Runner’s High

You have heard of this phenomenon and perhaps even experienced it yourself but what is it?

Unfortunately the feeling you get from running (or most any exercise for that matter) doesn’t hang around for all that long. If you have felt it you want more of it. If you haven’t, perhaps you should give it a try. This thing we call ‘runner’s high’ is built into the very workings of our physiology. It is the release of hormones that when properly balanced make you feel great. Actually…wonderful.

I have never been ‘high’ from any sort of legal or illegal drug but I do understand why people keep pursuing that feeling. It is one of the reasons I run. Yes I like to be fit. Yes I like the challenge that comes from working out and becoming better and stronger and faster. But if you ask me why I run my most common answer is I love being outside experiencing the great outdoors, the trails and I love the way it clears my head and helps me keep my sanity. In other words, I love the feeling of the ‘runner’s high.’ It does clear my head and enable me to get centered and balanced again. It is a sense that the world is okay and that my worries are not quite as big as I thought.

Here is what actually happens to make me feel that way:

1. A little known substance called phenylethylamine is released.
2. This molecule in turn causes a whole host of responses that trigger a number of ‘happiness’ hormones.
3. These are primarily Dopamine, Oxytocin, Seratonin and any of a number of endorphins.

More specifically here is a summary of what these various hormones do in the body:

Dopamine—known as the ‘happiness hormone’ it makes you feel really good. It is one of the pathways wherein people experience the feeling of being rewarded. It triggers one or more pleasure centers and also helps us think and plan.

Oxytocin—affects feelings of attachment and affection and also stimulates the autonomic nervous system greatly reducing risks of cardiac over-exertion.

Serotonin—mood balancing hormone that helps regulate attention and behavior.

Endorphines—hormones (peptides) that activate the body’s opiate receptors. When endorphins bind to receptors of the central nervous system dopamine is released.

You may have noticed that the feeling of a ‘runner’s high’ does not last very long. There are a number of reasons for this but the primary reason is that phenylethylamine does not last very long in the brain. In fact it barely last 15-20 minutes so learn to enjoy it while it lasts.

So the next time you experience ‘runner’s high’ you now have a general idea of what is happening inside your brain to make you feel so good.

There is a way to access this feeling even outside of exercise or running. I consume a couple of nootropic functional products every day that help not only to create an even better experience from running but enables those same hormones to remain elevated and balanced for much longer throughout the day even without exercise. If you want to learn more you can go here (sorry this link is not working at the moment but will be available shortly).

Thanks and Blessings!