The Science Behind the Runner’s High  More Than Just Endorphins

Having spent a lifetime enjoying the joy of running or a good walking challenge, the eustress (good stress). That generated a major part of my daily personal stress management plan and personal wellbeing program.

Now, we will explore the captivating realm of the “runner’s high,” dissecting the science that makes it a vital component of my wellness routine.

Happy Hormones and the Misconception

The science behind what physical activity does for our bodies has been heavily weighted around the release of endorphins which are a member of the ‘Happy Hormone’ family.

That fleeting sense of euphoria and calm that many people report experiencing after exercise has been credited to the release of endorphins into our system.

I have heard people say, “I can feel my endorphins are kicking in.”

Endorphins are the world’s highly noted peptide, however, their role in creating euphoria with exercise has now been proven to be not the case.

Our in-house drugstore dispenses endorphins which are the body’s opiates with receptors and actions much like those of pain-relieving morphine.

The endorphins, however, are composed of relatively large molecules, “which are unable to pass the blood-brain barrier,” said Matthew Hill, a postdoctoral fellow at Rockefeller University in New York.

Neuroscientific Success of Runner’s High

The famed runner’s high has now been found not from endorphins.

Neuroscientists are now claiming that the credit is due to endocannabinoids that flood the brain after intense activity.

The smaller molecules are made up of lipids that have a similar effect on the body as the active ingredient in marijuana.

Receptors in the brain and the body allow these endocannabinoids to bind to the nervous system.

This then sets off reactions that decrease pain and anxiety and generally help us to de-stress and feel relaxed.

Discovering the Endocannabinoid Connection

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that 50 minutes of hard running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle had a significant impact.

It increases blood levels of endocannabinoid molecules.

They found that a widespread group of receptors, clustered in the brain but also found elsewhere in the body act on the nervous system.

It sets off reactions that reduce pain and anxiety and produce a floaty, free-form sense of wellbeing.

These endocannabinoids are composed of molecules known as lipids, which are ‘small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier.’

The Emotional Effect of Endocannabinoids

Francis Chaouloff, from the University of Bordeaux in France, describes the effects of endocannabinoids. He calls them “pure happiness, elation, a feeling of unity with one’s self and/or nature, endless peacefulness, and inner harmony.”

This emotional effect adds depth to the joy of exercise, showcasing that the runner’s high is a holistic experience encompassing both body and mind.

WOW… the joy of exercise!