40)
• Cannabis and Performance:
  • Studies from the 70s found cannabis diminished power and oxygen utilization—direct performance enhancer? Probably not. (12:00–12:05)
  • Cannabis can make exercise feel more enjoyable and motivate repeat activity, even if people perform slower and perceive more effort. (12:10–13:44)
    • “The most common [reason athletes use cannabis] was because it makes exercise more enjoyable. The other one was motivation.” (12:25–13:44)
• Practical Barriers in Research:
  • Legal/federal constraints limit double-blind studies; researchers must contend with complexity and variability in products and human response. (14:14–16:17)
• Potential Indirect Enhancement:
  • Cannabis is supported for benefits in pain management, sleep, anxiety, and recovery—much like ibuprofen is "performance-enhancing" in how it helps athletes stay in the game. (18:45)
    • "If you wanted to look at it that way, something like ibuprofen is also a performance enhancing drug because it helps people to recover after a hard workout.” (18:45)
• Legal Developments:
  • Rescheduling cannabis federally would not resolve most regulatory barriers to research, contrary to popular belief. (16:17)

3. Ricky Williams: Cannabis, Career, and Healing (19:04–53:00)

• Who: Legendary NFL running back, cannabis advocate, and now healer/entrepreneur.
• Early Experiences and Turning Point:
  • Tried cannabis in high school and early college but didn’t become a user until senior year; used it during a challenging season to cope with heartbreak and injury. (23:10–25:49)
    • "It was the first time in weeks that I wasn't obsessing about the girl...I started to imagine myself playing better. It just shifted my focus." (25:21)
  • After using, set back-to-back 300-yard games—a personal anecdote, not proof, but powerful in narrative. (25:49)
• Cannabis in the NFL:
  • Used weed for relaxation, stress relief, and recovery—not as “doping,” but as self-care amid physical and mental pressure. (27:13–29:54)
  • Navigated NFL drug tests with elaborate strategies (“extra clean” drink), but eventually failed tests, entered mandatory programs, and was suspended. (29:57–32:58)
  • Felt stigmatized and criminalized for his cannabis use, despite its role in personal well-being and performance. (31:27–32:36)
    • "Something that I found was beneficial to me and helped me perform and make everyone money and make everyone happy—it was something that I hid…I turned into, like, a criminal and a drug addict." (31:27–32:36)
• Retirement and Redemption:
  • Retired temporarily after failing a test, traveled, pursued healing, yoga, and self-understanding. (33:01–41:20)
  • Returned to the NFL to “align character and reputation,” seeking not only athletic but personal redemption. (49:34)
    • “If I can come back and be myself more…my character and my reputation can align more, that I have a shot.” (49:34)
  • Became an inspiration and model for freedom and self-care among younger athletes. (50:17)
    • “Because of you, we have more freedom in how we can be as a professional athlete.” (50:17)
• On Rate of NFL Cannabis Use:
  • “I’d say 70 to 75 [percent].” (51:29)
  • Asserts many athletes use it for stress and pain, as an alternative to ambien, vicodin, or NSAIDs. (51:36)
    • "I think you’d be stupid to not at least consider cannabis as a means of taking care of yourself." (52:11)
• Personal Healing Philosophy:
  • Sees cannabis and alternative practices as ways of connecting to one’s true self and coping with trauma, both physical and emotional. (47:04–49:15)
    • “Alternative medicines…all of them have a spiritual basis that says the root of all illness is not knowing who you truly are.” (47:04)
    • Cannabis can help process and reframe trauma, facilitating healing and growth. (48:20–48:45)
      • “Do you think cannabis helps you get to the truer version of the story?”
        “Yes, exactly. 100%, yes.” (48:23)

4. Changing Society and Sports Culture (52:11–53:40)

• Policy Shifts: Major American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) have significantly eased cannabis restrictions; some, like the NFL, are funding cannabinoid research for pain.
• Attitude Change: Public and institutional perceptions are shifting, with more acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate option for athlete recovery and health. Ricky now operates a cannabis company (“Heisman”).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela Bryan on the Stigma: “All of this runs completely contrary to the stoner, you know, with the bong on the couch eating Doritos.” (11:32)
• Ricky Williams on Finding Relief: “[Cannabis] just shifted my focus. The next two games I had back-to-back 300 yard rushing games, which is still a record. That was the first time I saw, okay, maybe this could help.” (25:21)
• Angela Bryan on Human Nature: “If you have a brain, you try to alter it.” (53:00)
• Ricky Williams on Reputation vs. Character: “I was realizing how far apart my character, my reputation were. It was one of the most uncomfortable times of my life.” (38:34)
• Ricky Williams on Legacy: “You can tell the story of staying true to who I am, it worked. You can do it. You could do it.” (51:16)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:38] Angela Bryan dispels the lazy stoner myth.
• [12:00–13:44] Scientific findings on cannabis and exercise.
• [18:45] Debate: Is cannabis a performance enhancer by indirect means?
• [23:10–25:49] Ricky Williams’ early cannabis experiences and breakthrough.
• [31:27–32:36] Ricky on stigma and secrecy around use.
• [41:20–49:34] Ricky’s healing journey, return to football, and aligning character with public perception.
• [50:17–51:29] Ricky’s impact on athletes’ freedom and estimate of NFL cannabis use.
• [53:00] Angela Bryan’s “if you have a brain, you try to alter it” insight.

Conclusion

The episode reframes the debate about “performance-enhancing drugs” by broadening the lens: while cannabis is not a classic PED like steroids or EPO—it does not make athletes jump higher or run faster—it may enhance performance by helping with pain, motivation, and mental well-being, leading to greater consistency and longevity.

This broader, more nuanced discussion around cannabis in sports reveals as much about changing cultural norms and attitudes as it does about pharmacology. Through the lens of both research and lived experience, Dubner and his guests challenge listeners to rethink both the stigma and the possible benefits of mind-altering substances.

For listeners who want an in-depth firsthand story of the intersections between cannabis, athletics, healing, and self-knowledge, this episode is essential Freakonomics.