Can Running or Exercising give you a High?

Ever wondered why giving a run or exercising consistently produces a different kind of high? Like a ‘feel good’ bubble bursting all over your body, equal to ecstasy? Scientists have found that the brain gets flooded with endorphins, a chemical related with mood changes, when the body is made to physically work out. Athletes and sportsmen often experience a blissful feeling, because of which, workout becomes more of a fun and addiction than a strenuous schedule.

The athletes describe this as – runner’s high. Endorphins kill pain naturally, and generate brain responses that relax the body on stress. PET scans on people who have felt euphoric changes revealed high endorphins in brain after a long run. The endorphins attach to brain areas linked to mood. Thus, the intensity of mood changes as a person exercise more and more.

Why Running can make you Feel Elated?

A study also concluded that when people hit the gym, their aggression or anger feelings on exercising, gets reduced, latter replaced by energy and motivation (positive aspects). The feel-good chemicals also influenced emotions working on prefrontal and limbic areas. These regions are involved with stimulation for love and romantic initiations. The state of runner’s high is similar to following a pleasurable activity.

The study also depicted that athletes suffering from pain responded better to once exercise regimen picked up. The participants could go on with workout and run, without complaints of pain, than they would have while pursing any other daily routine task. As endorphins eliminate pain receptors in neural system, it is possible that those with arthritis and body pain to use this technique in getting relief.

However, researcher advised that people should rather consult a trainer or professional before settling down for any workout regimen. Running also releases chemicals called cannabinoids that are the reason to motivate the ‘feel good’ state.

Are Athletes Addicted to Exercising? 

Another research showed that body gives out chemical compounds alike those seen in weed. Though produced in smaller amounts, these get through the barrier between blood-brain and reach the brain’s pleasure receptors. Thus, endorphins are the reason why workout is possible, while endocannabinoids are the ones that make you like the regimen. Thus, athletes could get addicted to exercising, so that they work out greater than earlier. However, after a point the stress hormones break in. Doctors advise against overdoing running.

Though the brain chemicals would be making athletes feel great, they need to space out the schedule, as the body joints and muscles on repeated friction, get affected. It is normally seen that sportsmen develop muscle, bone, or joint related health issues as they grow older than those who exercise just moderately. So, even if running gives you a high, do not overdo it.

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