I Don't Need Heroin, Running Is My High

Running is one of those things that I never understood. Maybe it's because running makes me want to strangle myself with my shoelaces. Maybe because I'm never late. Maybe it's because I don't believe in a running unless something is chasing you (bears, dogs, cops). So I have never had a runner's high.

However, research has shown the existence of a "runner's high" which can also become addictive. Using rats, scientists have shown that a release of endorphins during running is comparable to opiate use. It is speculated that running can be used as therapy for heroin and morphine addicts.

During long runs, glycogen (which are sources of energy) stores become emptied and glands in the brain release endorphins that allow the person to keep going.

The experiment had 44 male and 40 female rats divided into 4 groups:

• rats with a wheel and food availability 24hrs a day
• rats with no wheel and food availability 24hrs a day
• rats with a wheel and food availability for 1 hr
• rats with no wheel and food availability for 1hr

The rats where subjected to these conditions for several weeks then given a drug used to treat opiate addicts and causes withdrawl symptoms. The theory is that the more endorphins or "high" from exercising would produce more intense withdrawls. Active rats had more withdrawl symptoms than their inactive counterparts. Rats given food for an 1 hr exercised much more and had even a more significant symptoms.