Are you guys familiar with the term "runner's high"? You can run your way to a better mood

[iloverachel]

The "runner's high" is a euphoric sensation that some people experience during or after intense exercise, often characterized by feelings of pleasure, reduced anxiety, and a sense of well-being.

Here's what we know about it:

• Endorphins and Beyond: While often attributed to the release of endorphins ("endorphin rush"), recent research suggests that other neurochemicals, particularly endocannabinoids, may play a more significant role.
  • Endocannabinoids: These are naturally produced compounds in the body that interact with the same receptors as THC in cannabis. They can produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief.
• Factors that May Contribute:
  • Intensity and Duration: A runner's high is more likely to occur during prolonged or intense exercise.
  • Individual Variability: Not everyone experiences a runner's high. Factors like genetics, fitness level, and individual sensitivity to these neurochemicals likely play a role.
• Research:
  • Research on the runner's high is ongoing.
  • Scientists are still investigating the exact mechanisms and the role of different neurotransmitters in this phenomenon.
    
    Let's get RUNNING!! (or any other kind of exercise)
    

Important Considerations:

• The runner's high is not guaranteed: It's not something everyone experiences, and it may not occur every time you exercise.
• Focus on overall well-being: The primary goal of exercise should be to improve your overall health and well-being, not solely to chase a runner's high.

 

[onthefence]

I learned that what I was actually chasing was hypoglycemia when I was running. The runners high is hard to achieve and doesn't always occur when you want it to. But running is good for your physical and mental health if you use it responsibly.

 

[WatchmeBurn]

Has never worked for me.

 

[RosebyAnyName]

I can confirm that it has worked for me. Instead of running I do HIIT for one hour, three times a week. I have a noticeable positive change in mood when I'm working out regularly.
The only problem is getting myself to go regularly. If I'm already in a down mood, I struggle to force myself to do anything, so sometimes intense exercise feels inaccessible.

 

[HopingOnaMiracle]

I have tried running and even on scheduals but i NEVER get any good feelings. Not even after workout. I do workouts once every week in a group because I'm supposed to do it

 

[whiskeyblanket]

Has never worked for me.

Same. Thought I was the only one.

 

[WatchmeBurn]

Same. Thought I was the only one.

Apparently there haven't been any proper studies of its prevalence (why not!?), but this one article says it's quite rare and that most people will never get it.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-truth-behind-runners-high-and-other-mental-benefits-of-running

Surveys have revealed runner's high to be rather rare, however, with a majority of athletes never experiencing it. "Indeed, many distance runners feel merely drained or even nauseated at the end of a long race, not blissful," says Linden.

 

[endofeverything]

i never got it, running made me feel actively awful, both during and after, both physically and mentally. doesn't matter anyway as i am no longer able to run.

 

[leftovercake]

This is true. I run alot and I feel alive again everytime I run. Works best if you listen to very vivid music or something that really makes you feel emotions. Used to be metal for me but now I listen to Japanese pop or Camellia's High bpm songs. I usually experience it at peak when I'm sprinting with all my might after already running all of a sudden my hot body feels cold and feel like I'm refreshed again for that slight moment of time till I sprint and when I stop running that feeling goes away and back to reality. That moment is pure ecstacy 100% would suggest. Although I feel like I have to search new songs because listening to the same ones to bring that ecstacy phase becomes harder after every use to a point when I don't like that song all that much anymore and it doesn't get me in that zone. You have to be excited to listen to that music. My trigger for that ecstatic phase is music and intense sprint. It feels exactly almost like those nitrous scenes from fast and furious when you use nitrous and the outlets get cold with NOS and collect frost. It's amazing

This is true. I run alot and I feel alive again everytime I run. Works best if you listen to very vivid music or something that really makes you feel emotions. Used to be metal for me but now I listen to Japanese pop or Camellia's High bpm songs. I usually experience it at peak when I'm sprinting with all my might after already running all of a sudden my hot body feels cold and feel like I'm refreshed again for that slight moment of time till I sprint and when I stop running that feeling goes away and back to reality. That moment is pure ecstacy 100% would suggest. Although I feel like I have to search new songs because listening to the same ones to bring that ecstacy phase becomes harder after every use to a point when I don't like that song all that much anymore and it doesn't get me in that zone. You have to be excited to listen to that music. My trigger for that ecstatic phase is music and intense sprint. It feels exactly almost like those nitrous scenes from fast and furious when you use nitrous and the outlets get cold with NOS and collect frost. It's amazing

My current choice for sprint phase is seimeisei syndrome - Camellia. Highly suggest to listen this on full volume and sprint with all your might you will not regret it

 

[J&L383]

I learned that what I was actually chasing was hypoglycemia when I was running. The runners high is hard to achieve and doesn't always occur when you want it to. But running is good for your physical and mental health if you use it responsibly.

I started running later in life and definitely gives me a boost. But now, 10 years later, my knees are wearing out and my feet are hurting all the time. .

 

[Higurashi415]

I never got it from running, heavy lifting kinda did the same for me though. I have to admit, during an acute depression phase lifting did literally nothing for me. I even struggled to get my heartbeat up. No adrenaline kicking, just nothing. So... I'm not sure it works all that well in some cases, but it certainly made my life better. I can't workout properly right now due to GERD (lifting made me puke and feel like shit the whole day, plus eating has always been a chore to me and GERD adds just another layer of difficulty), but I'll definitely get back to it. Maybe not like I used to, though

 

[SchrodingerIsDed]

Runners high is difficult to achieve. Here's a way exercise scientists have recommended:

Run as long as you can until starting to get annoyed. Say 8-15 minutes.
Walk half that time.
Run that amount of time again.
Walk half that time.
Run the original amount of time again.
Walk half that time.

If you continue that pattern, it creates a brain flush mechanism. You'll know you're getting there when you feel your head pounding. That's essentially your blood pressure going up and flushing out gunk and shit out of your brain. Well hopefully there's not shit in there, but you get my point. That should be the precursor to the runner's high. It can take all day, but it's nice. I tested it. Works pretty well for me. The key is you have to keep your heart rate up, but also you have to push yourself past your normal boundaries. I can run say 2-3 miles at one time, but then I'm blasted. If you intermittently add walking, you can increase the duration and cardiovascular load, which increases the blood pressure, which increases the brain flush, which causes runners high.

 

[neonzebra]

Unfortunately I've never got the high, and often I feel grumpy and anxious after running.