What is “runner’s high”?

Have you ever finished running a long distance run and felt ecstatic, happy and motivated?  You might have heard people explain this type of feeling as a “runners high”. 

So, how and why do you get that feeling?  Your body produces endorphins and endocannabinoids when your body is going through physical stress/activity.  Prolonged running puts stress on your bodily functions, no matter how well trained you may be, which causes you to then pump out these chemicals.  New research is coming out that endorphins work on the muscles to dampen pain and not the brain since they are unable to pass the blood-brain barrier whereas endocannabinoids trigger the brain.  Endocannabinoids can move easily through the cellular barrier separating the bloodstream from the brain, where these mood-improving neuromodulators promote short-term psychoactive effects such as reduced anxiety and feelings of calm. Endorphins and endocannabinoids don’t only kick in when your athletic performance peaks. All exercise releases these happy chemicals in some proportion, improving your overall mood. Many studies have linked decreased symptoms of depression with higher levels of physical activity.

Ways to push your body into producing these chemicals:  Run at 70-85% of your max intensity, run intervals, and/or run for longer distances.  Finding variety in your work out routine will also help increase the endorphins.  If you are not a runner, there are other types of physical activities you can partake in.  Try out biking, swimming, or rowing.  Endurance exercise is the common denominator when it comes to stimulating those amazing brain chemicals.