Thursday, April 27, 2006

Still Waiting

For the runners' high. Apparently,I am not alone in wondering about the reality of this phenomenon. According to this article in Tuesday's Washington Post, the "endorphin rush" was first identified in the 1970s in research done on marathon runners' blood levels. Later studies, however, showed that "endorphins don't cross into the brain easily. They get metabolized." On the other hand, some studies have demonstrated that exercise increases the levels of three key neurotransmitters, which are associated with elevated moods. On the other other hand, research has shown that just "walking for 30 minutes had a significant effect in depressed patients." But that was self-reported, so not conclusive.

Whatever. I can say that I'm off the antidepressant meds I was on for so many years, and I can directly attribute that to running. But that too is anecdotal, not scientific, evidence.

Even so, the "runners' high" eludes me. (Except when I set a new PR!)

8 comments:

Mark said...

Right ON about running helping you to get off meds! I am a BIG believer in the use of exercise to get the blood going and inject some of the chemicals our body produces naturally to make us feel good and alive.

And, if you want a great source of info on the Runner's High, check out Scott Dunlap's A Trail Runner's Blog article here:

http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2005/01/understanding-runners-high.html

21st Century Mom said...

Ah the elusive runner's high. I never got it before, either. I could get a swimmer's high but I attributed that to a lack of oxygen. Recently when I started running faster I started feeling better after my runs. Instead of just feeling wasted I felt happy. Runner's high or natural self-satisfaction? I don't know but try ust pushing yourself a little bit - NOT A LOT! Just a little harder. It really can hurt so good. Push and report back, please.

Nancy Toby said...

Yeah, no runner's high here either, but I believe there's beneficial mood effects of sunshine and fresh air, as well as, well, the exercise. But it's not like I'm HIGH or anything, dammit.

Rhea said...

The runner's high can be elusive, though I always feel much better AFTER the run. However, when I was charging up a hill the other night, I thought, "Huh. This feels pretty good. Who'd a thunk it?!"

By the way: I. Finally. Posted. The running skirt photos. And. I. am. DAMN. tired.

Bolder said...

getting off of the anti-depressant meds for many years is an outstanding accomplishment.

well.done.

personally, i get my biggest endorphin rush from swimming. i wonder if (no scientific evidence here) water stimulates the key neurotransmitters... now, do a triathlon -- and it is hello endorphin city!

of course, there's always chocolate... and sneezing... and, ...

Anonymous said...

No runners high here either- I thought that I experienced it when I first started running, but I think that was a lack of oxygen to the brain...

Rae said...

I get an awesome sense of accomplishment....when it's over! Today at Mile 10 I vowed I would never run again and immediately throw my shoes away when I got home. Once it was over I was happy as a lark and ready to go again!!!

onepinkfuzzy said...

I get a runner's high while running. It usually takes 10 miles though.