Euphoria, Really, Like This?
If you're looking for that envious, euphoric feeling at the conclusion of a workout, you're not alone. The runner's high appears to appear magically at the conclusion of your journey, making you grin and become more joyful, and is one of the nicest consequences of any run.
Many people have reported reduced tension, discomfort, and anxiety, as well as exhilaration, as a result of exercising. What causes this "runner's high"? You might be surprised by a new study on exercise neurology.
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Endorphins have long been linked to the "runner's high." These are substances generated in the body of humans and other animals in reaction to exercise, pain, and stress.
A new study, on the other hand, compiles nearly two decades of research on the subject. We discovered that exercise consistently raises levels of the body's endocannabinoids, which are substances that help the brain and body maintain balance, a process known as "homeostasis." Some of the good benefits of exercise on the brain and body may be better explained by this natural chemical surge.
Exercise has several health advantages.
Exercising is good for your physical health, according to decades of studies. These studies consistently reveal a relationship between varied levels of physical exercise and a lower risk of premature mortality and a slew of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease.
More recently, during the last twenty years, a growing body of evidence suggests that exercise is also good for mental health. Regular exercise has been linked to a reduction in the symptoms of anxiety, depression, Parkinson's disease, and other mental health and neurological issues. Exercise is also connected to increased cognitive function, a better mood, less stress, and a stronger sense of self-esteem.
It's still unclear what's causing these improvements in mental health. We do know that exercise has a number of impacts on the brain, including boosting metabolism and blood flow, encouraging neurogenesis (the development of new brain cells), and increasing the release of a variety of chemicals in the brain.
Neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factors, are some of these molecules. BDNF plays a key role in brain "plasticity," or changes in brain cell activity, such as those associated with learning and memory.
Exercise has also been demonstrated to raise blood levels of endorphins, a natural opioid produced by the body. Opioids are brain chemicals that have a number of functions, including the ability to ease the pain. Early 1980s study led to the long-held public assumption that endorphin release is linked to the euphoric sensation known as the runner's high.
Endorphins cannot enter the brain across the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from toxins and infections, therefore experts have long questioned their significance in the runner's euphoric experience. As a result, endorphins are unlikely to be the primary driver of exercise's positive benefits on mood and mental health.
Does runners high feel like cannabis high?
You may be familiar with cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive component found in cannabis (derived from the Cannabis plant) that makes people feel high. You may also be familiar with cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis extract found in a variety of foods, pharmaceuticals, oils, and other goods.
However, many people are unaware that humans manufacture their own versions of these compounds, which are known as endocannabinoids. These are little lipid – or fat – molecules that circulate in the brain and body; the term "endo" refers to those made in the body rather than in a lab or from a plant.
Endocannabinoids act on cannabinoid receptors present throughout the brain and body. They offer several advantages, including pain relief, anxiety and stress reduction, and better learning and memory. They have an impact on hunger, inflammation, and immune function.
It's important to note that instead of going for a run or a bike ride, one should consider smoking or swallowing cannabis. Endocannabinoids do not have the negative side effects of getting high, such as mental impairment.
The following are some symptoms of chasing a runners high:
Ignoring injuries and running through the discomfort.
Running makes it difficult to do one's job (To accommodate a busy schedule, leave work early or return late.).
Running has a negative impact on one's personal life (Missing significant personal occasions such as weddings or birthdays in order to run, or running in front of family or friends).
When skipping runs makes you feel scared or anxious.
Overtraining is defined as exercising when you are weary, in discomfort, or in excess.
Appetite loss.
Inability to get a decent night's sleep.
Excessive weight loss is a condition in which a person loses.
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