Who Can Experience The Runner’s High?

The Fast Facts

• Another study conducted by the University of Montreal in the year 2015 showed that dopamine is another neurotransmitter that helps in the sensation of runner’s high in the body.
• It can be state that “The feeling or experience that secretes from endorphins, produced in the body during exercise, makes you feel fresh, stress-free and relaxed, is the same as the runner’s high”.
• A study conducted by German researchers in the year 2008, found that when we run, a large amount of endorphins are produced from the prefrontal and limbic parts of our brain.

Do you know who can experience the Runner’s High? If your answer is NO. Then let’s discuss in detail. Experts recommended that running provide several positive health benefits. People are trying to get this benefits at convenience. There are some people who reach the park in the morning and used to running as a daily routine and gym goers complete this activity by running 10-20 minutes on the treadmill. Apart from these two types of people, the number comes from the third class that keeps protecting itself from running.

You may be aware during running the body produces endorphin hormones that give feelings of positivity and happiness as like other exercises. If you have ever run a long distance, it will be known how intense the desire to stop after a while. This is because, at that time you feel that you will fall now.

When you pause for a while, the experience is over. While you stop your body fights all the obstacles that were hindering your motion and once again you get ready. This is the same activity, colloquially known as “The Runners High”.

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It can be state that “The feeling or experience that secretes from endorphins, produced in the body during exercise, makes you feel fresh, stress-free and relaxed, is the same as the runner’s high”.

However, some recent researches have presented a different theory. According to them, various neurotransmitters, including endorphins, can be factors of the runner’s high.

Physical Cognition During Runners High.

The experience of runners High is usually for those who run long. For example, runners running in marathons who run more than 42 kilometers in each race. After a variety of chemical changes in the body, the runner’s high is produced. Some of them are following;

Endorphins.

A study conducted by German researchers in the year 2008, found that when we run, a large amount of endorphins are produced from the prefrontal and limbic parts of our brain. These are the parts of the brain that make us feel the feelings of love. Endorphins work just like opioid drugs. They have a sense of enthusiasm and also communicate with pain-relieving emotions.⁽¹⁾

However, the study also shows that it is very important to maintain a physical balance to experience the runner’s high. It arises only when you run a long haul. Recent studies also shows that the chemical that is produced while running, reaches the muscles directly and is also helpful in reducing the pain that occurs while running.

Anandamide Chemicals.

One of the reasons why you realize the positivity after exercise is the production of anandamide chemicals in the body. A research conducted on mice in the year 2015 was published in the US proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It found that the anandamide chemical develops the sensations of the runners. Anandamide is a type of endocannabinoid, which communicates good emotions in the brain.^(2),(3)

Dopamine.

Another study conducted by the University of Montreal in the year 2015 showed that dopamine is another neurotransmitter that helps in the sensation of runner’s high in the body. Running or exercising with physical effects also gives a positive effect on the mental health of the individual. Such as;⁽⁴⁾

• Improve sleep.
• Reduces stress.
• Reduces depression and anxiety.
• Increases memory.
• Prevents rapidly growing age.

Who Can Experience The Runner’s High?

The name of The Runner’s High is definitely related to race and sports but in fact it is not confined to running only. According to the scientists, the Runner’s high can be experienced as a result of any exercise done at reasonable technology and speed for a long time.

In addition to marathon running, high intensity interval training (HIIT), non-rest circuit training as well as other exercises such as swimming and cycling etc., can also be experienced.

Tips for Runner’s High.

Although there is no fixed parameter for the experience of The Runner’s High, yes, even if you reach the maximum as per the capacity of daily exercises, you can experience the Runner’s high. Practice with low-intensity exercise at the beginning which can be extended over time. Follow these tips for more benefits;

• It is not that you will become a marathon runner in one night. For this you have to gradually improve your speed and running period. In the beginning you can run 10-20 minutes, gradually increasing the duration and speed.
• There is also a need to pay special attention to your diet with the time and speed of running. A proper amount of nutritious food should be consumed.
• You can include high-intensity workouts like cross fit, weight training (exercises like deadlifts and kettlebell squats), circuit training in your daily exercise. First you set your target for a week. In the meantime, start running from a short distance and keep increase it slowly.
• Do not exercise more than the capacity for the Runner’s High. Keep the speed and duration of exercise according to your stamina. Set small goals and work on them. For example, if you run more than your capacity, it also threatens to have a running injury.
• The more comfortable the exercise is, the more profitable it is. Don’t rush to achieve your goal. It is also necessary to relax the body in adequate quantities from time to time during running.
• One mistake that most people usually make is rest immediately after running. It is not correct. After running, it is necessary to soothe the muscle heat by practicing mild exercises and stretching. Relaxing immediately after running may cause risk of having a delayed-set muscle soreness.
• You need to stay hydrated throughout the day to continue the running routine effectively. Dehydration of the body in any case during exercises should be avoid. In the event of dehydration, there may be a problem of muscle cramps or pain.
• According to a study published in medicine and science in sports and exercise, there is a deep connection to proper diet and the runner’s high. The study found that those who took proper diet an hour before running have a good experience of runner’s high. Those who took a diet four hours before running have not received the same experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions.

Bottom Line.

Runner’s High is a unique experience felt by people who have engage with physical activities such as exercise and running. This experience gives athletes mental strength that inspires them to achieve the goal while keeping them away from pain and fatigue during exercise or running.

While there is no prescribed criteria for The Runner’s High, you can get this experience, yes, you can get help in view of the following points.

• Determine your routine and work on it.
• Be excited and always keep the body hydrated. Stay hydrated all day, not just while running.
• Continue to motivate yourself to achieve the goal of exercise.

You can definitely improve your exercise and overall stamina with the help of above mentioned points. You can definitely experience the Runner’s high by improving the correct form and speed of the exercises. This experience will excite you just like athletes who keep running year after year.

+5 Sources

Freaktofit has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, educational research institutes, and medical organizations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date by reading our editorial policy.

1. Endorphins and exercise; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6091217/
2. A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice; https://www.pnas.org/content/112/42/13105.full
3. The Transcriptional Signature of a Runner’s High; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30557194/
4. The Truth Behind ‘Runner’s High’ and Other Mental Benefits of Running; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-truth-behind-runners-high-and-other-mental-benefits-of-running
5. What Are Opioids; https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/pain-management/opioid-treatment/what-are-opioids/