<p>Systems and methods for drilling operations may use encapsulated explosives to complement the performance of downhole cutting tools. An exemplary method may include drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a downhole cutting tool; circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore, wherein the drilling fluid comprises a base fluid and an encapsulated explosive having an average diameter of about 10 nm to about 20 microns; triggering detonation of the encapsulated explosive; and detonating the encapsulated explosive proximal to a portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the downhole cutting tool.</p>
