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Endocannabinoids Contribute To Runner's High

Posted by Soulskill on from the thus-begins-the-U.S.-war-on-running dept.

MTorrice writes: After a nice long bout of aerobic exercise, some people experience what's known as a "runner's high" — a feeling of euphoria coupled with reduced anxiety and a lessened ability to feel pain. For decades, scientists have associated this phenomenon with an increased level in the blood of beta-endorphins, which are opioid peptides thought to elevate mood. Now, German researchers have shown the brain's endocannabinoid system—the same one affected by marijuana's 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—may also play a role in producing runner's high, at least in mice.

10 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. DEA declares running illegal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a bid to short cut the supply lines of those "runners" getting high, the DEA has announced a maximum speed limit for unpowered human locomotion: 2mph. Those caught in pedestrian speed traps going over the 2mph speed limit will be jailed a minimum of 7 months.

    Kingpins of cartels like the Running Room and gyms will face stiffer penalties due to their "intent to traffic" and could face up to 8 or more years in federal prison.

    1. Re: DEA declares running illegal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Cannabis don't have to be smoked, it can be eaten. Peoples with psychiatric problem are more prone to substance abuse. The 1950 have called and they want their debunked argument back.

    2. Re: DEA declares running illegal by Pax681 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Harmless? Marijuana is linked to higher chances of developing mental disorders and other psychiatric problems. Not to mention the smoke is harmful for our lungs.

      I'll give you that alcohol and tobacco are far worse, but to call it harmless is just as wrong as to call it as dangerous as heroin.

      CBD is a fantastic anti-psychotic and is going under further research. and anything can unlock a genetic predisposition ... alcohol, light... anything can trigger it.. not just cannabis

    3. Re: DEA declares running illegal by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 3, Informative
      http://www.schizlife.com/the-s...

      http://blogs.psychcentral.com/...

      But where I first heard of th econnection was in a fascinating book written by Mark Vonnegut (son of Kurt) called "The Eden Express". In th elate 60's early 70's, he was living the good hippie life in Western Canada, and went schizophrenic, twice. He was eventually cured - dunno if that was the right word - but he's now a pretty well known pediatrician. But his issues largly stemmed from diet along with a predisposition to the issue. He noted that the cruel aspect of it was that it started by trying to be "good", and not cruel, so eating meat was a bad thing. So he got into a positive feedback loop

      Here's an old article from People magazine 1975 : http://www.people.com/people/a...

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
  2. Re:Arrested for running by Racemaniac · · Score: 3, Insightful

    All of them naturally, as they're already doing :).
    Why would you run if you don't have anything to hide?

  3. Hmmm ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So if our brains are hardwired with receptors for this stuff, maybe it's time to actually look at it and evaluate it for what is is instead of this bullshit moralistic prohibition which is there to keep a bunch of religious assholes happy?

    Maybe start by stopping treating marijuana as a narcotic, when in fact it's nothing of the sort?

    The scientific facts have never matched the bullshit claims by the "just say no" crowd, so let's start making some actual evidence-based policy.

    1. Re:Hmmm ... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Um, Puritanism is the State Religion in the USA. They offer platitudes about separation of Church and State, but all the evidence points in the other direction.

      If drugs were illegal in the U.S. merely for puritanical reasons, why would they also be illegal in places like China, North Korea or Vietnam? The religion they all have in common is statism.

      The reason for outlawing them is simple: You belong to the state, and if you're taking illegal drugs, you're not being a productive member of society. If you're selling illegal drugs, you're not contributing to the welfare of the state in the form of taxes. It all goes back to statism. Of course, most statists don't like to admit this.

      Saying this as a pro-legalization Christian who also doesn't like puritanism/legalism/statism...

      --
      Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  4. Mice by Stephen+Chadfield · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mice get runner's high? No wonder they love those little wheels...

  5. "What's the matter with your eyes, boy?" by rmdingler · · Score: 3, Funny

    No sir, officer, just finished the morning run.

    --
    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

    Ernest Hemingway

  6. The argument from environmentalism... by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, if you go for (say) an hour's hard run, you're burning many hundreds of extra calories. That translates into "burning" (converting to carbon dioxide and water) a hundred or more grams of carbohydrate and protein, and/or tens of grams of fats. Worse, you need to replenish that energy with food-grade material, which most often has been farmed, trucked, and packaged, all of which consumes more energy. That one-hour run ends up cranking out hundreds of grams of carbon dioxide.

    If, on the other hand, you simply burn through one medium-sized joint, you're only combusting a few grams of plant material. I'll bet the total CO2 output is less than ten grams.

    Admittedly, there are health benefits to running. But at what cost to the health of the planet?