Runner’s high
run·ner's high. noun.
: A feeling of euphoria that is experienced by individuals engaged in prolonged running and is characterized by feelings of happiness, reduced anxiety, and a sense of well-being.
What is a runner’s high?
A runner’s high can be understood as a brief euphoric sensation experienced after a lengthy or strenuous run. It is caused by a combination of two things occurring in the body: the release of endorphins and increased levels of endocannabinoids into the bloodstream, thus giving a “feel-good” energy at the end of your run that transcends you into a deep state of relaxation.
How does running affect the body and brain?
Your body transitions as you get into a run. You’ll likely feel your breathing get heavier, pulse quicken, and heart beating faster as it is working harder to move oxygenated blood to your muscles and brain. As you get further into your run, endorphins are released throughout your body.
Endorphins
Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that are released throughout the body during pleasurable activities. They offer a range of positive effects such as pain relief and stress management. A common misconception about endorphins is their mood changing abilities. However, endorphins do not pass the blood-brain barrier and therefore are unlikely to contribute to the euphoric feeling of a runner’s high. That’s where endocannabinoids come into play.
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are natural molecules that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system aka the system affected by THC, the active compound in cannabis. Similar to endorphins, endocannabinoids are released into the bloodstream during a run but are small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier. High levels of anandamide, a type of endocannabinoid, have been found in people post-run and have psychoactive effects such as anxiety reduction, euphoria, and a feeling of calmness.
How do I get a runner’s high?
The truth about a runner’s high is it’s actually pretty rare and there is no exact science to achieving it because the euphoric feelings associated with a runner’s high is subjective and can’t be measured from person to person or high to high. Meaning, the euphoric sensation from the release of endorphins can feel differently depending on the person, their threshold for aerobic exercise and other varying factors. For example, one runner may experience a runner’s high after their 5-mile run, but another runner could feel it from a 15-minute jog. Experiencing a runner’s high is possible and any runner lucky enough to experience one will likely be chasing after that feeling in all their following runs. But don’t be discouraged or turned away from running because the precious “runner’s high” may not be as easily achieved as it has made itself out to be.
There are still a plethora of benefits running brings to your body and mind and while you may not experience that sacred “runner’s high” you can still get that “feel-good” energy pumping through you!
Some of the most common benefits of running include:
- Reducing anxiety
- Reducing feelings of sadness or depression
- Increased memory and focus
- Increased flexibility and mobility
- Increased immune system
- Overall health and weight maintenance
Runner’s high or not, running does wonderful things to the body and mind so get out there and get moving!
