Runners High?

Question

I dont know if thats what its called ,but my friend told me that while you are running if you are really tired from running (while you are still running) that these chemicals in you body release and you can run for a longer period of time(while you are still running). Is it true? If it is explain to me how it works.

Answer 1

The phenomenon of a "runner's high" most certainly exists. I don't know that anyone actually claims that it does not exist, especially with the overwhelming evidence that it does indeed exist. In fact, a wide variety of activities produce this effect, including swimming and bicycling. Basically, you just need for perform an exercise continuously for a long period of time and your body makes it happen.

Until fairly recently, it was thought that a neurotransmitter (a messenger chemical in the brain that controls moods and emotions) called endorphins caused this effect. However, research in the 1980's called into question the hypothesis that endorphin release is the cause of runner's high, as was commonly thought. They found that the runner's high occurred in people, even when the effects from endorphins were blocked.

This called into question the idea that a single neurotransmitter was the cause of runner's high. Since then, a number of other neurotransmitters have all been shown to help to reduce depression, and they also tend to be released and produced in higher concentrations during exercise. That is why these other transmitters are now thought to be the cause of runner's high, although the jury is still out with respect to the exact details of the mechanism.

So, yes, a runner's high most certainly exists and it feels GREAT! Mine usually kicks in after about 4-5 miles also, which is probably why I rarely run less than that. :)

Answer 2

C'mon Matt, you ain't gonna get scientific proof sitting on the sofa. I've read about chemicals being released after a while that most attribute to a runner's high, but who really knows unless you're in the laboratory.

But I can tell you it's there but in many different forms depending on who you ask. Yes, there are days when you feel like you can run forever, when every muscle and joint in your body moves effortlessly, and when your lungs seem to squeeze every molecule of O2 with energy to spare. Trust me, for every run like this one you'll put in 10 runs that are more a struggle and mind-over-matter.

Answer 3

Here is the scientific explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runner's_high

It's something you really have to experience. When I was an avid runner (8-9 miles a day), after about 3-4 miles it felt like I was gliding. The only reason I would stop running is because my Wife to be would stop me after about 45 minutes. I never felt any pain and could run at a constant pace without worry.

Answer 4

I think for most people it's different. For me, sometimes it can kick in within 2 miles and sometimes it doesn't hit until mile 6. All I can say is that your effort is painless and it's comparable to floating at a consistent rhythm across the ground. Sometimes I get chill bumps just thinking about it. I feel very connected to something bigger. I feel connected to everything around me, the trees, the wind, the water, and nature. It's a very calm and soothing place to be when you're running because you really do feel like you can run forever. Hope you find it someday....

Answer 5

dude its called adrenilene and it feels good